not a lot, but with the front wheel off the ground the brakes are dragging when I try and spin the wheel. is that normal? if not, whats the most likely culprit?

 

make sure your calipers slide on the bolts easily (nothing gumming them up) and that your pistons aren't frozen up

 

Deterioration of the brake lines could cause them to drag as well as trash clogs up passages in the calipers.

 

Another check: Take off the master cylinder cover. When you pull the lever (don't let it spill) a small amount of fluid should spurt to the surface of the reservoir. This is normal and must happen - if not, the tiny hole, which actually lets fluid into the master cylinder, (you can see it at the bottom of the reservoir) may be plugged. If this tiny orifice is plugged, you will get dragging brakes. I agree with the other comments - check the slider bolts first. But I couldn't believe how much cr$p was built up in my reservoir.

 

yeah, I do get that little squirt from it, that started happening when I went through a quart or 2 getting the front end bled and flushed last year, it was full of chunky mucus looking stuff. the PO before me and the guy before him are friends, and they still don't do maint on their new bikes lol!

 

My brakes are doing the same thing. I was going to check the pins. Does the caliper just slide off, or are they screwed on?

 

calipers are bolted to fork leg. but before unbolting them from the leg, remove the slotted caps that cover the pins. it's much easier this way if they are in tight and you are holding the caliper in your hand. after removing the caps, use an allen wrench to loosen or remove the pins. if they are in tight or stuck, spray som penetrating oil and let them sit. this is one place you do not want to strip the head.