Hey all,

I've been looking for an answer on the interwebz for a while now, with no luck. So decided to register and just ask, hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

I have a 2000 CBR F4, 27000 km on the clock (~ 17000 mi)... Most of the bike is stock, well kept from previous owner, and I wanted to keep it that way.
The only real issue so far for me is the feel in the front brakes. Yes, its a 20 year old bike, but just doesn't give confidence stopping... So I decided to upgrade the brake lines to a symmetrical stainless steel configuration (one line to each caliper from the MC, common banjo). Bled them correctly, feeling in the lever is much better. However, stopping power is still not as desired, just feels a bit vague. To be clear, I'm not the "knee down" type of rider, I ride spiritedly now and then, but nothing too extreme.
At one point when I parked after I ride, I touched the rotors and the right one was significantly cooler than the left. I did an experiment, went for a ride around, with minimal use of the front brakes, both discs were cool after. Which means the left one is not dragging, but more likely the right side doesn't get enough pressure. Took the calipers out, cleaned everything that could be cleaned, SBS pads from prev owner still have more than 50% in them, rotors show minimal sign of wear also... No change after that, left disc still feels like its working much better than right one.
So question is: Why would the right side not be getting enough pressure? No air, no leaks, pistons move relatively free, pads seem ok.
I'm thinking of rebuilding the calipers and new pads anyways, but if anyone had/knows of this type of problem and how to tackle it, would be much appreciated!

Cheers,
Paco

 

switch the lines over on the MC and see if the problem follows the outer/inner line - if so it's the banjo bolt.
switch the lines left and right on the callipers - if it follows the line, it's a bad/crimped line.
If it sticks with the same calliper regardless, it's the calliper.