One of the pads on my Le Mans 1 nearside front calipers is hard up against the disc, meaning the brake is dragging quite hard on the disc. It is the outer pad of the pair.
So do I …
1 Shim the caliper with washers between the caliper and mount points on the mount bolts
or
2 Skim down the pad on my belt sander (mask on of course !)
I think the bike was like this when I received it as it was very stiff to push from the van into my workshop.
What is the minimum pad thickness - I think the pads are close to new ?
I expect removing ~ 0.5mm will suffice, or otherwise using similar thickness shims. The caliper pistons are both fully retracted. The disc seems central
Right side and rear fit just fine.
Bizarre.
Shims between caliper and forkleg fitted as standard to Tontis, my Tontis at least. Checked the parts manuals ? Available online for free.
See: https://www.gutsibits.co.uk/pr/TheShop/index.php?q=Brake+caliper+shims&f=d&Model=0&search=SEARCH
1 Like
I would also suggest shim rather than skim 
Unless i misunderstand you it sounds like that pad is not retracting enough?
When you use hydraulic brakes the only “spring” that pulls the pistons back and lets the pads sit free of the discs is - the brake piston seals.
They are designed to sit tight against the pistons and twist as the piston moves so pulling it back when the pressure is released. Because this return effect is weak on more modern bikes this system is undermined by road dirt and salt crud.
If your bike is old enough there will be rubber ‘boots’ protecting the seals (like on cars).
SO remove caliper if there are boots, check for splits, clean pistons and replace boots
If no boots then just sigh and clean the pistons…
The calipers have all just been serviced and the pistons are fully home.
Obviously shims is the way to go. Thanks for the advice.
1 Like
as the calipers split in half it may be worth checking to see if the join is in the middle of the disc edge and shim accordingly.
2 Likes
Check the disc is sitting in the correct place and is not being pushed over to the left by a build up of paint on the wheel centre or back of the disc. Am I right in thinking the Le-Mans have spacers behind the discs? Are these correct and clean?
Have you got the wheel in the right way round? Does it work better the other way round?
Is the wheel pulled fully over to the right with the spindle nut? As Brian says above, the centre of the disc should line up with the centre of the caliper.
1 Like
I have just inserted a 1mm thick washer behind each mount bolt on the left caliper - now perfect.
I have not yet got as far as the wheels so will investigate these further soon.
Next part is starting the engine, and also see if the generator works with the new wiring and rectifier.
2 Likes