My 1985 K100 has had a very firm lever feel to the front brake since I purchased it just over a year ago. The lever does not travel very far before the brakes engage. It appears to have the original master cylinder fitted which has "13" cast into it and it has the original 2 piston calipers with "HEL" braided lines and Metalgear pads and rotors.. The brakes do not bind or drag but are "super powerful" with the least amount of pressure on the lever. I am used to it but a mate had a ride on it the other day and grabbed a handful of front brake and nearly had a nasty accident because of it. Does anybody have any idea ideas why they are so touchy?

Both my '84 RT and '89 LT both had a similar problem. Brake lever felt more like an on/off switch.
I found that taking the brake lever pivot bolt out, giving it a clean up and applying a little grease helped.
The pivot bolt can get dry or corroded and doesn't allow the lever to move smoothly.
Worth a try.

Steve,

Questions I would offer would be, is it linearly progressive..or grabs right now.?

Used to run jap sport bikes that were brake upgraded and they would put one on one's ear easily if not knowing that the brakes were that good. There was a fine touch for the brakes and they got used hard, and all that was fine after using them for a bit.

Comberjohn, will try your suggestion and see if that makes a difference, sometimes it is easy to overlook the obvious. JimK it is hard to describe exactly what is going on but the lever doesn't have a lot of travel and you get very strong braking with the lightest touch of the lever. The brakes are that strong they make the brakes on my 2001 model Yamaha FZ1 seem puny. There may be a lot of power but not a lot of feel or progressiveness and for someone not used to them it could bring them down. Will go and grease the pivot now.

Obviously you are not a new guy to riding...and are uncomfortable with the brakes.
Copy that.
That ain't good.
Sure that others that know will shout out soon.
Good crowd here will certainly offer more thoughts.
I've ridden things that didn't stop well in the past.
Try to do that part better now...

One problem I had with the k75 was that where the lever touches the piston had become worn and uneven so that I would have to pull on the lever without result then it would go suddenly and grab. Might pay to have a look when the pivot is out.

Have just taken the lever out and it was dry in there, so have cleaned everything up and greased the pivot bolt which showed minimal wear. Also greased the bolt hole in the lever and put a small amount where it touches the end of the piston. The lever had no wear either in the hole or where it pushes on the piston. Haven't had a chance to take it out for a ride but will report back. It has the feel of a bike that has the wrong size master cylinder fitted, but it has 13 on it which I guess to be the bore size in mm on it which appears to be the correct size. Hopefully I should be able to take it out for a run tomorrow.

You are looking at the wrong end.
Try changing your pads, and clean up the calliper pistons.
The pistons are not withdrawing enough and therefore giving you an immediate grab.
Bin there dun that....!!

Just replace the fluid.
Then don't bleed it properly.
Soft spongy brakes.

Next question.

Yeh ... and get rid of those braided hoses and put some nice 25yr old rubber ones on

The only other thing to check that no one has mentioned. Are either or both discs warped? I've had that on standard discs and it does make it grabby.

Comberjohn, both the pads and discs were replaced with new ones just before I purchased the bike.

+1 with Ajays. Sound very like the pistons are not retracting.

GMcQ

Read this old post with interest :-
A) it is a classic example of Rossko humour (I read all his posts whatever the subject - almost always good entertainment value)
B) I had knotchy feel to front brake lever on K75 plus Mate reported grabbing. I took the opportunity to clean up caliper pistons and while bleeding realized that the problem was as per Ricks post - the area on the lever that bears against the piston rod wears such that the sliding that must take place as the contact point shifts, becomes uneven. Grease has minimized the problem but it will return and longer term fix will require original profile of contact surfaces to be re-established

You may be interested.

My bikes

I have now bought a Piaggio MP3 TL so I am in the saddle on 3 wheels again much to the disgust     of the family. However, I shall continue to view the beloved forum and keep in touch.

PS; The wife is looking for a horse....!

Excellent stuff, great to see you back on 'two' wheels. Good thing is they don't tow a horse box!!

Liked the ideo clip - thanks AJAYS. 

WOUNDNT MIND A TEST RIDE ON ONE OF THOSE THREE WHEELERS!

Good on you Ajays. One of the founding members of the Ulysses Club (Over 40s motorcycle club) was asked what he said when his family was getting in his ear about giving up bikes. His imortal words of wisdon will always be with me "tell em to get stuffed". he was about 70 when that was said and he was riding for quite a few more years and he decided when the time had come.

Piaggio MP3-400 LT

I thought you may like to see what an 87 year old  has to come down too...!

You are still riding that's the important bit and I figure that if you can at 87 then I have 20 years left at least.

Me too. I see one of those parked near the office in Belfast.

I have been riding the trike MP3 TL around the villages here without a helmet [its legal] and it has brought back memories of the days with just the cap and googles holding it on. I used to turn my head those days to listen to the exhaust and finished up with blackheads in my ear that my sister used to get out.
I have my smile back but miss my K's
                                                         Cheers Ajays

No helmet? gee whiz Ajays don't you want to get to old age?
It's nice to hear that you are enjoying the feeling of the ride still.
Good luck to you mate. (Sir mate I guess).