Front brake grabs

[Blue AlKat]

Hey fellow fellows. I have an 03 Kat and im having trouble with the front brake lever that's kind of scary. whenever I squeeze the lever it does not move smoothly and the front brake grabs. The lever kinda moves in segments. Its tight and I squeeze harder and it jams on the brakes. Its hard to explain. Any help is appreciated. the brake fluid is the color of motor oil and the level is good. Im thinking master cylinder.

[shpielers]

New motor oil or old crappy used motor oil?

Definitely sounds like something is binding. Could be the master cylinder, could also be the calipers need a rebuild - the pistons could be a bit pitted and are catching. Rebuilding the calipers, honing the cylinders, and polishing/replacing the pistons would take care if it if that were to be the case. Brake rebuilds aren't too hard, there's even a good how to written up on here somewhere.

New bike to you? Something you've put a fair few miles on? New problem that suddenly appeared? Long time existing problem? Brakes ever been worked on? More info might help someone more experienced than I point you in a better direction.

[Kreylyn]

Brake fluid is clear... fyi. Discoloration is from moisture, and needs replaced.

I would suggest you do a full cleaning of the system as well.

Also, if you still have rubber lines, it's really important that you get some braided lines to replace them. The rubber lines are way past their life.

Krey

[Blue AlKat]

New motor oil or old crappy used motor oil?

Definitely sounds like something is binding. Could be the master cylinder, could also be the calipers need a rebuild - the pistons could be a bit pitted and are catching. Rebuilding the calipers, honing the cylinders, and polishing/replacing the pistons would take care if it if that were to be the case. Brake rebuilds aren't too hard, there's even a good how to written up on here somewhere.

New bike to you? Something you've put a fair few miles on? New problem that suddenly appeared? Long time existing problem? Brakes ever been worked on? More info might help someone more experienced than I point you in a better direction.

Oh yeah, The bike is an 03 kat Ive had the bike about 3 years and the problem started about 2 months ago. I put about 15000 mi on it and the fluid looks like new motor oil. Some days its worse than others.

[Kreylyn]

...the fluid looks like new motor oil.

Brake fluid is clear... fyi. Discoloration is from moisture, and needs replaced.