New ISCI hand brake on GS Spyder not working properly. Any ideas?

[flea]

Just had a good shop fit an ISCI Hand Brake to my 08 GS Spyder and the hand brake barely works; it only activates the brakes when it almost touches the bars. The entire fluid was replaced and bled twice; so there's definitely no air in the lines. The foot brake works well, i.e. it depresses, and when you pull the lever on the bar, the foot pedal does engage, but not enough even for normal stopping, just slowing, so I have to press on the foot lever too.

Any ideas, as this kit cost me AU $2600 landed in Australia, and that's not counting the fitting?! And as my legs, especially my left leg, are getting worse, it is needed badly! I can't really see it as an adjustment issue being hydraulic, so any help would be great. I have sent an email to the company, but often the riders have a better idea of what's going on through practical experience.

 

[BajaRon]

First, be sure you received the correct kit. Different applications require different kits. The only other issue would be install issues. Installed correctly, that ISCI system works very well. Hope you can get it worked out.

 

[jzeiler]

Sounds like there is still air hidden somewhere. Try pushing fluid UP from the lower cylinder to the handlebar reservoir (be sure to empty it first).

This is what your kit should look like:

 

[racoon]

Just had a good shop fit an ISCI Hand Brake to my 08 GS Spyder and the hand brake barely works;

So take it back to the shop and talk to them about fixing the problem.

 

[flea]

So take it back to the shop and talk to them about fixing the problem.

Can't, the seller/maker is in the States and I'm in Australia. I have emailed them and am waiting for a reply. The shop that fitted it said they MAY be able to fix the prob with spacers, but I shouldn't have to after spending that sort of money...

Sounds like there is still air hidden somewhere. Try pushing fluid UP from the lower cylinder to the handlebar reservoir (be sure to empty it first).

This is what your kit should look like:

It looks the same as the pic, but then, most of the kits do. I'm surprised there's no adjustment anywhere. If I hold the foot pedal up and pull the brake lever, I get full pressure, and if I press down on the foot pedal, again I get full pressure, so there's no air in either...

 

[racoon]

Can't, the seller/maker is in the States and I'm in Australia. I have emailed them and am waiting for a reply. The shop that fitted it said they MAY be able to fix the prob with spacers, but I shouldn't have to after spending that sort of money...

Interesting, but I still think you need to get the installer to fix the problem.
They accepted your money to install it, and after installation it's not working correctly.

And if the installer suggested "spacers", that suggests to me that they did not know what they were doing, and they need to be talking to the manufacturer about why it's not working. Or offering you a refund for the amount they charged you, so that you can find and pay someone else to take care of their botched installation.

 

[flea]

I can't see a botched installation, as it's a bolt on job using original bolt holes and no drilling. The spacers he suggested were a last resort if we can't figure it out, and they are very good mechanics. It looks like we will have to wait on the seller to get back to me. And yes, it was the first one my mechanic had installed, as they are not common here in the back blocks of North Qld...

 

[Dutchy]

Hello Flea, I have a similar kit for a 2019 F3S. Yes, it is expensive, but it is Freedom, as I have MS. I am unable to use my right foot at all, so I rely solely on the Handbrake to stop. If you can squeeze the lever to your handlebar, have you checked that as soon as you squeeze the lever your foot brake moves? If it does not, you may have air in your brake line. Just pump it and if it starts to feel tighter, that also is a sign of air in you brake line. If it does not, can you adjust your lever to make it sit out further, which will hopefully stop you hitting the handlebar.

The other point to remember is that you have a 600KG bike. It is not your foot trying to stop it, it is your hand, and I am certain our arms are not like our legs, so we will be unable to apply the same force. I try to maintain a good distance between whatever is in front, giving me enough time to stop.

I have also met a Paraplegic with the same kit here in QLD riding a Spyder RT, and he has had no problems with the ISCI hand brake kit.

 

[flea]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, the foot pedal moves when pull the lever in, and I've tried pumping it up with no difference. I read before buying that I'll really need to use them both together for emergency stops, for the reasons you stated, but this won't do more than slow badly without the foot effort.

I've got to admit that using the lever helps with the foot pedal, as I have a dead/drop foot, and I have to lift my whole foot onto the pedal and press down with my upper leg (this is the reason I bought it) but this kit is nowhere what it should be. I can't see any adjuster anywhere.

Without b/s, if I relied on the lever without the foot pedal, I would be dead or in a wreck in days! There has to be a problem somewhere, or people would have been yelling they're a rip off and suing ISCI for years! I still haven't heard back from ISCI yet, but I only emailed them yesterday.

That's why I am looking for feedback from people like you, those who have used them, so thanks again!

 

[Dutchy]

My setup for the lever

-

some of them also have a dial that you should be able to turn as well, or another alternative. See if you can change you lever out for something that can give you adjustment.

 

[flea]

Hmmm... Thanks, I will have a look in the morning. Offhand, I don't remember that adjuster on the lever, but I could be wrong.

 

[Dutchy]

Hmmm... Thanks, I will have a look in the morning. Offhand, I don't remember that adjuster on the lever, but I could be wrong.

Also, look at your brake pads. I changed mine out to EBC, plus my front rotors. :doorag:

 

[Mikey]

Another thing you want to check would be that your caliber is adjusted right and you're getting the full throw on it. If the cable is stretched or the calipers not fully adjusted, you're not going to get the full braking power!

 

[BajaRon]

I can't see a botched installation, as it's a bolt on job using original bolt holes and no drilling. The spacers he suggested were a last resort if we can't figure it out, and they are very good mechanics. It looks like we will have to wait on the seller to get back to me. And yes, it was the first one my mechanic had installed, as they are not common here in the back blocks of North Qld...

I agree. But from your description of function, there is something not right. I think getting the manufacturer together with the installer will be your solution. No one here is trying to disparage your installer. Who knows. It could even be a defective kit component. It is interesting that the brake pedal moves as soon as you pull in the hand lever.

If you can get this sorted out, I am sure you will be quite happy with the hand lever. It will not stop you like your foot because your hand isn't as strong as your leg. But it will do a much better job than it is now.

 

[flea]

put brand new ebc pads in the back couple of days before fitting isci forgetting there were pads in the kit, and there was plenty of meat on the front, brakes were working very well before conversion and again if use the foot pedal work very well

 

[flea]

will check but im getting good braking off the foot pedal

 

[flea]

no dial like yours so no adjustment anywhere

 

[flea]

This is getting frustrating, I can't be the only one who's had this problem and still no reply from the seller! It looks like a phone call may be coming up. My shop who did the fitting probably won't want to get involved, as I'm the one who supplied the kit and he's normally flat out working. One thought - with the Speedy bleeder, can you pump the fluid up through the system to eliminate any chance of a stuck air bubble in the system (grasping at straws now) or is it a one-way valve?

 

[Peter Aawen]

This is getting frustrating, I can't be the only one who's had this problem and still no reply from the seller! It looks like a phone call may be coming up. My shop who did the fitting probably won't want to get involved, as I'm the one who supplied the kit and he's normally flat out working. One thought - with the Speedy bleeder, can you pump the fluid up through the system to eliminate any chance of a stuck air bubble in the system (grasping at straws now) or is it a one-way valve?

It might not help specifically, but for a bit more background & stories from others who've tried them, you might want to try checking out the other threads on ISCI Handbrakes that are on the Forum - just type 'ISCI' into the Search field (up towards the top right of the page); make SURE that you tick the 'Search Titles Only' box in the drop down list that'll appear below; submit the Search; and read away!! :thumbup:

I'm pretty sure that there are at least a couple of others who've run into the same problem; and there are more who chose to go down a completely different path to the ISCI option, even a few here in Oz. Over the years, I've seen some pretty good alternatives made up from readily available parts here for a far cheaper outlay & little extra effort, but not too many recently?! :dontknow:

Still, it's ALWAYS worth searching first; and in this instance, I think you'll find it well worth the time spent reading - but I'm not at all sure that it'll help reduce your frustration?! pps:

Good luck. :cheers:

 

[flea]

Thanks Peter, as you said, interesting reading - one bloke has put spacers in where my shop said we could if need be. I guess I will be phoning the States if I don't hear from them soon. It's definitely something simple in the fitting or something wrong with a part. I will have another talk with the shop on Monday first .... Thanks for everyone's help.