Well guys here I am again with another problem 800 miles from home. Today it seems like my brakes locked up or was dragging after a 150 mile ride, tmp in the hi 90s. This started at the end of the ride and here are the symptoms. starting from stop light when changing from 1st to 2nd it seemed that the bike was dragging, hard pulling, when I got to 3rd it seemed to clear up, it did the same thing at the next light. I pulled over and checked the brakes, actually took all the pads off and checked the pistons, which seemed to be working properly, I then bled the brakes both front and back. It seems to have cleared up for an 8 mile ride to where I am staying.
small note here, I called the local yamaha dealer and asked to have the bike towed in for service and check out, they left me waiting for 1 1/2 hours and called back to inform me that they didn't have any one to tow me and probably couldn't look at it until next tuesday ( I explained at the start that I was from out of town and needed to travel this weekend). This don't say much for yamaha dealers to me

Sundance

Why do you think it is the brakes?

I guess that is the first thing that came to mind, but if you have another suggestion I'm certainly open to them. I have a long trip to make and this is a holiday weekend, one more day to try and get parts if needed and if I can find them local.

sundance

Check and make sure your brake lines arn't going anywhere near your pipes. If they are the fluid heats up and puts pressure on the pistons in the calipers and applies the brakes. There have been others on here with after market pipes that have had this problem as well.

sundance wrote:
I guess that is the first thing that came to mind, but if you have another suggestion I'm certainly open to them. I have a long trip to make and this is a holiday weekend, one more day to try and get parts if needed and if I can find them local.

sundance

I guess the reason I asked that question is because you mentioned that it was feeling different depending on what gear you were in, an engine that is missing can feel like you have the brakes on..I probably should have asked you if the motor sounds right..

Engine is running fine.

I heard one time about some problems with the back brake locking up, but couldn't remember what the issue that caused it was. I guess that maybe why brakes came to mind first off. I have vance and hines slash cuts and have had them since I bought the motorcycle, 5 years ago and haven't had a brake problem. I'll check the proximity of the brake line just to see how it looks.

I agree .. sounds like brakes ... it's worse after using the brake (to stop) and clears up after a few moments riding.

I'd lay my money on a sticking piston, a piston is not retracting after using the brake. Take the calipers off and try to clean the pistons without taking them completely out. Use brake cleaner, or brake fluid in a pinch. Do all 3 brakes.

The rear brake locking up due to heat transfer from the pipes, gets worse as the engine (pipes) heat up, but it's more of a constant drag and can get really bad the hotter the engine gets.

Doc

How far worn are the pads? If you can get some new pads, it will change the position of the pistons and possibly get you home where you can tear it apart and clean it properly..

Well I have the problem resolved The rear axle nut was loose . My bad, I adjusted the belt about 2000 miles ago and I guess I didn't get tightened enough. I'll be more careful the next time I make adjustments. I was going to clean the pistons on the brake calipers and discovered it. I will say I'm a very blessed person at this time. I tightened it enough with vice grips to get me to Jerrys motorcycle shop and they tightned it and checked the belt tension and alignment for me. The reason I mentioned them is they didn't charge me anything. After Yamaha left me stranded on the road. I did tip, if that is what you would call it, the mechanic.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions, this site is great.

Sundance