Frozen Front Disk Brake

Rode my Brute Force 650i this weekend in about 5 degree weather. Didn't have any apparent issues while riding in the woods, but when I pulled into the garage after cruising a mile or so on the road I found out the calipers on my front disk brakes had frozen (luckily the grill is on wheels and only slid a few inches ). A few hours later after thawing out, I went to check them and the lever pulled all the way to the bar. I was able to pump up the brakes and they seemed to work fine. Has anyone ever run into this or can explain why the brakes lost all pressure? Is it possible something could have been permanently damaged? Are there any things to look out for when riding in cold weather?

Thanks All!!!!

Wish I could help you out here, but I don't think our temperature has ever gotten down that low....ever
Low 20's is about all we get here and that's few and far between.

Never had any freezing problems in Alaska. Guess the old Popo stayed hot enough to keep everyhing melted. Did have mudsicles hanging off the fenders though.

Scrapter-

I have not had brake issues other than having to bleed them after a few years to get the old fluid out and fill with fresh.

What I can tell you is that brakes go through a lot of heat cycles, it is those cycles that eventually allow air or material to get by the rubber seals in the calipers. With our race cars, we change the fluid and bleed brakes all the time. I recommend that a rebuild kit be used and the bores of the calipers cleaned with emery cloth, new seals and fresh brake fluid.

At least bleed the brakes to get fresh fluid in them. Brakes are pretty straight forward and can be taken apart with ordinary tools. working the pistons back and forth in the bores (use a C clamp) is good to make sure that they stay operational.

We all should be bleeding our brakes every year to keep them working properly.

It is not if they will fail, it is when. Best of luck