Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoothly

[iceman]

Hi, my bike just passed it's MOT a few days ago (2nd one, 2nd clean pass) but truth be told, my front brake lever is not operating as smoothly as it used to, and harder to press.
Is there a good way to check if it's the pistons or cabling at fault? (last time I changed the pads it was quite hard to get the all the pitons recessed enough to fit them), so reluctant to take the assembly off and try that again, but probably have to in the end.
I may need to order replacement pistons and bits (seals) to get smooth operation back. Can these parts be changed without draining the brake systems?

[Cube]

I'm only a shade tree mechanic, but my first thought is that you need to bleed and flush the front brake system - that there's either water absorbed in the brake fluid or an air bubble somewhere. No system disassembly required beyond opening the reservoir and there are plenty of how-tos online. Homie likely has one - I'm curious what he'll have to say about this.

[you you]

First step would would be to take the lever out and grease the pivot

[gn2]

More likely to be the caliper sticking than the pistons.

[Cube]

so options so far are:
contaminated fluid (me)
lever stiction (you you)
caliper pin stiction (gn2)

all viable options, anyone want to break the tie?

[relic]

I'll go with you you and vote for a sticky lever

[you you]

I'll go with you you and vote for a sticky lever

Its definitely the easiest to check and rule out. Woudnt take much longer than a post on here

[gn2]

so options so far are:
contaminated fluid (me)
lever stiction (you you)
caliper pin stiction (gn2)

all viable options, anyone want to break the tie?

Mine isn't just the pins, its also corrosion under the shims at the mating surfaces.

[fish]

so options so far are:
contaminated fluid (me)
lever stiction (you you)
caliper pin stiction (gn2)

all viable options, anyone want to break the tie?

Not to alarm, but.....
Weakening strength in the extremities is one of the first signs of S. American Bat Flu. Have you been to Paraguay, or Tucson, recently? And, has one of your ears gone missing?

Fish

[springer1]

Not to alarm, but.....

Oh sure, another BS post just to malign innocent Bats.

I vote to clean & lube the lever and if that doesn't work then goto the Dr. for a checkup. If that doesn't show some mutant combo avian-animal Flu cause, then onto the hydraulics starting with a simple bleed (Brake - not Bat or Scoot Owner).

[iceman]

Well, after a few weeks of noticeable 'strangeness', the past few days it seems fine again. Maybe a sign of grime and the past week being really nice weather and less muck being thrown up from the roads. My poor bikes engine area and wheel areas are so dirty due to the dirty roads and almost daily rain - not easy to keep bikes clean here.