| Author | Message | ||
     Nevar |
I moved this from the bottom of my other thread... This is my 03 XB9S that I just bought used, 6.5K miles, with relatively new Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires OK. I went for my first ride, a 20-mile leisurely jaunt. Everything was great EXCEPT during hard (sort of) braking. The front end starts to "chatter" a bit. It feels like it's in the steering head but not sure. It brakes OK except for the "shudder". Very disconcerting. I went back home and adjusted the front and rear shocks (preload, compression, rebound) according to the owners manual. Still got the chatter when braking. The rear brake is very smooth. Is this just a quirky thing with the perimeter brake disk or is this a problem with the steering head bearings? Other things: The motor ran great, good power, and smooth between 3K and 6K. The handling was "weird" at first until I got used to it. It's strange to look out over the front and see nothing at all! Tim BTW, The seals on both wheels are orange and the kick stand has an "R" stamped right on its "foot". I also have the factory service manual. | ||
| Robxb |
yep, it's the neck bearings. | ||
| Eor |
I experienced this on my 03 XB9SL at 2500 miles. I got several theories as to the cause... suspension settings, stiff arming the bars while braking, tires, etc. I later discovered that the steering head bearing was the likely culprit. Having that checked on a regular basis is probably not a bad idea. | ||
| Lpd22 |
Nevar- Check your front rotor. See if the bushings are shot. They shouldnt be, but you never know. If they are not, squeeze your front brake(you might want someone else to squeeze the front brake and rock the bike while you investigate)and try and rock the bike back and forth, while your rocking the bike back and forth look at your brake pads, they could be moving up and down, if so you will probably need new brake pads and a new clip for the new brake pads. The problem you described, sounds exactly like what i expierenced(I have roughly around 7k miles on my bike). I ended up ordering new Lyndall brake pads and new clips. Hope this helps. If its not anything that i described, take it to a local dealer and have them diagnose it for you. (Message edited by lpd22 on April 26, 2005) | ||
| Nevar |
Let's assume it is the steering head bearings. Are you guys saying that they are worn out and should be replaced or is it just tightening that is required? Tim | ||
| Eor |
Do a search for "steering head bearing" or "front end clunk" or "headshake" and you will probably get a feel for the issue. | ||
| Nevar |
OK. I did the search - sorry about dredging up old subjects - this one looks like its been beat to death. I know this pisses off the forum old-timers. I just looked in the service manual and the procedure for loosening-tightening the steering head bearings looks fairly easy. One glitch - after years of owning Japanese, German, and Italian bikes I have enough metric tools but looks like I'll have to buy a set of standard socket hex-keys to do this right. Damn American bike (just kidding!). Tim | ||
| Xbolt12 |
If it doesn't clear up, try Lyndall pads from American Sport Bike. Worked on mine and all the blue discoloration is gone from the rotor as well. | ||
| Fullpower |
had this problem for almost half of my bikes miles (11,000 yesterday) tried far too many repair tricks to list here, but including retourque of steering head bearings, replace brake pads, resurface rotor, change tires. problem finally went away with a NEW front brake rotor (waranteed by dealer) | ||
| Id073897 |
I also had some (light) brake judder on my XB9. Now, besides all the stuff found on various Buell pages, I found this link: http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/warped_rotors_myth.htm What that guy is writing there sounds very reasonable and explains a lot - at least to me. So when I took my bike to the service, I got a new set of front rotor springs, washer etc. Very expensive in Germany (> $120!). I disassembled the front rotor and carefully cleaned it using a scotch brite grinding disk (3M XT-RD). Then I assembled the rotor removing all burrs in the drive bushing's notches. I installed some EBC HH brake pads and went through the bed in procedure as described at the stoptech site. Now, brake judder is (almost) gone and the brake's grip is excellent. So, maybe, you might give it a try, too. Regards, Gunter | ||
| Stealthxb |
Torque the steering head capnut to spec with front tire off ground. | ||
| Surveyor |
Probably not worth considering unless you ride really hard on the road, but I had this problem on the track and sorted it by increasing the front rebound damping - the more obvious causes of the problem have been thoroughly dealt with by others. | ||
| Nevar |
Keep the tips coming... I'm going to loosen-tighten the steering head bearings this weekend and see if that helps. If not, I'll start looking at the perimeter rotor - any tips on determining warpage other than eye-balling it real good as I slowly spin the tire? Tim | ||
| Nevar |
Well, I tightened the steering head bearings using the svc manual instructions and it FIXED the shudder! Before I started the tightening, with the front wheel off the ground, I grabbed the bottom of the front forks and pushed/pulled - there was noticeable play. I am one happy guy! Tim | ||
| Ourdee |
I adjusted mine tonight. I was getting a click like clunk when applying the front brake hard and another one when I let up on the brake. If I have to do it again, I may drill a hole right through the center of the handlebar clamp (25 year thing and all) so I can get to the top nut. |
