| Author | Message | ||
     Burgurboy |
I just picked up an 04 xb12s last week. so far I love it. I'm still addressing a few of the little issues. It needed its 15k mile service. So far all is done but a primary adjustment and a tps reset. the only real thing wrong with the bike is the front brake rotor... It has spots! Front brake feel is very "grabby" and inconsistent. I have tried "cleaning" the rotor with 5 or 6 quick stops. This did not help... The previous owner said the brake pads had just been replaced. I could be wrong but, they do not appear to be new replacements... It looks like the front rotor may have some damage from low brake pads. Also, the front brakes squeak sometimes. Heres a few pics... Any ideas?!?!?   | ||
| Terrys1980 |
This topic has been covered plenty of times. Try searching for pulsing/pulsating brake issue. You can clean the rotor with a scotchbrite pad and wd-40. Just be sure not to use anything that will damage the finish on the rim. Do you know what type of brake pad was installed last? Organic pads are prone to leaving the deposits on the rotor. Also when stopped at a red light try not to hold the front brake when the rotor is at elevated temps. If all else fails pick up a new rotor and mounting hardware from Erik Buell Racing. Brake Components (Message edited by terrys1980 on June 12, 2011) | ||
| Burgurboy |
yeah, I've done quite a bit of searching. Most of the threads end in "do quick stops to clean off the rotors". This didn't work for me. I'll try the wd40 but there appears to be physical "spots" on the rotor. I havent seen this anywhere before thanks | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The quick stop trick only really works if you catch the pulsing early. By the looks of that rotor the previous owner had some bad braking habits. High speed stop then holding the brake down. I would suggest switching to sintered pads as sintered pads will not leave deposits on the rotor. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Also, if the pad compound is unknown, I would suggest getting a set of EBC HH pads, an Erik Buell Racing mounting hardware kit, and some stainless steel wool (MUST be SS!!). Remove rotor, clean with SS wool and WD40 (should remove most of the spots), install with new hdwr, install new pads and PROPERLY bed the new pads. Then, be sure to never hold yourself at a stop light using your front brake- use only your rear brake to hold the bike. Using the front brake creates hot spots that cook the brake dust onto the rotor. | ||
| Andymnelson |
http://www.erikbuellracing.com/store/parts-accesso ries/brakes/front-brake-rotor-mounting-kit.html | ||
| Andymnelson |
Or for a sure cure: http://www.erikbuellracing.com/store/parts-accesso ries/brakes/6mm-finned-front-brake-rotor.html and: http://www.erikbuellracing.com/store/parts-accesso ries/brakes/front-brake-rotor-mounting-kit.html | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I would suggest removing the disc, and then cleaning it with this kind of brake rotor hone.  Put the hone in a drill press, and then have a friend pass it under the hone while you apply an even pressure until it is smooth and shiny. Then get some new pads, I recommend Lyndal golds, others will have their own favorites. | ||
| Trojan |
never hold yourself at a stop light using your front brake- use only your rear brake to hold the bike. Using the front brake creates hot spots that cook the brake dust onto the rotor Not true. If you are at a standstill the brake will produce zero heat, so you won't create hot spots holding the bike on the front brake while standing still. The hot spots are caused by stock Buell pads, which are rubbish (and have been since 2002!) that seem unable to cope with the heat of high speed braking. Clean the disc as suggested elsewhere and fit some decent sintered pads such as Braking or EBC. Pad thickness isn't an entirely reliable method of checking wear (unless they have no pad material left of course!) as the XB pads have very little thickness to start with compared to some others that you may be used to. 'Cleaning' the disc by doing fast stops will just add more pad material to the front disc not remove it, so I would suggest cleaning properly with brake cleaner and wire wool. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Argumentative semantics. It's widely accepted that when holding the front brake at a stop, the trapped heat and brake dust create deposits that contribute to the pulsing. | ||
| Blake |
That may be true for situations where the brake is very hot and you come to a stop. It surely doesn't apply to every single stop one makes. | ||
| Blake |
If the brake works okay, the spots are of no concern. Mine is blotchy. Very slight pulsing only under light pressure, but brakes wonderfully. Tough to say from your photos, but the rotor does look like it may have suffered some gouging by a worn out pad or trapped debris at some point. If the surface isn't flat, but has circumferential waviness, then you may be right. |
