| Author | Message | ||
     Corporatemonkey |
So I finally got my brake issue looked at. Back story: After my get off in Montana, my front brake was pulsating. I figured I had warped my rotor. Well I finally got in to have Kevin (Buell tech @ Downtown HD) to look at it. The rotor is perfectly in spec. He thinks it is just some deposits on the pads. He thinks it will clear up soon. If it doesn't get any better (which it is) by early fall, he will look at it again. So all of this ended up costing me $32, much better than what I figured this was going to cost me. | ||
| Trojan |
The rotor is perfectly in spec. He thinks it is just some deposits on the pads. He thinks it will clear up soon. It won't clear up unless you clean it off or change pads to a different manufacturer. You can clean it using aerosol brake cleaner and scotchbrite. The OE pads leave a deposit on the disc that builds to the point of feeling like a warped disc. Changing to an aftermarket pad such as Braking/SBS etc will cure it straight away. | ||
| Tdiddy |
I agree, I won't clear up. It only get worse. I installed a set of Lyndal Golds and the pulsing was gone after the pads were set in. | ||
| Xb9srider |
Mine fade at times and it seems I have to bleed them a lot to get the best performance out of them. Does anyone else have this issue and is there a fix? I ride so little now with the kids that I just kind of accept it, but would like it changed now that we mention it. They still perform well, but not as good as they can (like right after a bleed). Mark  Never Give Up! | ||
| Tpoppa |
I had the same problem, with the front brake pulsing. I installed a set of Lyndall Gold pads and the problem went away in about 200 miles. Lyndall Golds are Carbon Kevlar, which will remove deposits from the rotor. | ||
| Mtg |
Proper bleeding with good brake fluid should get rid of fade with an XB. I'm new to the XB world and haven't taken mine to the track yet (it's going to Miller Motorsports Park next month). Flushing the brake fluid and replacing it with Galfer race fluid fixed that same problem on my CBR. | ||
| Jackherrer |
i have some pulsing in my fronts too. i switched to the lyndall gold pads and a wave rotor and thats where it started. I'll give the rotor a good cleaning and change pads to see if it clears. What are some good choices for pads? thanks -jack | ||
| Coops53233 |
Im not sure if this applies to your situation, I just I'd thought throw my 2 cents in: I thought my front brake was "pulsing" too. I even cleaned the rotor and changed pads, but neither remedy helped. I was all set to go buy a new rotor, but decided to do some more thorough searching here. I found some posts indicating that a loose steering head bearing could be causing what feels like pulsing in the front brake. I tightened up the steering head bearing, and it fixed all my problems. This may or may not apply to anyone here, but its easy to do and doesnt cost anything to check it out (if you all haven't already). Good luck! ps - forgot to add that the pulsing started after i had a light run in with a curb after swerving to avoid a sweet old lady who blew through her stop sign. The point is, i think the bump is what caused the initial loosening of the steering head bearing in the first place. -RC (Message edited by coops53233 on August 23, 2007) | ||
| Blake |
This thread is excellent! Thanks all! | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Trojan, thanks for the heads up. When I get some time I will clean the rotors. Is there some special trick to it? I have never done anything like this before. Coops, because of the get off the first thing that was checked was the forks/steering head. They were in spec. | ||
| Prof_stack |
Good for you that Kevin checked out your brakes. Cleaning them off is a good idea. NOW WHEN IS KEVIN GOING TO ASSEMBLE MY BUSTED BUELL? Okay, rant over. I needed that. Kevin is a great tech and a good guy. Busy shop lately. But it looks like it will be 2 months after the accident that my XB9S is ready to roll, er, go. I am getting very tired of waiting and might start test-riding other models to get riding again. I missed the best riding days in the Pacific NW. Maybe September will be dry. | ||
| Prof_stack |
So I call today to see if perchance my XB9S repair is moving along. Turns out: (1) They forgot to order a "key" part and that part is apparently back-ordered and will take two weeks to get. (2) The mechanic has left for a 2-week vacation today. God bless him, he needs a break. Too bad the XB wasn't fixed by now. I don't know what to say. It will be over 2 months since the accident to completion of repair. Doesn't seem right somehow. Its time to look at other makes and models. Perhaps other Buell dealers. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Norm, you know my view of what's happening to you. I really can't offer any suggestion short of becoming a nuisance. Call them EVERYDAY until it is done. It seems to work. Also I would contact their customer service rep. Her name is "Beth" something (lost her card). After my last fiasco she sent me a hand written card, asking if she could address anything. Just call the main number ask for Beth and they will get you to her. She should be able to get things rolling. Or contact Cityxslicker and have it transfered to his dealer... | ||
| Sticks |
Interesting about the steering head bearing. I had my bike in for a minor crash repair and noticed that the brakes work better than pre crash. This was just before 5k. miles. I got that "mechanic just went on a 2 week vacation, so it'll be a while longer" deal. This was at the beginning of summer. GEE, I envy someone who can take a month off in the summer. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em. | ||
| Prof_stack |
Yeah, this whole Buell dealer fiasco is making me think I want to sell the XB and get something else, smaller in cc. I would say simpler but the XB is pretty simple to maintain and has been very reliable. Just got a bad taste in my mouth right now. Too bad the dealer has not been reliable. Oh, did I mention the 10K mile fee of $690 they have posted? I was the last one at $333 out the door. I watched them change the readerboard to $690 after realizing that doing the fork oil was more expensive than what they were charging. When this dealership changed hands, more than the owner changed. Sigh... | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I never realized the 10k was ever less than $700. I got my buell after Russ had sold out, so I have only ever seen the new prices. Nice to know I am taking in the rear too... I know you have mentioned getting something smaller. Because of you riding style, why not look at a late model HD 883? I know you have mentioned getting a Royal Enfield, but do you think you will have better dealer support? At least the HD is very reliable, and has good resale value. Eitherway do not get dismayed. Just take your anger out on your students   | ||
| Brewtus |
+1 on the steering head bearing torque. It cured my brake pulsation with stock brake pads. | ||
| Prof_stack |
I know you have mentioned getting something smaller. Because of your riding style, why not look at a late model HD 883? I know you have mentioned getting a Royal Enfield, but do you think you will have better dealer support? At least the HD is very reliable, and has good resale value. Either-way do not get dismayed. Just take your anger out on your students.  Well, now that classes have started and I have my Professorly manners again, there is less time to fuss over the motorcycle follies. HD833? I had one, '86 XLH883 the first evo sporty. Been there, done that. Besides, they've gotten heavier over those 22 years. Resale has taken a serious hit in Hogland recently. Supply has caught up with demand. I want something lighter, perhaps a new version of the Blast (I had an '00 Blast), perhaps Royal Enfield (dealer support is good, but 60 miles away and the technology is old old-school), perhaps a (horrors  ) Japanese single. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
perhaps a (horrors ) Japanese single. Like a super moto? | ||
| Mikemax |
My brakes pulsed almost from new and I thought I had a slightly warped rotor to. At the suggestion of some other Badwebbers I just replaced my front pads with Lyndal Golds from Al at American Sport Bike and I now have absolutely no pulsation and the feel is way improved. The effort is a bit higher though and I have to use 2-3 fingers on my shorty levers instead of just 1. | ||
| Pmpski_1 |
+1 on the Lyndal Golds. I had the same problem and most of my pulsating is gone now. I may still need to do some more riding to get it all. I checked the head bearings too, just because that fix would have been absolutely free +1 million to Al at American Sportbike. | ||
| Mikemax |
Forgot to mention that I wore out two Scotch Brite pads on the disk to get all the crud off. You have to get used to the sound... sort of like loose ball bearings when the brake is applied. Hopefully there are no loose ball bearings. |
