| Author |
Message |
    
Delta_one
| | Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 03:52 pm: | 
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I have read allot of threads about replacing the pads on the front brake to reduce pulsing but is there anything else I can do to fix this? even if it only lasts another 3k miles it will give me time to buy the pads. |
Jblausey
| | Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 04:13 pm: |
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Have you sanded the rotor? Try cleaning it with Simple Green. New pads would scrub the crap off but Simple green and sand paper works wonders as well. Compressed air to blow all the dust out and maybe solve a sticking problem with the pistons. Smack the rotor all the way around to make sure one of the mounting springs is not stuck in a compressed position. The rotor should float on the springs. My rotor was warped so none of this helped me as I had to get it replaced under warranty. |
Delta_one
| | Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 08:39 pm: |
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thanks J Ill try that tonight |
Kalali
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 11:03 am: |
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Not sure what you mean by sanding the rotor? You mean using a sand paper and roughen it up?
As for the floating part, my front rotor essentially has no play whatsoever...
My brake seems to be working just fine but just curious if I can make it better.
Thanks. |
Jblausey
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 03:24 pm: |
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Kalali, yes rough it up a bit. Something like 220 grit will do. I used Simple Green with the sand paper and it cleaned up the rotor quite well. The pads will slip, drag, slip, drag over the glazed or dirty areas and you get the pulse feeling. Mine was warped so I felt it in the lever as well. If you hit / tap your rotor you should hear a noise like it is loose. The mounting points have a spring and the rotor should move just a bit. I found that when the springs get dirty from off road use or brake dust they don't have much spring action as they should. Compressed air and a bit of tapping on them should do the trick. Pads produce different amounts of dust. The stock pads produce a lot of dust and don't work as well as just about anything else on the market. I purchased from American Sport Bike a rotor hone that works wonders on dirty or glazed rotors. Better than sand paper.
Delta, if you feel the pulse in the lever I would suggest trying to get it replaced under warranty. If you don't feel it in the lever you can probably just do a good cleaning job and replace pads when you have the time / money. |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 03:36 pm: |
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>>>My brake seems to be working just fine
Then please do yourself a huge favor and leave the brake alone. Just ride and enjoy. |
Delta_one
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 03:48 pm: |
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I feel it quite a bit in the lever, and if I grab a hand full of lever the bike shudders instead.
I don't think warranty is an option for me, 10k miles on an 03, but don't I wish. I can move the rotor with a firm press. Ill finish it off tonight with brake cleaner and a plastic covered mallet... will the brake cleaner damage my wheels?
it sounds like I may need forks too from the sound of another thread I started. maybe a rotor or *crosses fingers* just a set of pads, is in my future too? |
Delta_one
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 03:54 pm: |
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http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/488967.html?1250800501 |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 06:21 pm: |
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Delta,
I think that you need an expert to look at the issue. Why would you imagine that you need new forks? Forks do require periodic maintenance, fluid, seals, bushings and such, but I've rarely if ever heard of a need to replace them entirely. |
Delta_one
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 07:09 pm: |
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it was suggested that they may be twisted.... but Ill pm pictures to you... I hope you are right.
(Message edited by delta_one on August 21, 2009) |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 08:37 pm: |
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That would mean that they are mounted in a bind. The solution to that is simple.
You cannot send pictures in a PM. Post them here. |
Delta_one
| | Posted on Saturday, August 22, 2009 - 12:18 am: |
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pics
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=32777&post=1557704#POST1557704 |
Kalali
| | Posted on Saturday, August 22, 2009 - 09:11 am: |
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"Then please do yourself a huge favor and leave the brake alone. Just ride and enjoy."
The best advice I've heard in a long time...Well said. |
Tazmania720
| | Posted on Saturday, August 22, 2009 - 06:14 pm: |
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Not sure if anyone has said it in this thread or others, but you may want to check the bearings in the steering neck. If there is slop in that, there will be a pulse. I have one myself and am pretty sure that is where it is coming from. |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, August 22, 2009 - 06:43 pm: |
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Loose steering head bearings causing a brake pulse? I don't know about that. |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 01:54 pm: |
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Word of advise to others who may feel like their front brake is pulsing. Be absolutely sure that what you are sensing is really caused by the front brake.
When coming to a stop with the clutch pulled in, the engine passes through and into what I call its angry vibe mode, and when the front brake is engaged a lot of those vibes are transmitted to the handlebars; it can feel a LOT like a pulsing brake. |
Jbolt
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 09:41 pm: |
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"Loose steering head bearings caused a brake pulse"
This is what Carson City HD told me when I had my 10,000mi. service done. They snugged it up and as long as I don't go above 50 mph, I don't notice any pulsing while stopping. Now, if I try to slow from 60mph and up it shakes (not just a pulse) worse than before. |
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Brake pulse fix other than pads?