Front Brake Issue

nitehawk · October 15th, 2013, 01:51 PM

The front rotor on my 250 was warped, so I replaced it and changed the pads while I was at it. Went for a test ride and while it was a million times better I could still feel something subtle when braking. Put the front wheel back up and sure enough it would not spin freely. Catches on one side, and definitely not spinning exactly parallel to the pads/caliper. Something still isn't lined up right. Could the caliper be damaged or the rim? I laid the new rotor on a flat surface before installing to make sure it was good. Didn't see any issue. Pads don't seem to be pushing out and leaving any run out.

The bike has been down at about 15-20 mph earlier this year. There are some scratches on the rim, but the shop said it was nothing wrong with it. Didn't give me any problems until few thousand miles later after I had to replace the pads. At some point after that it started showing signs of warping.

Whats the most likely culprit?

rojoracing53 · October 15th, 2013, 02:14 PM

If your forks are tweaked then it could cause your brakes to drag but if that was the case I'd think you'd no twice your bars not being strait. When you swapped the pads and rotors did you give the caliper its much needed cleaning and some Fresh grease in those slider boots to make sure its all moving freely?

nitehawk · October 15th, 2013, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

If your forks are tweaked then it could cause your brakes to drag but if that was the case I'd think you'd no twice your bars not being strait. When you swapped the pads and rotors did you give the caliper its much needed cleaning and some Fresh grease in those slider boots to make sure its all moving freely?

At one point the stem nut (or bolt, whatever the top one is called) did loosen up. Tightened it up and nothing looked crooked, but I probably could have taken a better look. If so what do I need to do to straighten it all out?

Didn't think about needing to grease the caliper. Makes sense. Any particular type of grease?

red5 · October 15th, 2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Any particular type of grease?

Ideally, you want something high temp. But unless you take it to the track, cheap wheel bearing grease is fine.

rojoracing53 · October 15th, 2013, 09:37 PM

yeah regular grease will be fine and you should have pumped out the caliper pistons and scrubbed them with some 409 and a tooth brush. then you blow them dry and lube them with a little brake fluid and work the pistons in and out till them move freely. I showed @tfkrocks hoe this was done on her rear caliper that was totally ****ed so she can vouch for how much of an improvement it was.

tfkrocks · October 15th, 2013, 09:40 PM

Lol yes and after changing the messed up pads I actually have rear brakes now.

October 15th, 2013, 01:51 PM	#1
nitehawk ninjette.org member Name: Josh Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 - SE Black & Red Posts: 16	Front Brake Issue The front rotor on my 250 was warped, so I replaced it and changed the pads while I was at it. Went for a test ride and while it was a million times better I could still feel something subtle when braking. Put the front wheel back up and sure enough it would not spin freely. Catches on one side, and definitely not spinning exactly parallel to the pads/caliper. Something still isn't lined up right. Could the caliper be damaged or the rim? I laid the new rotor on a flat surface before installing to make sure it was good. Didn't see any issue. Pads don't seem to be pushing out and leaving any run out. The bike has been down at about 15-20 mph earlier this year. There are some scratches on the rim, but the shop said it was nothing wrong with it. Didn't give me any problems until few thousand miles later after I had to replace the pads. At some point after that it started showing signs of warping. Whats the most likely culprit?

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October 15th, 2013, 02:14 PM	#2
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	If your forks are tweaked then it could cause your brakes to drag but if that was the case I'd think you'd no twice your bars not being strait. When you swapped the pads and rotors did you give the caliper its much needed cleaning and some Fresh grease in those slider boots to make sure its all moving freely?

October 15th, 2013, 09:37 PM	#5
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	yeah regular grease will be fine and you should have pumped out the caliper pistons and scrubbed them with some 409 and a tooth brush. then you blow them dry and lube them with a little brake fluid and work the pistons in and out till them move freely. I showed @tfkrocks hoe this was done on her rear caliper that was totally ****ed so she can vouch for how much of an improvement it was.

October 15th, 2013, 09:40 PM	#6
tfkrocks ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rebecca Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13	Lol yes and after changing the messed up pads I actually have rear brakes now.