[Guest]

I recently picked my bike up from the shop after a full service. I discovered that when I step on the rear brake I feel a mechanical "clunk" at the end of the braking cycle. I did it a couple times with the same result. In my trials I started braking at about 25-30 mph. Has anyone had or heard of a similar problem? In case it matters, I've got a 2000 A1. SILVER OF COURSE. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"> Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions. And before anyone suggests taking it back to the dealer, I've already planned on that. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT="">

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[Guest]

Did they take the rear wheel off?

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[Sndnga]

MDW,



brake pads are usually shimmed at the caliper, if they took the rear wheel off then there is a chance that a shim fell out or worst case for some reason they dropped the brake pad and chiped off the end of it both situations now causes it to sit loosely in the caliper housing, in either case resulting in the rotor pulling the brake pad during the rotation into the caliper housing "OR" the pistons pushing the pad causing it to slide. You might want to check it out yourself before you take it to them so that they dont try to srew you and say that you need brakes.

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[Guest]

Tenn,



I honestly don't know if they took the rear wheel off. If so, it was just part of the regular full service. I had the Goodridge Steel Braided Lines put on the front, but I did not have any specific work done to the back. Not that either necessitates removing the wheels.



Sndnga,



My mechanical skill, as it realtes to bikes, is unfortunatley minimal. I've removed and replaced fairings, shortened my rear turn signals, swapped out my stock front turn signals for aftermaket signals, installed my hugger, etc., but my skill level stops about there. At any rate, I will take a close look at the rear brake today to see what I can see. I'll let you know. By the way, aren't you in the DC area? If so, we'll have to get together sometime.



Everyone else,



I still welcome any suggestions that I can berate the service manager at the shop with.



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[Ted Edwards]

MDWZX12R,

This sounds very unusual and I am intrigued. When you say at the end of the brake cycle, what do you mean? at the end of the travel of the brake pedal or when the bike comes almost to a stop? Do you feel it through the brake pedal on the bottom of your foot or is it through the rest of the bike? (seat of the pants)? Does the brake seem more or less effective or no change. Does it do it when the bike is stationary or only when moving. Is the back wheel locking up?

Regards

Ted

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[Guest]

Ted,



1) By, " end of the brake cycle," I mean that the bike has almost come to a complete stop. 2) I feel the sensation through my foot as I'm pressing on the pedal. It feels kinda like, "thump." 3) The rear brake does not feel as strong as it did before I put it in the shop. 4) It only does it when the bike is coming to a stop. 5) I don't know if the back wheel would lock because I let off upon feeling the sensation.



I hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know what you think.



Sndnga.



I ride all year long. You'll have to come join me sometime in the cold. If it's 40 or above, I layer up and go out. I need the fix. Usually the winters in DC are not that bad. I make that statement as a native Washingtonian.



BTW, I had it serviced at Clinton Cycles by Noel. He's been servicing my bikes for the past 6 years or so, and I trust him. Unfortunately, I don't have a good relationship with the overbearing, insecure, phony service manager. I'll get in touch w/ you via email soon.





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[Blitzkrieg]

Sndnga's shim post above is in my experience the most likely, but I have seen disk brakes do this in certain situations when there is grease/oil on the disk and/or brake pad.



Before you start taking things apart, pick up a can of CDC (or equivalent) Brake disk/pad cleaner and clean things up real good.



Caveat: I have not used brake cleaner around the painted wheels on the 12 yet, I think you should be o.k., but use care....

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[Sndnga]

MDW, yes I am from the DC area. Its getting a little cold for bikes but there is still a few good days left. Email if you want. We can hook up one weekend. [email][email protected][/email]



by the way what shop did you take it to?

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub56.ezboard.com/bkawasakizx12r.showLocalUserPublicProfile?login=sndnga>Sndnga</A> at: 10/2/01 1:56:17 pm

 

[Sndnga]

MDW, I guess comming from Washington state the weather in DC would be mild for you. Look forward to riding with you.

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[Guest]

Sndnga,



I'm actually a Washington, DC native. Riding is like smokin' a crack pipe for me, I gotta get a hit even in the winter. Not that I've smoked crack or anything. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek">

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[Sndnga]

MDW my bad, I didnt read the post correctly the first time. I thought you were trying to say that you are originally from washington state and the winters here are mild compared to there. What part of DC you from?

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[Ted Edwards]

MDWzx12R,

Interesting, Have a look at the folllowing;

1. Check disc for warping, spin wheel with a pen held against the swing arm and watch. This can cause the pads to be pushed further apart which can render the brake less effective, and cause the disc to bite at slow speeds due to the extra pressure that you are applying.



2. As blitz says, try cleaning the disc and caliper with brake cleaner. The effect is similar, the brake is less effective until slow speed then it will suddenly grip on a clean part of the disc and try to lock the rear wheel. (watch the paint)!



3. Could be as simple as needing to bleed the brake fluid, if you have a small air lock, again this could cause similar symptoms.



4. Get someone to watch the rear wheel as you ride by and nod when it happens, if it is locking he/she will be able to see what is going on.



5. Shims? normally get screeching noise when they go missing, but still a possibility.



6. Pass, anyone else?



Regards

Ted

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[lubricity]

Are you sure the souund is from the back. These forks make a Metalic clunk sometimes. Maybe you are on the brakes harder and the front clunk is what you are hearing.

rich

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[Guest]

First, I'd like to thank everyone for their input.



Second, let me tell you what happened today. I took a day of leave from work, actually several days, so that I could get a jump on the holiday weekend (Columbus Day for my friends across the water). I took the bike back to the shop. My mechanic told me that he never removed the back wheel from the bike, nor did he interfere with the rear brake, aside from checking pad wear, fluid levels, and such.



The service mngr (I expressed my feelings about him in an earlier post) took it for a test ride and surmised that the problem is a result of a worn rear tire. He says that because the compound has worn down, it causes the back wheel to lock, when using the back brake, because there is not enough rubber to properly grip the road when attempting to stop. As a result, he says, the wheel locks and the chain jumps because the counter-something-or-other is still moving. He feels that the "thump" sensation is coming from the chain, jumping or moving or dancing or whatever he said. He also said that all of the mechanical braking components appeared to be working fine. He based this on his visual inspection and test ride (using only the rear brake to haul the beast to a stop)



Does this sound like it could be the case? Or should I go back and punch him in the mouth. Maybe a bitch slap would be better. Or, on the other hand, should I thank him for a proper diagnosis?

BTW, I'm on my 3rd set of tires on THIS bike and I never had a problem like this on the previous two sets when they were toward the end of their usable life.



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[Sndnga]

sounds to me that he may think that you chain is loose and causing the problem. by getting you to buy a tire he can very easily tighten the chain since it is part of the process. Check you chain. You said you dont like him maybe you have reason for it.

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[Ted Edwards]

He has a point regarding the lack of tread. But,not quite sure what he is on about with respect to the counter thing?? is he referring to the crankshaft counter balance weight inside the engine to reduce vibration?

If the rear wheel is locking up as he says, then the chain will go tight and try to stop the engine from turning, usually this makes clunking noises of protest in the process. However, I don't think you will feel that through the brake pedal. Obviously if you hold the brake on then the engine will stop.

I'll try this myself tomorrow and get back to you.

Did you get anyone to watch you braking as I suggested?

Regards

Ted

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[Guest]

Sndnga,



He may succeed in getting me to buy new tires, which is no big deal 'cause I was going to need some new ones anyway. But, I wont be buying them from him. I started a thread looking for suggestions on the best deal for Dunlops. I have not gotten much of a response yet, but in my own research it looks like Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse will sell me a front and rear set for $270, shipping included. They estimate 5-6days for shipping. When the tires get in I'll probably have them mounted at Cycles USA. We'll see if that fixes the problem. --Did you get my 2nd West Virginia email?



Ted,



Your second idea seems closer to what's happening. I definitely felt the sensation through the pedal, and maybe a little bit in the ass, not that I like to feel things through MY ass. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/sick.gif ALT=":x"> "...not that there's anything wrong with that" -Seinfeld episode



I have not had the opportunity to have someone watch me brake. However, I did watch the service manager brake several times in the parking lot before he left for the test ride. He too locked it up on occasion. He did not report feeling a "clunk" immediately prior to the skid. He swears that it's the lack of traction, combined possibly with the road surface that initiates the whole problem. I'm interested to see what you find in you experiment.



Blitz,



I appreciate your suggestion as well. I have not had a chance to pick up the cleaner yet. I'll do that this weekend. I needed an excuse to buy stuff anyway.



Malcolm

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub56.ezboard.com/umdwzx12r.showPublicProfile?language=EN>MDWZX12R</A> at: 10/6/01 5:49:21 am

 

[Ted Edwards]

MDWZX12R,

I did give it a go today after a quick 300 mile rip around the countryside. Berkshire is covered in rubber lines now!

When the wheel locks up there is definately clunking and banging felt throught the bike but, I couldn't feel anything through my foot. (Gibzx12r, I might have been numb by then, but I couldn't feel it!! Ha! Ha! Kidding!!).

There is a definate series of shudders and bangs as the wheel is sliding and the engine is fighting to keep going.

With the clutch disengaged, the bike slid to a stop with no noises or clunking etc, just the sliding and squealing of the tyre.

So, have you tried this with the clutch lever pulled in? that takes the engine out of the equation, leaving only the braking system and the rear wheel + chain freewheeling.

My rear tyre is also well worn, interesting in the wet! Over to you again!

Regards

Ted





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[CrotchRocket]

MDW...all i can say is, go over all the bolts and tighten them up!!! By the way the caliper holder that slides into the swingarm does have some play in it!!! That maybe the problem...Just make sure the axle nut is tight but not too tight, also the chain not too loose!!!



In reference to what the dealer said...Sometimes when you down shift you get rear wheel hop...It's really hard to diagnose the problem over the web site, know what I mean!!! Like I said just tighten all the bolts on the bike to proper torque than go for a ride...



If you cant find the reason and the clunking continues...Than get a pipe and remove the fiberglass...Problem Solved!!! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol">





CrotchRocket

" I just live my life a 1/4 mile at a time "</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub56.ezboard.com/bkawasakizx12r.showLocalUserPublicProfile?login=crotchrocket>CrotchRocket</A> 

at: 10/6/01 8:06:54 pm

 

[Sndnga]

MDW, I got(read) your email today. Sounds like you had a full day. I've been meaning to out to Summit Point, this week they are holding a Road Race School on Friday I think like $130 and Saturday you get to race your bike all day for $35.

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