Shaking front end/brakes

444 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by BrianC in Az, 3 d ago

Noggie

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

I thought I would run this by the forum.
Season just started and today I had my first proper ride of the year, I have been out a couple of shorter rides and as a trainer for a friend who is getting their license this year.

But today was the first time I really pushed the bike this year, I had a terrible front shake during braking, typical warped rotors right.... Well, I tried to loosen up my bobbins ( or "buttons" if you like) last year with a drill and brake cleaner so they weren't warped last year and floated ok, I doubt they got warped during storage.
I did a few good hard braking, and it seems things freed up a bit, after 6-8 of them, most of the vibrations went away and now I think all is good. The bobbins do seem a bit on the tight side still and these stock brake rotors don't really float very well.

So I guess my question in the end is.
Has any of you experienced something similar? Vibration going away after a little use.
I could do another round of brake cleaner to free up the bobbins as they did seem a bit tight not allowing the rotor to float properly.
Is there a part of the caliper I should have a look at? like a liberal spray of brake cleaner around the pistons to clear of any buildup of brake dust or similar.

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Noggie

Discussion Starter · #2 · 1 mo ago

I'll give an answer myself.

I did recenter the brake calipers after watching a Dave Moss video.
Basically loosen your calipers, pump the brake a few times, apply the brake and tighten up the calipers while holding the brake, this way the calippers in centralized on the rotor.

Nothing is particularly dirty, so I did no extra cleaning, might give it a better look soon as I need a new set of tires shortly, my front is getting a bit cupped and my rear has a decent flat area on top and about 1mm left to the wear indicators, depending on the weather I will need new tires sometime in May.

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deuxslow

· #3 · 1 mo ago

You may need to tighten the head bolt, lose head bolts will cause vibration.

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Noggie

Discussion Starter · #4 · 1 mo ago

I had the bike out today, everything is fine, not any shake at all when braking, must have just been because it has not been used for 6 months.

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BrianC in Az

· #5 · 3 d ago

Noggie said:
my front is getting a bit cupped and my rear has a decent flat area on top and about 1mm left to the wear indicators, depending on the weather I will need new tires sometime in May.

Cupped front tires will mimic warped rotor vibration under braking. That could be adding to the problem.

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