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Posted:  20 Aug 2008 21:33	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  42 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
First off, I have an 03 XB9S. When I grab the front brake I initially hear and feel a click noise.  I have not been able to pinpoint where it is coming from.  I tried retightening the steering head, that didn't fix it.  It doesn't seem to be coming from inside the forks.  I don't see anything wrong with the brakes but I did order new pads so when I replace those I will get it all apart and clean everything, make sure it goes back together properly. Just wondered if anyone has experienced this or if anyone has suggestions of other things to check.  Thanks in advance.

Posted:  20 Aug 2008 22:07	[?]
Moderator Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2007	Posts:  2627 Reputation:  49 [?] User Rank: Five-Star General
did you do or change anything that may have cause the clicking?

Posted:  20 Aug 2008 22:21	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: May 2007	Posts:  158 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Captain
make sure all your mount points on the rotor are 'floating' freely by pushing the rotor inward at the mount. it will move. brake dust can jam them up causing clicking or a pulsating feel. curious if the new pads reproduce the same 'click'

Posted:  23 Aug 2008 04:08	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  42 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
Thanks for the responses guys. Lefox, I have not changed anything.  It actually has been there a while but I kind of disregarded it.  Then a friend of mine with more Buell experience than me rode it and asked me what it was.  So now I concentrate on it and I want to fix it. Typeone, I was thinking the same thing.  It needed pads so I will start there.  It doesn't appear to be in the forks.  I did not know that about the rotor so I will check that out when I change the pads this weekend.  Thanks, I will post what I find.

Posted:  23 Aug 2008 10:24	[?]
Moderator Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2007	Posts:  2627 Reputation:  49 [?] User Rank: Five-Star General
it's possible that your steering head bearings are  slacking. but if it's only when braking, i would say that your rotor is loose.

Posted:  23 Aug 2008 13:34	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Aug 2007	Posts:  187 Reputation:  3 [?] User Rank: Captain
Inspect the rotor as best you can. There might be a small small piece missing and every time your brake pads go over you will hear and maybe feel it. This happened to me when I first got my bike. Thankfully the guy I bought it from already knew of the problem and had a new rotor on the way. I would say take it off, but I don't believe your "suppose" to reuse the bolts and springs.

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 09:42	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jul 2008	Posts:  9 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
I think I have the sound pinpointed to the brake rotor. I swore up and down it was the steering head bearings or something. However, if you tap the rotor with your finger it gives the same noise that you hear. My best guess is that it's the rotor seating itself. Nothing to worry about I'm assusming so long as the rotor isn't bent or loose.

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 15:45	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: May 2007	Posts:  158 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Captain
something to note, the rotor should float, if it doesnt and you take it apart, dont reuse the hardware, they are 1-use-only parts. i'm doing mine next week to get ride of the pulse. its all gummed up with brake dust.

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 21:19	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  42 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
I replaced the pads. Caliper looks good.  Brakes work a ton better but the clicking is still there.  I did not find anything wrong with the rotor either but maybe I will buy new hardware, then take it apart and clean everything really well.  I want to paint my wheels and rotor anyway.  Maybe I will look at a new wave rotor.  Thanks guys, any other suggestions, please post them.

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 21:40	[?]
Moderator Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2007	Posts:  2627 Reputation:  49 [?] User Rank: Five-Star General
Quoting blackedout I want to paint my wheels and rotor anyway. paint the rotor

Posted:  25 Aug 2008 01:43	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  42 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
Everything except the braking surface.  Basically just the bolts and where the rotor mounts to the wheel.  Relax Lefox, I know better than to paint the braking surface.

Posted:  25 Aug 2008 10:00	[?]
Moderator Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2007	Posts:  2627 Reputation:  49 [?] User Rank: Five-Star General
still, painting part of the rotor will have it's effect on heat transfer...

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