Front brake singing

[Sullybiker]

Morning all,

This isn't a huge problem, I could totally live with it, just wondering if anyone has any tricks to stop it or quieten it. It might just be a characteristic of these pads.

My front brake has started emitting a groan when slowing to a stop, like a freight car when the brakes are applied. I've had this in the wet on my other bikes, but my TT250 has started doing it. It's like the new Bonneville

[pistolclass]

Ear plugs (sometimes I even amaze myself with my ability to correct problems)

[JerryHawk250]

Try cleaning the rotor and pads with brake cleaner. I had the same happen to me a couple of weeks ago. They would make a grunting noise. Turned out that some were I must of ran through some oil on the road and got on the rotor and brake caliper. I cleaned them of and all good.

[Sullybiker]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Try cleaning the rotor and pads with brake cleaner. I had the same happen to me a couple of weeks ago. They would make a grunting noise. Turned out that some were I must of ran through some oil on the road and got on the rotor and brake caliper. I cleaned them of and all good.

We had some very hot weather the last weekend and I suspect I might have glazed them a bit (I was riding pretty hard), they feel okay, just the noise. I will definitely give the brake cleaner a try.

[ricardoguitars]

De-glaze the pads with sand paper and give it a good cleaning with brake cleaner.

[2LZ]

Are you discussing a brake squeak or chatter?....or a hum?
As much as I like the stock tires for our riding purposes, they hum like crazy on pavement.

[Sullybiker]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Are you discussing a brake squeak or chatter?....or a hum?
As much as I like the stock tires for our riding purposes, they hum like crazy on pavement.

It's the brakes squeaking while coming to a stop. Well, more of a high pitched groan.

[ricardoguitars]

Originally Posted by Sullybiker

It's the brakes squeaking while coming to a stop. Well, more of a high pitched groan.

The sound coming from the brakes happens because of a effect similar to the effect of a bow rubbing the strings of a violin, to obtain that effect on a violin you have to apply wax on the bow, similar effect happens on the brake pads when they are glazed, that's why de-glazing the pads is the most effective way to stop the squealing, there are fluids on the market that help reduce that effect, but most are just lubricants which can reduce the braking efficiency.

[NC_TT250]

Same thing happened to me after riding off-road a bunch. Went away after a while.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by ricardoguitars

De-glaze the pads with sand paper and give it a good cleaning with brake cleaner.

I'm glad you mentioned this. I have done the same with good results but was not to sure it it was harmful (seems good idea to me)

Also check for rocks grit etc.

[hertz9753]

What grit do guys you use? Is it wet/dry grey for sanding cars because that is what I would use.

We need to specify the grit and type before people start pulling out the heavy grit.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by hertz9753

What grit do guys you use? Is it wet/dry grey for sanding cars because that is what I would use.

We need to specify the grit and type before people start pulling out the heavy grit.

I used to use 200 grit on my old SCCA cars pads (glazing was a regular thing lol). It doesn't take a whole lot of sanding to remove the glazing. The main point is to simply remove the very top layer of material and give them a matte look. I would place the paper on a table or pane of glass, and without applying any real pressure just move them around in random directions a few times and check. Usually that is enough.

Ideally, the rotor surface should also be scuffed a bit to help the "new" pad surface bed in properly, but many people choose not to and it works ok. One way to go about this is to get a brake rotor Flex-Hone (more expensive than a new chinese bike brake rotor), but I have had good luck with simply scuffing the surface of the rotors with red scotch brite pads and a bit of elbow grease. Very non-aggressive way to give the rotor a bit of texture. Just make sure to clean both pads and rotors with brake cleaner and wipe them clean.

[Sullybiker]

I used a bit of brake cleaner and a rag this morning before my commute - I didn't remove the caliper - and rode the bike. Whatever it was, it's not making any more noise.

[JerryHawk250]

Great! That was an easy fix.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by hertz9753

What grit do guys you use? Is it wet/dry grey for sanding cars because that is what I would use.

We need to specify the grit and type before people start pulling out the heavy grit.

I used the emeroy cloth (sp??) I have on hand so it is mild sanding at best.

No , did not use 80 grit good point

Sully...nice. some of those little things can really annoy us.