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[ammonsh]

   I love my new zero, but it is really squeaking when I drive real slow our come to a stop.  It sounds like a rickety bicycle and ruining the whole silent bike thing.  Any ideas? Could be back brakes.

[MichaelJ]

I'm glad you mentioned this.  I test rode a 2014 Zero S last week and heard the same sound.  My electric scooter did this until I had a flat and had to replace the rear tire.  Something about how I put the wheel back on might have changed how close the brake pad was to the disc.  Have you put the Zero on a rear wheel stand and spun it by hand to see if the brake is making the noise?

[ammonsh]

That makes sense.  I think i will take it to the dealer and have him check the alignment of the back tire.

[Spenny818]

The rear brake is a floating caliper so can't actually adjust it side to side. What I did to correct the issue on my bike was remove the caliper, pull the pads out, push the pistons fully back into the caliper (this can be done by hand to prevent damaging the pistons), sand the pads just to remove any glaze from the surface, and reinstall everything. You will have to pump the brake a few times to realign the pads to the disc, but it should solve your issue. I also found that the floating mounts on my bike were pretty stiff so while I had the caliper off of the bike I wiggled the mount until it moved freely side to side. Hope this helps!

[Richard230]

My rear brake squeaked for the first couple of hundred miles and then the squeak went away, without me doing anything but riding the bike.  It has not returned and all is silent now.

[dc5dd]

My rear brake squeaked for the first couple of hundred miles and then the squeak went away, without me doing anything but riding the bike.  It has not returned and all is silent now.

This is what I'm hoping for on mine.  No need to add work where it is not needed just wait and see

[WindRider]

Go to max speed, then stop as fast and as hard as you can.   Repeat about 20X.    Or ignore it and just ride awhile.   

ICE bikes make the same noises, you just just don't hear it amid all of the engine and exhaust clatter.   

[ammonsh]

500 miles and no improvement...guess I gotta take it back to dealer.

[Bakersbread]

Ha ha so I have to laugh cause I asked my dealer about mine squeaking and he walks over grabs some Teflon lube spray and sprays it all over my brake caliper (and splash back onto my rotor and everything else in general vicinity) then I watched in amazement as he didn't even attempt to wipe it off. As another tech walks by looking stunned ha ha well I'm sure I'll be replacing my rear brake pads.....  When or if I ever get my bike back

[GNU]

Bakersbread,
At least it stopped squeaking right?! 

[Richard230]

Bakersbread,
At least it stopped squeaking right?! 

Stopped squeaking and stopped stopping, no doubt.   

[Arun Kalavakolanu]

Add me to the list! My brand new 2014 S 11.4 with power tank has the same issue. Hopefully it will go away after a few hundred miles. 

[BSDThw]

I have done a lot with my FX rear brake but it still squeaks.

But I have posted a snap shot from a Wheelie Training and it is a professional trainer with his stunt bike and the brake squeaks too

[ammonsh]

Almost 1000 miles and still squeaks.  This is ruining the experience.  Took it back to dealer last weekend, and he said they didn't see any thing wrong.  Will this go away?

[Richard230]

If your brake (assuming the problem is the brake) still squeaks after 1000 miles of riding then I would say that you have a problem that is unlikely to go away.  Try flushing the brake caliper with low pressure clean water, dry off the disc with a clean towel and ride the bike around to thoroughly dry the caliper components.  If it still squeaks, the brake pads may be glazed.  You can remove them and carefully sand them lightly to remove any glaze.  Clean with brake cleaner and reinstall.  If they still squeak, you may need new pads (if you can find any), perhaps ones with a different friction rating or material.

On the other hand, the squeaking might be coming from your drive belt.  It can squeak if it is dirty or misaligned.  Clean with soap and water if dirty and adjust the alignment carefully if the belt is not centered exactly on the pulleys.