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Author Topic: Post Fall: Front break noise  (Read 659 times)

Snow4us

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Post Fall: Front break noise
« on: April 05, 2018, 08:01:21 AM »

Super disappointed as I just layed my new, 200mile 2017 demo dsr down in a parking lot.  I was practicing low-speed maneuvering and had decided to call it and head home.  I initiated a medium tight right turn going about 5 Mph and gave her too much throttle and washed out.  Luckily I'm physically fine (always wear a helmet!!)  but the bike is a bit bruised along with my ego.  I significantly bent the brake lever and the rear brake pedal.

I managed to remove the brake pedal and bend it back using a pipe, heat, and effort.  The brake lever broke while trying to bend it back.  There's enough there so It's rideable but will need to get it replaced.  I have not been able to find much on here about sourcing a OEM or aftermarket brake levers on the 2017 DSR.  Anyone had success finding a replacement?

Everything else is cosmetic; cracked the tank, exploded my flimsy OEM saddlebag, cracked the right rear fairing.  The main issue I'm finding is that my front break sounds like the rotor is rubbing against the pad.  Could the force of my fall directly onto the brake lever have damaged something that could be causing this noise?  I can hear it consistently while coasting and it comes in a rhythmic wave, almost as if the rotor is bent.  This does not make sense as I fell to the right, away from the front brake rotor.

Wanted to share my story.  Feel free to shame me as it's what I deserve after being such an idiot.  Thanks for any advice y'all have on the front brake noise.
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KrazyEd

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2018, 09:49:49 AM »

Sorry about incident, glad that you are physically okay.
The only incident I have had had was when my 2012 XU
was destroyed in an accident so not personally aware of
pricing, but, from parts that I have purchased and what I
have seen, Zero parts are fairly inexpensive.  If you scan
posts, you should also see options for other than OEM
parts. I would contact your local dealer.  I have ordered
parts from Hollywood Electrics with very good luck.
They will have the part drop shipped directly to you from
the factory. If your local dealer is on top of things, they
may do the same.
Good Luck
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Richard230

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2018, 08:00:45 PM »

My 2014 S fell over once and broke the right foot peg.  I bought a stock replacement from my dealer at a very inexpensive price (so I ordered two) and they arrived quickly.  I would think you would have the same experience ordering replacement parts from your retail dealer - or from Hollywood, as Ed recommends.
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Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

Snow4us

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2018, 08:22:33 PM »

Thanks for the reply’s gentlemen.   Any ideas on the break noise im getting up front and possible causes?
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rayivers

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2018, 08:50:03 PM »

If a large part of the bike's weight landed on the front brake lever, it would've created a huge pressure spike, many times what you could achieve with your hand.  If it were my bike I'd go over the caliper with a magnifying glass, and get the front wheel off the ground and spin the wheel/listen close up if possible.  I'd also check that the pads are exactly parallel to the rotor and the wheel is still true.

Ray
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'14 Zero FX 5.7 (now 2.8, MX), '14 Zero FX 2.8 (street), '19 Alta MXR, '18 Alta MXR, various '74 - '08 ICE dirt bikes

Snow4us

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2018, 11:04:45 PM »

If a large part of the bike's weight landed on the front brake lever, it would've created a huge pressure spike, many times what you could achieve with your hand.  If it were my bike I'd go over the caliper with a magnifying glass, and get the front wheel off the ground and spin the wheel/listen close up if possible.  I'd also check that the pads are exactly parallel to the rotor and the wheel is still true.

Ray

Thx Ray.  Any suggestions on how to rig something up so I can mess with the front wheel?
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goomicoo

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2018, 11:37:53 PM »


[/quote]

Thx Ray.  Any suggestions on how to rig something up so I can mess with the front wheel?
[/quote]

You'll need a MC jack to lift the bike. A GOOD jack! Support the bike and voila! Spin the wheel and see what's going on. You may have bent the wheel.
Good Luck.
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rayivers

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2018, 01:10:03 AM »

Quote
You'll need a MC jack to lift the bike. A GOOD jack!

+1.  If it was the rear wheel you might be able to lean it over on the kickstand and prop up the swingarm - I do this all the time to lube the chain etc. - but for the front wheel I always use a stand, sometimes with a tiedown to a ceiling hook as well.

I take it there's no evidence of brake-fluid leakage anywhere, and the fluid level is still fine.

Ray
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'14 Zero FX 5.7 (now 2.8, MX), '14 Zero FX 2.8 (street), '19 Alta MXR, '18 Alta MXR, various '74 - '08 ICE dirt bikes

MrDude_1

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2018, 08:36:32 PM »

If a large part of the bike's weight landed on the front brake lever, it would've created a huge pressure spike, many times what you could achieve with your hand.  If it were my bike I'd go over the caliper with a magnifying glass, and get the front wheel off the ground and spin the wheel/listen close up if possible.  I'd also check that the pads are exactly parallel to the rotor and the wheel is still true.

Ray

Thx Ray.  Any suggestions on how to rig something up so I can mess with the front wheel?

Crates, a work stool or an equivalent work fine.  To get it up there, watch some youtube videos about putting dirtbikes on the stand. Its a bit heavier, but the lever-it-over-and-slide method works the same. Its also free vs whatever a motorcycle jack costs.

Once your front wheel is off, inspect the front... if it all seems off, but only slightly, then loosen the axle, then one side of the the triple.
re-torque the triple tree, then the axle. If everything is set now, its just because the fall moved it a bit.

if its still off after that, then remove the brake and inspect it closer.
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gyrocyclist

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2018, 04:44:45 AM »

Wanted to share my story.  Feel free to shame me as it's what I deserve after being such an idiot.  Thanks for any advice y'all have on the front brake noise.
How much riding experience do you have? You're probably not an idiot. Even if you have tons of experience ... stuph happens. Glad you're OK.  Please let us know how it turns out: what parts were replaced, what they cost, where you got them from.
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2018 SR
2016 Honda CB500X
2022 BMW F900XR

Snow4us

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Re: Post Fall: Front break noise
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2018, 10:47:38 PM »

Wanted to update everyone.  My alignment was off following the fall and I was surprised by how easy this was to fix.  I took the bike to a local shop to check out my brakes and they said my front brake had an extremely slight bend in it and was off by .3mm.  The shop said it was no big deal and that I should be fine.  I'm still perplexed as to how a crash to the right could have bent the brake rotor on the left side of my front wheel.  I'm thinking this bent rotor was like this when I purchased the demo bike and I just noticed it because I was being hypersensitive to any noises following my crash.

Thanks for all the advice y'all!


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