Posts: 23,429
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 511 in 233 posts
Likes Given: 667
Joined: Apr 2025
Yea, my first CB didn't squeal that I recall. The ST didn't squeal that I recall. This CB does, and the FJR does. I won't let that get my blood pressure up. So they squeal, not the end of the world. Otherwise very nice motorcycles. Would I like it if they didn't squeal? Suppose so. But it doesn't bother me much that they do. I'm alone most of the time when I'm riding so I am the only one that hears it.
Sounds like you need to trade that slow accelerating, squealing pig in on a KTM Super Duke R lol
Posts: 2,542
Threads: 125
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
Whether you can feel it or not, those photos do not appear to be a finish related issue. I suppose that scratches that faint could have come from a metal rivet on a piece of clothing like a pair of jeans or a jacket or work shirt without anyone realizing it. Jeez, no telling. I am familiar with what lacquer finish checking looks like by the way.
Posts: 853
Threads: 31
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2017
Yeah, I have no explanation for the scratches, and I'm 99.9% certain that Honda will say they're just normal scratches for which I'm responsible, so I won't bother. Either I'll replace the cover or live with it.
As for the squealing brakes, there is nothing (cost-effective) left to try, other than taking it back to the dealership and letting them try a third time. From the manufacturer's perspective, the only thing left to try is a rotors swap. As long as the dealership kept my bike the last time they had it, I'm not willing to go that route again. Besides, I doubt there is anything wrong with my rotors. If anything, it's a design flaw, similar to the T120's howling brakes. Triumph couldn't solve the problem by replacing rotors or pads with identical items. They had to redesign the rotor-mounting system. Honda isn't about to do that, not for just one bike.
I'll just have to live with it.
Posts: 2,542
Threads: 125
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
If there is indeed a finish over the brushed aluminum then you might try some sort of paint detailing product such as those designed to remove light scratches from clear coats like a polish or glaze or something along those lines. These options more or less serve to fill in the micro defects in the clear coat making them invisible to the eye. Start with the least aggressive option (from an "abrasive" standpoint) to avoid making things worse and then work your way towards the more aggressive end of the scale. I've been very surprised at what defects I've been able to get rid of using these sorts of products in the past. But then the surfaces I was treating were more or less perfectly smooth underneath so I'm not sure how the brushed surface underneath would impact the results. Just a thought.
As far as the squealing brakes go, the only thing I can think of that might be a possibility is that somehow the front edge of the pads might be making contact with the rotor before the back edge of the pads. On a bicycle with rim brakes you're supposed to adjust the blocks on either side of the rim to make sure that the trailing edge of the block makes contact before the leading edge or else it can lead to a lot of squealing. In that light I suppose that you might investigate whether or not there is any way to insert a very thin shim between the trailing caliper piston and the back of the pad in case something similar is happening. Yeah, i know that I'm full of crazy thoughts tonight, what can I say. In the case of my thoughts you get what you pay for, lol.
Posts: 1,298
Threads: 39
Likes Received: 15 in 8 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2025
Some good advice from Guth vlj, in addition to that i would like to add my very own small story, on the hornet 900 which i am currently riding i have always had a bit of uneven pulsing brakes, sometimes more sometimes less, and my rotors are not warped or uneven, it was caused by the brake pad material inbedding itself unevenly initially on a slightly rusty part of the disks, you could not see the patch but you could feel it when the bike was pushed forward and the brakes applied lightly.
fast forward with new brakepads on the front brakes and the effect that has bugged me a bit has disappeared and the brakes have never been as good as now, the difference? change of pads!
Nothing to do with squeeling, i know but it may be worth changing them, i have not kept track of your progress and you may have already done so but it is interesting that it seems to go away after the edges have been chamfered and then stubbornly returns.
Best i can put it is like a bow on a violin with the resin, it catches and sticks, then releases in a high pitch, it may be worth a light coat of grease between the pistons and the pad and also on the side of the pad where it pushes against the caliper housing when the brakes are applied, no need to overdo it, you just need to convince yourself if it makes a difference and take it from there.
Have you tried to pour water on the calipers , disks and shoes to see if it makes a difference?
Posts: 853
Threads: 31
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2017
max, this latest report of mine is in response to swapping out the stock pads for a new set of EBC HH pads. We even filed down the edges of the pads. In addition to the pads swap, I tried out a product recommended on this site called CRC Disc Brake Quiet. My mechanic was highly dubious about its effectiveness. As it turned out, his doubts were well founded.
Point being, I tried all the usual remedies. Still no luck.
