Bit of a rant

[Randy B]

Well I have an issue that it seems that the dealer says isn't one.

Since getting my bike back after the repairs from my "accdident", I have a pulsation in the front brakes that was not there beforehand. Now I have taken it in and the did a run out check and said there was varying thicknesses on the rotors, but neither were bent at all. I can't believe that. The left caliper hit the ground with enough force to do this:

And you're going to tell me that wouldn't bend the rotor? I'm not buying it, but I guess I'm gonna have to.

The rotor needs to be replaced and I REFUSE to replace one and not the other. This will also necessitate the replacement of the brake pads at that time because, again, I will not use old pads on new rotors and vice versa.

So I looks like I'm looking at a $500 front brake job, and I might, while I'm at it, do the rear just so I have new brakes all around and that would make the parts bill close to $750. Crap.

 

[Ole]

Good luck Randy. I hate pulsing brakes. I had an 08 Versys that pulsed from new. Dealer said "they all do that"

cuss

can't get any feedback on a spirited ride if front brakes pulse

OK my rant is over,,,,,,

 

[Lord Popgun]

So how do rotors wear with varying thickness? I'm no expert, but I never heard of that. You might want to call Honda of America and see what they say. Maybe a warranty replacement, or partial? Worth a try.

 

[the Ferret]

How bad is the pulsation? I have a slight pulsation in the front brakes on my ST but they stop me just fine. Could be heat distortion of the rotors? I don't know. I do know it doesn't bother me enough to spend alll kinds of jack on it making it perfect.

It's easy to check...tape a piece of bent coat hanger to the fork legs and bend it so it just doesn't quite touch the rotor, then slowly spin the wheel and see if The rotor hits the coat hanger. Thats how we used to check them in the old days.

You also might pull the wheel, and rotate the disc on the carrier to see if that fixes it.

 

[Cormanus]

I also think you should talk to Honda America. Or find another good mechanic to asses it for you. If the rotor was damaged in the accident your insurance company should pay to replace it. I guess you may have to pay the difference if you want to do a complete job.

 

[Elipten_imp]

Dial indicator for more precision than the coat hanger. Varying metallurgy in disk can result in variable wear. It happens.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Lord Popgun]

Ferret,

That's a pretty good idea for checking runout. I was going to mention checking it himself, but I figured the dealer used a dial indicator and he watched. I would have. Thickness I could do with a micrometer.

 

[Randy B]

I dropped it off so I didn't get to watch. Like I said......it didn't do it before the accident. This started afterwards.

It wouldn't be any sort of a warrany so calling Honda would be a fruitless effort. Besides I'm over a year and have over 18,000 miles on it.

 

[Elipten_imp]

Check the frt wheel bearings first, then the disk runout. How good are the cheap tools at the big cheap tool suppliers? Starrett tools too costly if not a full time machinist or tool and die maker. Glad I got mine from dad must have been only option in the 1950's.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Lord Popgun]

Sorry Randy, I forgot some of us have had our bikes awhile and have no warranty, me included.

 

[rboe]

If your mileage is not that high (I'd say under 15K), getting one roto should be OK, as well as the same pads. Those things last a LONG time. Assuming the other rotor is not bent either.

 

[Randy B]

Most of my mileage is highway commute miles so the 18,000 mile mark really isn't as bad as it could be. I just can't justify in my brain to replace only one rotor, so if I do it, it will be both rotors and both sets of pads. Piece of mind for me. It might seem excessive to some, but not to me.

 

[the Ferret]

So Randy what of they said ok insurance will replace the rotor, would you demand they replace both rotors and new pads? They only replaced a caliper didn't they?

 

[Elipten_imp]

The rotors are independent as are the calipers and pads. One new and one used will not impact function.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Cormanus]

Randy, my thinking about calling Honda America was not about warranty, but about them making sure their dealers are doing the right thing by their customers. I know it's not strictly Honda's business, but it's their reputation on the line. If I were Honda USA, I'd be pretty concerned to make sure that dealers always did proper checks on bikes, particularly after an accident.

 

[Randy B]

So Randy what of they said ok insurance will replace the rotor, would you demand they replace both rotors and new pads? They only replaced a caliper didn't they?

That is an easy answer...I would replace the other rotor and pad set at my cost. The calipers are not "wear items" like the pads and rotors.

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

G'day Randy. It's been said by others in previous posts but I can't help myself. As Elipten said, unless you suspect both rotors may be a problem, don't replace the other rotor.

Check rotor runout (The ferret method works well) and wear tolerances (micrometer). The problem you describe is unlikely to be related to wheel bearing or wheel warp (needs a big impact to warp these wheels anyway). These conditions are not likely to show themselves solely as "pulsing" on brake application. Steering wobble (at most speeds) and abnormal tyre wear are normally the symptoms of wheel or bearing problems. But check the wheel and bearing anyway. I've been wrong before.

Unless you want to for other reasons, don't change the "good" rotor if it is well within wear tolerances. Waste of the hard earned. With your CB's mileage and mainly highway riding the rotors are unlikely to be outside (wear) tolerance. Brake pads? Well, if you change one set might as well change both just to synchronise the change intervals. However, in any case, one set worn more than the other won't affect normal road riding (brake effectiveness).

Good luck getting an early resolution, from Honda, or implementing yourself.

Cheers

 

[OldF7Guy_imp]

My 750 has a slight pulsation from the front brake also. Its not enough for me to mess with or worry about at this time. Randy, if yours did not do it before the crash I would at least try to get the insurance company to cover it. Rotors (cars and bikes) seem to be made cheaper these days I dont know. Can a motorcycle rotor be turned? That might be worth looking into.

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

In addition to the above. I note that others have also mentioned brake pulsing on the Versys and ST. The '13 model CB, if it is not an A model that is, should have no brake pulsing. The A model might have an ABS feedback, but that shouldn't happen in any case. It didn't do it before your prang. It should not do it now. Something's wrong.

Cheers