1997 Intruder 800 front brake and gear question - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

boz · 11-11-2004, 10:53 AM

I bought a red 1997 Intruder 800 over the last weekend. It has 2900 miles on it and I paid $3000 for it after heavy bargaining even though the seller initially asked for $3500. I took it to a cycle mechanic to have it checked out and the mechanic said it's in great condition. He flushed/replaced all the fluids and checked everything for me.
I've been riding it around the last couple of days, this is my first bike ever, and I have two things I'm having trouble with. First, the front brake squeeks really bad. The mechanic said my brakes were good and the pads didn't need replacing. I'm trying to figure out what the problem would be but no clues so far. Second, when I'm coming to a stop, I start down shifting and when I get all the way down to the first gear and push down the shift lever one more time, it makes this really annoying rubbing/rattling noise like TTRRRTRR

It almost feels like it's not going in the gear and it's tearing something up. but it still goes into the gear. I haven't taken it back to the mechanic to ask about it yet, I wanna know if there's something I'm doing wrong first or something I can fix easily.

oldgeezer · 11-11-2004, 01:56 PM

If I understood what you were saying, you downshift all at once. Most bikes like for you to downshift as you reduce speed. They work a little better if they can work down the gears at speed rather than all at once. For the most part, downshift from 5th to 4th at 40 or so, 4th to 3rd at 30, 3rd to 2nd at 20 and 2nd to 1st at 10. Just like shifting up, ease out slowly on the clutch.

boz · 11-11-2004, 02:24 PM

thanks oldgeezer. that makes a lot of sense...i'm new to riding, so i guess there is a whole bunch of stuff i need to learn. i'll try downshifting more gradually on the way home tonight and see if that helps.

boz · 11-11-2004, 02:25 PM

any clues about what the problem would be with the squeaky front brake and how to fix it?

oldgeezer · 11-11-2004, 03:13 PM

Get louder pipes so you can't hear the squeaking.

My wife has a 2003 but almost new 800 Intruder and the front brakes squeak. The shop guy said that was normal for Suzuki's. Her first bike, a Savage, did the same thing. I'm not a motorhead, but I've inspected the rotor and brake caliper and they all are OK. As long as it stops correctly, I'm not going to sweat it too much. Good luck and enjoy your new ride. Most of all, be safe and watch out for the other guy, he's probably not watching out for you.

boz · 11-11-2004, 03:50 PM

thanks for the tips oldgeezer.

DrBob · 11-11-2004, 09:50 PM

To stop the front brake squeel on an Intruder, ditch the stock front brake pads and get some aftermarket ones from EBC. Takes about 10 minutes, costs about $20, and the brakes will never squeel again.
Even the local Suzuki dealer refuses to put on Suzuki brand brake pads, using the EBC brand instead.

hawker · 11-12-2004, 12:26 AM

I'm a neebie too. My front brakes squeal on my VS-800. I've come to understand it's normal for the stock Suzuki's. Change to the aftermarket pads corrects the problem if you'r bothered by it that much.

11-11-2004, 10:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
boz Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 Intruder 800 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 275	1997 Intruder 800 front brake and gear question I bought a red 1997 Intruder 800 over the last weekend. It has 2900 miles on it and I paid $3000 for it after heavy bargaining even though the seller initially asked for $3500. I took it to a cycle mechanic to have it checked out and the mechanic said it's in great condition. He flushed/replaced all the fluids and checked everything for me. I've been riding it around the last couple of days, this is my first bike ever, and I have two things I'm having trouble with. First, the front brake squeeks really bad. The mechanic said my brakes were good and the pads didn't need replacing. I'm trying to figure out what the problem would be but no clues so far. Second, when I'm coming to a stop, I start down shifting and when I get all the way down to the first gear and push down the shift lever one more time, it makes this really annoying rubbing/rattling noise like TTRRRTRR It almost feels like it's not going in the gear and it's tearing something up. but it still goes into the gear. I haven't taken it back to the mechanic to ask about it yet, I wanna know if there's something I'm doing wrong first or something I can fix easily.

11-11-2004, 01:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
oldgeezer Handlebar Consultant Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 646	If I understood what you were saying, you downshift all at once. Most bikes like for you to downshift as you reduce speed. They work a little better if they can work down the gears at speed rather than all at once. For the most part, downshift from 5th to 4th at 40 or so, 4th to 3rd at 30, 3rd to 2nd at 20 and 2nd to 1st at 10. Just like shifting up, ease out slowly on the clutch. __________________ Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, d!ckheads--they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.

11-11-2004, 03:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
oldgeezer Handlebar Consultant Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 646	Get louder pipes so you can't hear the squeaking. My wife has a 2003 but almost new 800 Intruder and the front brakes squeak. The shop guy said that was normal for Suzuki's. Her first bike, a Savage, did the same thing. I'm not a motorhead, but I've inspected the rotor and brake caliper and they all are OK. As long as it stops correctly, I'm not going to sweat it too much. Good luck and enjoy your new ride. Most of all, be safe and watch out for the other guy, he's probably not watching out for you. __________________ Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, d!ckheads--they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.

11-11-2004, 09:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	To stop the front brake squeel on an Intruder, ditch the stock front brake pads and get some aftermarket ones from EBC. Takes about 10 minutes, costs about $20, and the brakes will never squeel again. Even the local Suzuki dealer refuses to put on Suzuki brand brake pads, using the EBC brand instead. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

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11-11-2004, 02:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
boz Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 Intruder 800 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 275	thanks oldgeezer. that makes a lot of sense...i'm new to riding, so i guess there is a whole bunch of stuff i need to learn. i'll try downshifting more gradually on the way home tonight and see if that helps.

11-11-2004, 02:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
boz Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 Intruder 800 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 275	any clues about what the problem would be with the squeaky front brake and how to fix it?

11-11-2004, 03:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
boz Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 Intruder 800 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 275	thanks for the tips oldgeezer.

11-12-2004, 12:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
hawker Where Am I ? Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: 2001 VS800 Intruder Location: Beverly Hills, FL Posts: 45	I'm a neebie too. My front brakes squeal on my VS-800. I've come to understand it's normal for the stock Suzuki's. Change to the aftermarket pads corrects the problem if you'r bothered by it that much.

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