650 with squeaky brakes

[yyz0]

My wifes 650 with only 1200 miles on it has squeaky brakes. Has anyone else run into this problem with the 650 and is there anything that can be done about it?
I searched the past posts but didn't see anything.

thanks

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by yyz0

My wifes 650 with only 1200 miles on it has squeaky brakes. Has anyone else run into this problem with the 650 and is there anything that can be done about it?
I searched the past posts but didn't see anything.

thanks

Expand your search a bit. I'm sure there is something here about that "problem" with other bikes (M50, etc.). The fix is the same regardless of model. My GZ even does it; I live with it 'cause I'm too cheap to throw away perfectly good pads just because of a little squeak.

[bzippi]

I think squealing front brakes are pretty common on the 650 ... mine starts squealing after I've been riding for a while. I've heard people say the steel-braided brake lines will fix the noise, but I haven't tried that.

[womper]

wash your brakes!
most of the time it's due to crap and brake dust on the brakes.

i cleaned my brakes and then i 'rode' the front brake gently for a period of a few days (brake sooner for a longer distance) it seemed to have worn the pads down evenly.
mine squeak if i hammer on the front brake, but it doesn't squeak often.



could it be the brakes were not properly broken in?

at any rate, try the brake cleaner, and take it from there...

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by bzippi

I've heard people say the steel-braided brake lines will fix the noise, but I haven't tried that.

They will give a firmer feel and better control of the brakes but will do nothing for the noise.

[t1320t]

I 2nd what Easy Rider said... braided steel lines will help give you a more responsive braking system but do nothing for the noise reduction. My '07 V Star 1300's rear brake has squeeled ever since the first push on the break pedal, if you figure out a fix I'd love to know what it is! The shop I bought my bike from recommended swapping the stock pads for EBC pads but I haven't tried it yet.

[yyz0]

thanks for the feedback on the brakes. I also agree that changing the type of brake lines wouldn't seem to effect the noise from the pads.

But changing to a non-stock pad does sound like it could help. But for now since the brakes are practically new I think we'll wait a little while till we are closer to needing new brakes before changing them.

[Firedog1300]

I'd seriously try cleaning them. Then "coating" the rotors with brake pad material by either doing what womper said or, Get the bike up to highway speeds 60-70 and use moderate pressure to bring the bike to a stop over a longish distance. If I remember correctly you need heat on the rotors for the pads to coat them, and the longer distance ensures that the brake pad material is evenly placed. You can do the same thing with car brakes too.

[Thundurburd]

I had the same problem with my S50 (aka VS800.) DrBob has listed the part numbers for the S50 a number of times and says that original brake pads are poor quality. I will get the better parts when I need a brake job. This fix also includes springs and a little grease in the right places, if I remember correctly.

As a temporary measure I did the following and it has helped a lot. The first thing I did was to occasionally do a hard stop with the front brake. This seems to help. Secondly, when talking to an experienced rider and bike mechanic he though I was not using the front brake enough. I thought about it and watched my riding and came to the conclusion he was right. When appropriate I do as much braking with the front as I can. Overall my squeaking brake problem is significantly better.