Front Brake Judder FZS 1000

[dadlingtonflyer]

Can anyone help with this. I get brake judder from the front brakes. I have cleaned the discs and callipers and this does improve matters but by the end of every ride the problem is back. It is as if the brakes are pulsing on and off. I did have this problem when I first bought the bike and I took it back and they seemed to have resolved the problem, but I don't know exactly what they did. My first thought was a sticking calliper but I have checked these and don't think that is the case. Any Ideas?

[woodwizzard]

Have you checked for play in the head bearings? Could even be fork related if the internals are excessively worn. Biuld up of brake dust in the pads centre groove. Warped disc. Could try removing the discs and cleaning all the dust from around the mounting bolts and washers and then refitting/torquing down correctly.

[dadlingtonflyer]

Just had MOT They checked them then but is there anything that they could of missed as it seems a simple check?

I have removed callipers and cleaned both them and the discs

So I am assuming it could be a warped disc, but that would not explain why it doesn't do it when the bike has been washed

[Captain Haddock]

Did you put any copper grease on the back of the pads? Could explain why washing makes a difference.

[woodwizzard]

Could try taking the pads out and laying some wet n dry on a mirror and scoring up the surface of the pads, might have a raised grabby spot. Go over the discs with spray brake cleaner. Might be worth trying a new set of pads. Caliper bolts nice and tight? Running out of suggestions

[dadlingtonflyer]

Thanks

I did put copper grease on the back of the pads.

I have bought some new pads from Yamaha so will try these at the weekend.

It could be that the pads are low and maybe have warped slightly themselves.

[dadlingtonflyer]

Put new pads on and initially all was well but after a ride of 2 hours judder was back. I still can't see how this could be warped discs as I would expect the pulsing or judder all of the time and as previously mentioned if the bike is washed it goes away and then gradually creeps back after the bike has been ridden for some time

[woodwizzard]

Do you have or know anyone with a dial gauge? Take a measurment and check the discs when cold and then go for a good blast and realy warm them up. Take another measurment when hot and see if anything shows up. Some kind of weak spot in the discs that shows up when heated?? I fitted new EBC discs on the zx10 and they juddered. I checked them for warpage, nothing. I checked brakes, changed steering head bearings, stripped and replaced fork bushings etc etc. It turned out that one disc was not round, it was slightly out of shape
 

[Falcon 269]

What's the year and mileage?

When were the forks last serviced, oil changed, new bushes - that sort of thing?

[dadlingtonflyer]

Year is 2001 I don't know when forks were serviced or bushes changed.

It had this problem when I originally bought the bike and they cured it, but I don't know how as I did not ask at the time. This is why I don't think it is the discs as I know they definitely did not change them.

I have just read that sometimes the spigot's on the disc and become tight through brake dust and grime build up. This would fit in with the fact that when the bike has been washed initially the problem seems to go away. I an going to try and clean these and check that they are not seized, so that the floating disc can float.

Many thanks for all of the help and comments I will up date when I have tried this

[Falcon 269]

... and the mileage?

I'm trying to get a feel for whether this might be related to wear in the fork legs/bushes, which becomes more noticeable when the fork oil is warm and thinner.

[dadlingtonflyer]

Well I have freed off the rivets on both front discs and there is some improvement but the judder has not fully disappeared.

I am leaning towards buying a new set of discs but to be honest the cost seems extortionate. There are some pattern ones on eBay from one supplier for 124.03 each (normally 158.17) but these are advertised as for a 2002 FZS 1000 and mine is a 2001 so I am unsure if they will fit, or alternatively there are some wavy ones made by viper from demon at £231.55 for a pair. I don't want to spend all of that money only to find out that it is not the discs and then there is the problem of which ones to go for.

[Dave48]

Well I have freed off the rivets on both front discs and there is some improvement but the judder has not fully disappeared.

I am leaning towards buying a new set of discs but to be honest the cost seems extortionate. There are some pattern ones on eBay from one supplier for 124.03 each (normally 158.17) but these are advertised as for a 2002 FZS 1000 and mine is a 2001 so I am unsure if they will fit, or alternatively there are some wavy ones made by viper from demon at £231.55 for a pair. I don't want to spend all of that money only to find out that it is not the discs and then there is the problem of which ones to go for.

Might be well advised to take Falcons advice re fork bushes/oil etc before splashing out on new discs. As he says-whats the mileage?. Plus you can check the discs (or get them checked for warpage/minimum thickness). Fork overhaul would be my first priority.

[woodwizzard]

Don't waste money on discs unless you've proved they are warped. Dial gauge or take them off and lay them on glass. Could try mounting them on other side to each other, swap them over.
 
As you say though, it is strange that they don't pulse all the time, unless they are reacting to heat.
 
Have the calipers been off and have you seen the pistons working freely?

[dadlingtonflyer]

The callipers have been off and I did have to clean a lot of crud off on one side. The pistons did seem to be moving freely but I think I will take another look at them before I do anything else.

Thanks for all of the replies and comments on this. I am sure to get their in the end. I may even get it booked in to find out what the problem is and then fix it myself from there.

[The Male Whale]

Put the bike on a brake tester to check for warp - all MoT testers have them.....


We do....


Whale

[elektrikAlien]

motorcycle brake rotor/buttom cleaning