front brake pulsation help!!

[atvjustin438]

i just bought my first bike a 03 xb9s 6 weeks ago but havnt been able to ride it yet( broke my right foot). after finally getting a chance to take it down the street i noticed front brake lever pulsates and bars shimmy when using front brake. should i just buy a new front rotor or try cleaning it and replacing the pads with the new ones i already bought since there pretty low. or i read somewhere about issues with a recall on front bearings. really dont wanna shell out the cash until im able to work again so any ideas would be much appreciated

 

[onelogue]

Since rotors cost a lot i would clean yours first and replce pads if they look worn.
Then yes rotor is your last option.

 

[upthemaiden]

Mine does the same thing. I bought a new rotor but haven't gotten to install it yet. I've heard that the earlier bikes had problems with the brake pads building up on the rotor a bit. I cleaned mine pretty well but it didn't seem to help.

Check and make sure everything is tight too. You could be getting head shake if the stem bearings or front axle are loose.

 

[jimijeans]

If your checking the Front Bearings Turn the Bikes forks to lock it. It helps if you have a pitt stand for the Rear. Pull the wheel front to back Then side to side this way at least you get the idea of what is going on with your bike. If no Stand Put it in 1st Gear. If you have a way to get the front wheel off the ground SAFELY you can pull from the bottom of the wheel and see what the front does. I have Tools here in the Shop for checking bearings and steering but the Handy mans way will give you something to go on. The Front Wheel Bearings are from Korea The Steering Is USA.[smirk]

 

[dave_xb12r]

Technically, glazed spots on your rotor could cause slipping in places give you a pulsation, but this is unlikely.

I wasted a lot of time an money buying new pads and having my rotor professionally resurfaced. In the end, simply replacing the rotor was the fix. If your pads are still good, you can put them against a belt sander and flatten them. If they are getting thin, just replace them when you put on the new rotor. Either way, you should have flat pads when you do your rotor or they will wear groves in your new rotor.

 

[g3STRIKES]

i had same problem drove me crazy for awhile the fix fix on mine came from an seasoned mechanic.after eliminating rotor run out or warpage simply sanding rotor with 80 grit on a d.a. did the trick

 

[kiwi1125cr]

I preti sure you can by race spec rotor as a replace ment, they are thicker so dont warp as easy.u can by them from HD and maybe EBR. I dont know if there much dearer. New to forem Hi
Kiwi

 

[auslad]

i had the problem when i bought my 05 XB12R,changed the pads,still the same,took the disc off greased all the springs lightly and made sure the disc was not catching........still the same so had to bite the bullet an fork out for a new disc etc....now fixed that problem

 

[upthemaiden]

or warpage simply sanding rotor with 80 grit on a d.a. did the trick

What's a d.a.? I tried cleaning mine in case it was build up, but I may try sandpaper next to see if mine is fixable.

 

[Pharmer]

What's a d.a.? I tried cleaning mine in case it was build up, but I may try sandpaper next to see if mine is fixable.

I belive he is referring to a dual action sander, most likely pneumatic.

 

[04Bolt]

I have 04 12R and also had an issue with pulsating while breaking.. was usually heavy breaking. On my rotor there were little circular pits..i dont know what from but eventually disappeared.. I tried cleaning the rotor but didnt seem to help. As I kept riding it seemed to pulsate less n less but eventually I changed to the Lyndall Racing Pads and haven't had an issue since.