QuestionChris:
I own a 2003 Honda Shadow ACE Deluxe 750. I purchased the motorcycle new in August, 2003. With the exception of a windscreen and a small rack on the rear fender, the motorcycle remains all stock.
As the weather turned cold last fall and winter, I developed an annoying friction noise at the front brakes. At the time, I had about 4,000 miles on the motorcycle and the brake pads showed very little wear.
In the late winter and into the spring, the noise abated and, as the temperature increased, it vanished completely.
Now, it's getting cold again. When I ride to work in the morning, it's in the thirties. And the noise is back.
I've tried scuffing the brake rotor and have used different brands of brake cleaner with little success. Most recently, I removed the pads and applied "Brake Quiet" to the backs of the pads.
Brake removal and reinstallation seems to have only made the problem worse. The Brake Quiet did nothing.
The noise is not a high-pitched, metallic squeal. It occurs intermittently, as the brake pads contact the rotor. Rolling down a smooth road, the brakes are silent. Light brake application and/or lean angle and/or rough road in conjunction with low speed will cause the rubbing noise.
The noise only occurs when the temperature is below fifty degrees or so. It becomes more pronounced as the temperature becomes colder.
(1) Do you have any suggestions to eliminate the noise?
(2) Can you identify the manufacturer of a front brake pad that is designed to eliminate this kind of friction noise?
Jim
AnswerHi Jim.
The noise occurs due to partial or complete crystalization of the pads. This DOES NOT affect braking performance.
What you need to do is to find what type of material your pads are and switch to using a different material type. Since all manufacturers produce a variety of pads from different materials, I have no suggestion as to a specific manufacturer. Just use brakes that are made from different material.
Good luck.
FALCON
