Hi Gang.

The other day I was out riding and I noticed a new sound coming from my front wheel. This is what would happen on the Road: I’d be cruising at about 75 mph and then when I slow down (fairly quickly), I hear this whining noise coming from the front wheel. The sound was a “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”. Now, the sound didn’t start up until the bike was down to about 65 mph and then it continued until about 50 mph. The sound is more noticeable when I apply the brakes (note: It will still make the whining noise even if I don’t apply the front brake – it just seems to be louder when I do apply the front brake). I don’t hear the sound below 50 mph.

Someone suggested that maybe it was just the highway I was on and the type of pavement underneath the wheel. Granted, I sometimes don’t hear the whining noise all the time - on certain roads, but I’ve driven many of these roads before and have never heard this noise until this past weekend. My front tire has 7,500 miles on it (the tread still looks pretty good). I was just wondering if maybe the tire has “worn” a certain way and now it makes a whining noise because of the strange wear and tear on the tread or could it be the disc brakes or could it be the front wheel attachment. Any advice? Anyone else ever hear this noise before?

My Roadstar only has 7,500 miles on it (it’s a 2005).

Thanks. X-Ray

Tire pressure Maybe?

Any chance it could be the headlight assembly vibrating at certain speeds? I think they've been known to do that. Easy way to check is just put your hand on the headlight when the noise is occurring and it should go away.

I'll assume that you did not do anything to the front end.

In order of increasing difficulty ...

First check your pads to be sure that they are not worn down.

If they are OK, then your pads may be glazed. You can remove the glazing by braking hard at low speed (be very careful) a few times. An alternate 9and better) way is to remove the pads and remove the glazing with some sandpaper.

Or .... one or more of the pistons in one of the calipers is not retracting after you let go of the brake. You'll have to remove the pistons and clean them.

Doc

Thanks for the info, Doc.

I'll try the 'quick brake' idea and see what happens. As for the pistons, how much is involved with that job?

I haven't done anything with the front end and I believe that the brake pads should be just fine because I live out on the Great Plains in the country. Out of the 7,500 miles on the bike, I've only put about 100 miles in the towns. So, it mainly has Hwy miles on it - not a whole lot of braking going on around my neck of the woods.

As for pday and Musky, I'll check the headlight and the tire pressure this evening (thanks for the ideas).

I'll figure it out - hopefully before the 1 year warranty ends at the end of this month.

BTW, Doc, how or what does "Glazed" mean as to referring to the brake pads? I know what the word "Glazed" means, but what is the Glaze on the pad?

X-Ray

ps Even though I hear the sound without using the brakes, you still think it could be the brakes?<br><br>Post edited by: X-Ray, at: 2006/06/05 15:05

X-ray,

Glazed - surface of the pad becomes hard due to the deposit of crystals; braking is reduced. Friction heats up the pad and causes glazing.

I also doubt that your pads are worn as you don't have enough miles.

When you pull the lever, the fluid forces the piston against the back of the pad. The piston is 'sealed' in the caliper by rubber seals (like O-rings). When the piston is pushed out, it delfects the seal outwards. When you let go of the lever the seal wants to return to its original shape and in doing so pulls the piston back a little. But the pad will still rub against the rotor for a bit.

If there is dirt in the system or the seal is bad, the piston may not retract rapidly enough and you will hear the pad rubbing against the rotor until it wears down the pad.

If you're hearing a sound without braking and you're discounted the brakes it may be a dry or bad bearing in the front.

In any event, raise up the front end, spin the wheel and check for play and noise.

Doc