caliper question

[raider]

ok all I keep reading here is that everyone is very forthcoming with information on these bikes..I do need it since my crew that has helped..(and they are a good crew for helping the girl of the bunch) they are all harley heathens.

anyway,the point here is...i put new tires on the bike a couple months ago..I have noticed basically non stop squealing since this time....I am hoping its just needing new pads since i haven't replaced them since i bought it. But they never squealed until the new tire was on. maybe i'm over reacting and its a matter of physics considering the old tire was basically a slick when i took it off and now there is some meat there too play whit.. my concern of a bigger problem lays in the fact that the guy helping me was drunk and i'm paranoid that he put something on wrong and i'll kill myself,j.k....

thanks for any feedback....i would like too start learning more about my baby....

[MartyA]

Wow raider, not much information (but maybe too much in one regard )

Non-stop squealing... Hmm-m-m. Did your 'helper' bolt himself to the wheel? Is he squealing as you drag him down the road? Might just have to wait till he sobers up...

Are those 'heathens' squealing from jealousy? Then just ride faster, on that bike you can, and the sound will fade with distance...

Kidding aside, there could be a few things to look at. The brake pads did not squeal before the tire change, so they might might have come loose and are not be seated properly. How are the brakes? Do they work well? You might need to put some cushion behind the pads, there is gel you can buy, mine has a thin piece of aluminum behind the pads.

Did the helper tighten everything he loosened? Wheel bearings installed correctly? Proper torque on the wheel bolts?

Which end is squealing, front or back or both?

You might just have to break them in some more - the pads not the harleys.

Is the tire rubbing?

[ratbyk]

Front Brake Squeal

When installing the front wheel the left front brake rotor (disc) must be centered in the middle of the caliper opening before you tighten the wheel down at the axle. Normal procedure is to center the rotor, then tighten the clamp on the axle to the leg, then tighten the axle nut. If he tightened the axle nut first then the axle clamp to the leg he has likely drawn the wheel/rotor over so that the rotor is touching the inside of the caliper.
If it is not touching it still could be over to far and the caliper is having trouble-centering itself on the rotor making one pad do most of the work while braking.
Ken/Sooke

[Geezer]

When does it squeal? When it rolls or only when you apply the breaks. It might be a good idea to have it looked at by a mechanic. This might just be something simple but it could also be a major safety issue.

Geezer

[Ken Talbot]

Another thing that can happen if if you're not paying attention is to put the pads back onto the calipers opposite to the way they came off, and end up with the shims backwards to what they should be. The shims should be installed so they close the front edge of the pads just a bit before the rear edge. If the caliper sleeve part #7 in this view was not cleaned and re-lubed, it could now be sticking. This will prevent the caliper from recentering itself when you release the brakes and allow one of the pads to drag.

When you have been riding for a while, are the rotors warm or hot to touch?

[raider]

ok as far as not enoguh info..its an 81 xs1100.....absolutely perfect when i bought it as far as running..i had too do some cosmectic work but never a prob...anyway,its only the front and the squealing is whenever the front tire moves......it actually seems too stop when applying brakes but it drives me nuts riding down the road!!!

so,forgive my ignorance but i am a 4 wheeeler parts person so not that seasoned on bikes,but is there a certain way of setting the rotors? i knoe that may be a stupid question but i don't know.

as far as remember,we tightened the wheel on then put the calipers back on....(i'm trying too answer everyon eat one time here,sorry)

i guess cars are much easier than bikes too work on...any way thanks for the replies....

the brakes do work fine...its just this noise!!! uggghhh!! she looks too good for this nuisance!!

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by raider
<<snip>> but is there a certain way of setting the rotors?<<snip>>

Actually, yes, there is a correct way of getting the rotors centred. Ken/Sooke (ratbyk) nailed it a couple of replies back.

[rover]

One of the above posts got your problem. Take the cotter pin out of the axle nut and back it off a ways, about four turns. Then loosen the axle clamp bolts on the left side, FRONT ONE FIRST. Then, making sure that the speedo drive is in the grooves, tighten the axle nut to 77 ft lbs, that is quite tight, if you don't have a torque wrench. Install a new cotter key. Then move the left side fork so that the rotor is centered in the caliper. Then tighten the FRONT axle clamp first, then the rear bolt to 14.5 foot pounds.; Now the squealing should stop. I am sure that right now the rotor is rubbing on the caliper holder. Then after you make sure the brakes are working properly, go out and blow off the Harleys, very easy to do.

[raider]

thank you all for the insite....I will tear it down this weekend and redo it.....as for blowing away the harleys....they know their place......behind me!!!!!

only one dared to give her a go and he was wide eyed the rest of the day...she gets her respect!

thanks again!!!