Newbie to xs1100 - brake question

[AkMike]

I've just purchased an '80 Midnight Special. It's all original right down to the tires, with only 3900 miles. It runs great, but it has an annoying rattle or jingling in the right front caliper. After disassembley I find that the pad spring (little metal piece under the pads), is compressed and not doing it's job anymore. I bent it out a little bit and it seemed better, but, I'd like to find a couple of new ones. Does anyone know of a front pad kit that comes with these, or where I might come up a couple of them? Thanks in advance - I'm sure I'll be back looking for more advice as I get into the bike more.

Mike - in downtown Wasilla Alaska

[XS1100 Newbie]

Welcome Mike. You are in the right place for that bike. I would love to see pics of the bike, as would the others here. As far as the brake parts, i have not had to look for those pieces yet. I have bought pads, and other things at Bike Bandit, but some of those pieces are just not out there except used. Don't know for sure on the anti rattle parts. Make sure you check the mounting bolt, and make sure everything is in the right order, and the bolt is not bent. If the bike has been sitting, the look for the post for things to check on a used XS1100. This is a great bike, and you will enjoy it.

[motoman]

Welcome.............and from the home of Gov. Sarah to boot..................

[tcoop]

Welcome to the site.

If those are the original tires you need to get rid of them. I would not trust any tire older than 6 years dry rot does not always show and a blow out could happen at any time.

When you get a chance post some pictures of youir bike.

[psycoreefer]

Just FYI, my bike doesn't have any of those little anti-squeal metal shim pieces and I've never noticed any rattle, I use that blue/red anti squeal paint from the autoparts store on my pads and haven't had any squeals or noises since I started using it.

maybe the solution is to ditch the shims until you find a replacement set.

[CatatonicBug]

As far as I know, those shims are never sold with the brake pads. They are supposed to be flat with little tabs to wrap around the brake pads, so I'm a little concerned about what you mean by "bent it out a little". Pictures would definitely help.

[SFerinTEXAS]

Read all the post and a little confused. Are you talking about the horseshoe piece the pad ears slid in or the wide shoe spring that goes inside the caliper.
Just occurred to me if the horseshoe piece is missing it could cause the same problem.

[DGXSER]

I'm fairly certain the item in question "After disassembley I find that the pad spring (little metal piece under the pads)" is the springy bracket that goes in the center of the caliper prior to installing the pads.

I have not seen this item for sale separately either.

[redbone]

far as i know my brakes don't have nor have ever had a springy bracket going into caliper and they don't make noise. if you are refering to the shims, any tinsmith can make new ones quite easily. i've had new ones made, gratis, but i'm not so sure they are even necessary.

[WMarshy]

Welcome! When is the last time the breaks have been overhualed? If the tires are origional the break fluid might be as well. In that case, they may be hanging up a little. Take a look at the break rebuilding tips and dig in. I suggest cleaning the MC also...

[AkMike]

I'm sure it's the springthingy that goes in the caliper before the pads. It's shown on the parts diagram and they call it a 'pad spring'. The pads have a small 'ear' or tab that rides on the spring thingy to prevent the rattle. The other caliper on this bike has the same piece that is doing it's job fine. This is not a squeal or squeek - it's a rattle that can easily be heard with front wheel in the air and rotated. I bent the spring pad somewhat so it makes contact with pad and that seems to have quieted it for now, but I'd like to find one or two in case others go south on me. As long as I'm asking newbie questionshow about the brake fluid? Did they come from the factory with synthetic?

The bike is a real barn find. Stored in a heated garage for over 20 years. Had 1986 tags on it. New plugs, battery, oiled the cylinders a little bit and she fired right up. Yes - the tires are original and I certainly wouldn't go far with them! thanks.

Mike

[AkMike]

Okay - just found the Yamaha part#. It's called pad, spring 2g2-25919-00-00
number 9 on the front caliper diagram.

Mike

[WMarshy]

Sounds like a nice bike to take that little work to get it to run. There is a sticky post (permanent thread) at the top of the forum that tells you how to post pictures. You have to sign up with photobucket or another free online photo service site to be able to post pictures... Before you do anything else you need to post pictures. People get photo hungry around here when they hear about a bike with that low of miles that seems to have been stored in proper conditions.

The break fluid will need to be chanced, even the good stuff only lasts a handful of years. It absorbs water and allows corrosion to happen, one of the most common things for these bikes is for the front calipers to stick. For a bike like yours, not being open to the harsh weather, they usually just need to be disassembled, cleaned and new fluid. As many will tell you, its hard to believe these bikes are over 30 years old the way they run... but trying to stop can be a quick reminder of thier real age and weight.

As far as that part, I remember them being called "anti-squeal" shims... some still have them and some do not. Its not imparitive that you keep them, they will not impact the breaking ability of your bike. With that said, I can understand if you want to keep them. I doubt you will find a new set of them unless you get lucky and find NOS on ebay. Otherwise, I'd just use some break squeal goop on the back of the pad like suggested. Let us know what else you run into, everyone here has already experienced any problem your likely to have.

[SFerinTEXAS]

I agree its picture time. If you pull the shoe pin and the shoes push backwards out of alignment with the pin holes the the spring is working. If you put the pads in the installed caliper and the pin holes line up with no resistance something is wrong.I still think it could also be a problem with the upper pad clip.

[SFerinTEXAS]

Also as I recall that shoe spring should be pushing up on the exposed piston with the shoes out