Brake Grind Sounds Normal?
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Stage III
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
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Brake Grind Sounds Normal?
Just got my first Harley, had a rocket before but it was super uncomfortable and just wasn't all that enjoyable. Anyway I bought that new and the Harley has 3600 miles on it so I was a little weary with not much bike experience that it wouldn't just fall apart while I was riding. The one thing that irritated me was the brakes sounds like they are griding when I use it, mainly the front brake. I do not remember that happening on my crotch rocket. Another thing I noticed which was the same as on the rocket is when I shift it make a loud clang sound, which I'm assuming is normal but how can they not make a bike that can go smoothly enough to not make that sound? Oh also is there any cheap ways to make the exhaust a little louder and a little more Harley sounding. It sounds a little too consistent and not enough bass. Thanks for the help guys!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,903
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From: Edmonton
I notice the Dyna's always sound like they have a warped rotor. But the grinding might indicate a greater problem, First look at the rotor to see if it has unusual wear marks such as deep grooves cut in it. At the milage you indicate perhaps a small rock got in the brakes or the disk pads were not installed correctly-maybe break in was not also done right.
Harley trannies always clunk when they shift-lets ya know they changed gears or at least any factory one I have seen does. Never modded factory pipes before so I have no Ideas there.
Harley trannies always clunk when they shift-lets ya know they changed gears or at least any factory one I have seen does. Never modded factory pipes before so I have no Ideas there.
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Stage III
Joined: Sep 2009
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That was the first thing I did was inspect rotors and pads(as much as I could). They seem fine to me, if anything they seem a little too smooth. Should the brakes be heard at all when you use them? Maybe it's normal. I doubt someone driving by me would hear it as it is very light just never heard it on my crotch rocket.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
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From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
Have you ever try to clean them with brake cleaner. Some times I will get a little wax or oil on the rotors and it can hold dirt. I will use the brake hard a couple good times to clean them out.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
Get a service manual from HD for your model and pull the front caliper and pads, then look for any debris in there. It's not that hard if you know your way around a tool box I'm sure you can do it. A 1/4" 12 point socket is the best tool. the rotors have vents and at times you can hear a buzzing sound on soft applications. The clanging, banging is primarily from square cut gears, secondary is the design of the primary chain to clutch to tranny, it's a Harley thing, what model and year? Welcome to the forum.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
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Get a service manual from HD for your model and pull the front caliper and pads, then look for any debris in there. It's not that hard if you know your way around a tool box I'm sure you can do it. A 1/4" 12 point socket is the best tool. the rotors have vents and at times you can hear a buzzing sound on soft applications. The clanging, banging is primarily from square cut gears, secondary is the design of the primary chain to clutch to tranny, it's a Harley thing, what model and year? Welcome to the forum.
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Ultimate HDF Member
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From: Republic of Texas
If the brakes work and the pads are not wore all the way down and a visual inspection verifies that the brakes are okay----they are okay. I don't have enough of some ranges of my hearing to hear brake squealers or some other high pitched noises. So I must always rely on visual checks and the feel of the brakes.
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Is it a constant noise that goes away when you lightly apply the brakes? If so, it is the normal Harley brake noise (at least on a Dyna). I bought my bike new and took it into the dealer thinking someting was wrong because of the constant hissing/grinding noise from the front brakes. Was told it was normal and I have since heard it on several friends bikes. I repleced my pads with Lyndall Z plus pads and the noise was gone.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 354
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From: San Diego
Just got my first Harley, had a rocket before but it was super uncomfortable and just wasn't all that enjoyable. Anyway I bought that new and the Harley has 3600 miles on it so I was a little weary with not much bike experience that it wouldn't just fall apart while I was riding. The one thing that irritated me was the brakes sounds like they are griding when I use it, mainly the front brake. I do not remember that happening on my crotch rocket. Another thing I noticed which was the same as on the rocket is when I shift it make a loud clang sound, which I'm assuming is normal but how can they not make a bike that can go smoothly enough to not make that sound? Oh also is there any cheap ways to make the exhaust a little louder and a little more Harley sounding. It sounds a little too consistent and not enough bass. Thanks for the help guys!
Look at the FRONT rotors.. they are stamped LEFT and RIGHT. My 2007 service manual says LEFT should be on RIGHT and vice versa. I've been told on good source this is not a safety issue, but was done to address owner complaints of brake noise.
If your rotors have a fan blade cut pattern, the inside of the "blade" should lead with wheel rotation.
Also, if that's the case make sure the cooling holes in the rotors are lined up across both rotors as mounted on wheel. Another service manual call out.
Good luck.