Silly brake question
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Silly brake question
Is there any way to adjust stock HD disc brakes? The rear wheel seems to drag a bit more than normal when on a lift and the wheel is manually rotated. Even on level ground, I think that there may be too much resistance when pushing the bike around with the engine off. Unless I missed it, I didn't see anything in the shop manual. It's a 2010 FatBoy, brakes seem fine otherwise. Belt tension is correct. Thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Take the caliper off and see if the caliper sits in the middle of the bracket
If it does not, you probablyhave a warped rotor like I did
Here is a picture of the rotor I took off, it is warped all to helll but couldnt see to what extent until I took it off the wheel
The tell tale sign is being sure the rotor is in the middle of the bracket when the caliper is removed
more details on this thread
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...est-thing.html
If it does not, you probablyhave a warped rotor like I did
Here is a picture of the rotor I took off, it is warped all to helll but couldnt see to what extent until I took it off the wheel
The tell tale sign is being sure the rotor is in the middle of the bracket when the caliper is removed
more details on this thread
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...est-thing.html
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
I would first just remove the caliper for the inspection of the rotor.
As you can see, the rotor is set farther toward the wheel instead of being centered.
I then removed the rotor and that is when I found it was warped pretty bad.
if yours is just dragging a little, it may just be tweaked a little
Is it a constant drag or does it come and go as you spin the wheel? If it comes and goes, it is definitely warped.
if you can do so safely, Fire up the bike while on a lift/jack while in 1st gear and walk to the back to take a look at what is happening,
BE CAREFUL...STRAP THE BIKE DOWN!!
Hope this helps
As you can see, the rotor is set farther toward the wheel instead of being centered.
I then removed the rotor and that is when I found it was warped pretty bad.
if yours is just dragging a little, it may just be tweaked a little
Is it a constant drag or does it come and go as you spin the wheel? If it comes and goes, it is definitely warped.
if you can do so safely, Fire up the bike while on a lift/jack while in 1st gear and walk to the back to take a look at what is happening,
BE CAREFUL...STRAP THE BIKE DOWN!!
Hope this helps
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
My front rotor is off center too and sets farther towards the wheel when looking at the caliper. the inside brake pad hardly has any travel at all on the pistons. The rotor doesn't looked warped to me but like was said, maybe after taking it off the wheel it will be more noticeable. I'm going to change the rotor soon and see if that helps. Just sucks that I put new Lyndall brake pads on it about 5,000 miles ago. I'm gonna have to replace those again now.
When I bought the bike the rotor already had some purpleing on it like it was really heated up at some time. The bike was the demo model and had a few thousand miles on it. Someone must have braked hard on it or something I don't know.
When I bought the bike the rotor already had some purpleing on it like it was really heated up at some time. The bike was the demo model and had a few thousand miles on it. Someone must have braked hard on it or something I don't know.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
I would first just remove the caliper for the inspection of the rotor.
As you can see, the rotor is set farther toward the wheel instead of being centered.
I then removed the rotor and that is when I found it was warped pretty bad.
if yours is just dragging a little, it may just be tweaked a little
Is it a constant drag or does it come and go as you spin the wheel? If it comes and goes, it is definitely warped.
if you can do so safely, Fire up the bike while on a lift/jack while in 1st gear and walk to the back to take a look at what is happening,
BE CAREFUL...STRAP THE BIKE DOWN!!
Hope this helps
As you can see, the rotor is set farther toward the wheel instead of being centered.
I then removed the rotor and that is when I found it was warped pretty bad.
if yours is just dragging a little, it may just be tweaked a little
Is it a constant drag or does it come and go as you spin the wheel? If it comes and goes, it is definitely warped.
if you can do so safely, Fire up the bike while on a lift/jack while in 1st gear and walk to the back to take a look at what is happening,
BE CAREFUL...STRAP THE BIKE DOWN!!
Hope this helps
Constant steady drag. Good ideas...thank you.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
My 06 Night Train has the same thing. Just a light, steady constant drag. Not enough to impede rolling however.
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I am not saying that you don't have issues like warped rotor but what you need to remember is that unlike drum brakes that have a spring that pulls the brake shoe away from the drum nothing pulls the pistons back. Releasing the lever merely takes pressure off the piston and thereby the pad and rotaion of the wheel wears the pad, just a bit so there is know more contact. Happens every time you apply the brake. No big deal.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA
A piston inside the caliper that sticks will cause constant pressure on the brake pad and will build heat....The heat will cause the rotor to warp. I've had more caliper pistons bind up than I can remember...It's not difficult to fix but is usually found after the damage is done.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
A piston inside the caliper that sticks will cause constant pressure on the brake pad and will build heat....The heat will cause the rotor to warp. I've had more caliper pistons bind up than I can remember...It's not difficult to fix but is usually found after the damage is done.
AT 15k the dealer who did my cams installed new rear pads.
When I looked at the old pads after i got my bike back home I checked them and they wasn't even 1/2 gone. Then the next time I cleaned my wheels I could only spin the rear wheel 1/2 a turn.
Last summer at 28k I had our local INDY put new brakes on front and rear. when I got home I jacked her up and the front wheels spins 6-7 times. bout twice as before and the rear wheel goes 2turns + easy now.
dirty pistons the cause. thinking the wrench at the dealership didn't clean the piston at the 15k change.