Nightster makes a humming noise only backing it up

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May 19, 2010 | 04:34 PM

nightster062008

Thread Starter

Stage I

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1

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Nightster makes a humming noise only backing it up

Does anyone have any idea it could before I go to the dealer waste my money? I was backing into my parking space a soft humming came from the back of my 2008 Nightster.

May 19, 2010 | 06:17 PM

snacks63

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 264

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From: nor cal

its the rear brake pads next time tap the rear brake pedal and see if it quits mine has done it from day 1

May 19, 2010 | 06:46 PM

papadop88

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,725

Likes: 2

From: Los Angeles

its prob your rear brake. Mine does it too when its nice and warm. Heard alot of people's does. It's just singing to you bro. No worries

May 19, 2010 | 09:24 PM

ericb445

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 120

Likes: 1

From: Belleville IL

Rear brake
Its normal

May 19, 2010 | 10:37 PM

09NightsterVB

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 253

Likes: 1

From: Virginia Beach

+1
Rear brake. I sprayed some WD-40 (just a little squirt) on the back of the pads. Haven't had it since (2k miles)

May 20, 2010 | 11:03 AM

Kenny94945

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 3,254

Likes: 521

From: USA

WD sprayed onto brake pad backing plate.
If it worked OK, yet I thought WD should not be used near pads.

So the WD is lubing the surface between the one caliper puck and pad backing plate?
Or it is lubing the surface between the part of the caliper and the stationary pad?

There is disk brake grease that could be used sparingly on the pad spring, pin, surface of the puck where it contacts the pad and inside part of the caliper where it contacts the non moving pad. This may reduce the harmonic vibration noise when reversing the bike.

Agreed normal sound when reversing...I never hear it when moving the bike forward.

May 20, 2010 | 12:26 PM

HOTLAP

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 5,067

Likes: 394

From: Edmonton Alberta Canada

It's just a sigh of sadness from your bike cause it knows your going to shut it off.

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May 20, 2010 | 01:21 PM

Doctrey

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 278

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From: Wylie, TX

Mine does it, too. But I thought it was just because I'm fat.

May 20, 2010 | 01:38 PM

#10

XL50#674

Elite HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 4,904

Likes: 9

From: Streetsboro, Oh

My bike does it real bad-it's normal. The pads sit on the rotor and it's the pads dragging on the rotor. As long as the bike is easy to roll there is no issue. All bikes have a brake noise at low speeds. My Z1000 has a nice hiss when rolling it or at very low speeds.