EvenmoreXS
1981 XS650
Hello there fellow forum members. I am seeking advice on a starting point for an unusual problem I've recently begun to have that is somehow involved with the rear brake. I'll do my best to explain in long story short form:
Bike sat during the cold weather under my carport. I did start her every couple of weeks just to let her run for a moment.... Insert jokes about Florida's " Cold Weather " here ____________.
Upon riding again I've been noticing an intermittent issue that's bugging me.
It only does it about every 20th time I use the rear brake. Braking conditions ...hard or soft seems to have no effect on if it does it or not.
When riding and coming to a stop Im a front and rear brake guy.. I use both gently.. or as needed obviously. I've been using the rear brake a little more lately just in trying to find some form of reference... Like it only does it in second gear, or it always does it when I only use the rear brake but I cant find any degree of consistency or predictability other than a slight difference in feel in the brake pedal depression that tells me it may do it " this time "... and it is a very minor feel, but I can feel it.. Or maybe Im being hyper observant and noticing something that isn't there.
But here it is... Occasionally, and mostly unpredictably, when using the rear brake there is a... for lack of a better word... a POP,, or a CLANK. Last one split second and braking is normal. I can feel the clank in the pedal but also what feels like the entire bike. It isn't violent but it is worrysome. To compare the way it feels to something unrelated.. consider the way it feels when you drop into first gear from a stop and the gears engage. It doesn't lunge or pull forward but you can feel it engage. "Clank".
My idea is it has something to do with the drum stay arm... or the pivot in the drum, or one pad wearing different than the other.... My concern is that it has something to do with the fact that the chain is involved due to being connected to the sprockets which in turn in connected to the tranny.... Im probably overthinking that last part.
I have to do some more riding and checking but it did it in fourth, third, and second gear and Im pretty sure it did it In Neutral while pulling into my parking garage earlier today.. could have been 2nd but I was in the process of downshifting and I cant be positive if I had completed the change.. Again, I have to try to see if I can get it to do it while rolling in neutral which may rule something in or out.
Braking seems to be fine other than this but it does concern me. Want to jump on it soon..
Please chime in with any experience or advice.
For reference, I was going to change my brake shoes about 2 years ago but there was so much good material there at the time I left it alone. Had no problems since then until this in the last few weeks. I've probably put 8k miles on it since then. Maybe less but I doubt more.
As always, Thank you to you all. You are an invaluable resource of knowledge and inspiration..
Bike sat during the cold weather under my carport. I did start her every couple of weeks just to let her run for a moment.... Insert jokes about Florida's " Cold Weather " here ____________.
Upon riding again I've been noticing an intermittent issue that's bugging me.
It only does it about every 20th time I use the rear brake. Braking conditions ...hard or soft seems to have no effect on if it does it or not.
When riding and coming to a stop Im a front and rear brake guy.. I use both gently.. or as needed obviously. I've been using the rear brake a little more lately just in trying to find some form of reference... Like it only does it in second gear, or it always does it when I only use the rear brake but I cant find any degree of consistency or predictability other than a slight difference in feel in the brake pedal depression that tells me it may do it " this time "... and it is a very minor feel, but I can feel it.. Or maybe Im being hyper observant and noticing something that isn't there.
But here it is... Occasionally, and mostly unpredictably, when using the rear brake there is a... for lack of a better word... a POP,, or a CLANK. Last one split second and braking is normal. I can feel the clank in the pedal but also what feels like the entire bike. It isn't violent but it is worrysome. To compare the way it feels to something unrelated.. consider the way it feels when you drop into first gear from a stop and the gears engage. It doesn't lunge or pull forward but you can feel it engage. "Clank".
My idea is it has something to do with the drum stay arm... or the pivot in the drum, or one pad wearing different than the other.... My concern is that it has something to do with the fact that the chain is involved due to being connected to the sprockets which in turn in connected to the tranny.... Im probably overthinking that last part.
I have to do some more riding and checking but it did it in fourth, third, and second gear and Im pretty sure it did it In Neutral while pulling into my parking garage earlier today.. could have been 2nd but I was in the process of downshifting and I cant be positive if I had completed the change.. Again, I have to try to see if I can get it to do it while rolling in neutral which may rule something in or out.
Braking seems to be fine other than this but it does concern me. Want to jump on it soon..
Please chime in with any experience or advice.
For reference, I was going to change my brake shoes about 2 years ago but there was so much good material there at the time I left it alone. Had no problems since then until this in the last few weeks. I've probably put 8k miles on it since then. Maybe less but I doubt more.
As always, Thank you to you all. You are an invaluable resource of knowledge and inspiration..