2008 VRSCAW with ~1,600 miles. I am hearing what I would describe as a rubbing noise that appears to be most noticeable around 20-30 mph. I believe it's coming from the front end, but honestly I can't say for sure. I can coast down a hill in neutral with no brakes applied, and I can hear and "feel" it best in the 20 to 30 mph range, although I think it remains all the way to a stop, it's just not as loud. I'm not applying the brakes, so I don't think it is the brake pads, but perhaps they could still be hugging the rotor?
Anyway, do these symptoms ring a bell with anyone?
That's pretty normal stuff. There's nothing that moves the pads away from the rotor after you let off the brakes, so they can and do still slightly rub the rotor during normal operation.
The reason you hear it best at 20 to 30 is just physics: the rotor is moving fast enough at that speed to generate enough sound to hear, but the bike isn't moving fast enough yet to make enough noise to mask the rubbing sound. I bet you don't hear it at 60 mph.
Get the front wheel up and give it a spin; I think you'll find the noise.
Check the belt tension, and also wash it? Dust on the belt or a misadjusted belt will produce a howl.
Brakes, put it up on a jack and spin the wheels. The bodge alternative if you don't have a lift is to prize each set of pads loose at a time and run down a hill. Don't forget the brakes at the end you prized loose will need pumping before they work. This would be a great way for the mechanically inept to win a Darwin award
Thanks for the info! I'll give her a good bath and see if I can get the wheel off the ground for a spin. I think I'll defer the brake pad removal step at this point - a Darwin award is not on my list of to-dos.
Just in case, I'm not suggesting removing the pads, just levering them apart a bit so they don't drag (so long as you leave that brake alone until after the test).
You can also ride for a bit without touching the brakes, then use then engine and / or a slope to coast to a stop, and feel the disks. If one is hot, that brake is sticking.
I get a slight "Swooosh" from the back during normal riding. After a good washing my back brake scratches and howwwwllllsss. It sounds better after a light coating of brake dust.
Stock brake pads give a swishing sound. If that is all it is replace them with Lyndallracing Z-Pads. Lots of comments on the forum regarding the swishing issue.
I have a similar sound. I confirmed it was the brake pads simply enough by squeezing the front brake. The noise went away. The noise doesn't worry me at all now that I know what it is.
I just posted about a noise myself coming from the back end - turns out my belt guard
is rubbing on my tire sidewall - my bike is all stock, and had 73 miles on it when I picked it up Wednesday....
our Police Bikes are worse....it is the brakes slightly touching the rotor. ...
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Harley Davidson V-Rod Forum
2.7M posts
68.6K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Harley Davidson V-Rod Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, performance, classifieds, and more!