Front wheel very tight!

[shanks]

So I got my forks straightend and after putting the front wheel and the calipers back on I noticed that the front wheel is really tight!

I have changed the brake fluids so theres no air trapped in the tubes/calipers.

But its really tight, like i really have to push the bike to get it moving.

Any ideas why its doing that?

[FJRider]

Disc Warp ... ??? Axel bent ... ??? Bearing fucked ... ??? Piston jammed/not returning ... ??? Brake mounts bent or missaligned ... ???

With the brake lines still connected ... unbolt the brakes and remove from the disc's. See if it is still hard to push. If it is ... it isn't the brakes.

[The Singing Chef]

So I got my forks straightend and after putting the front wheel and the calipers back on I noticed that the front wheel is really tight!

I have changed the brake fluids so theres no air trapped in the tubes/calipers.

But its really tight, like i really have to push the bike to get it moving.

Any ideas why its doing that?

It's in 1st gear? :innocent:

Are the brake pads set properly, that could be part of the problem? What about the grease on the axle?

Just spouting random ideas here.

[unstuck]

Disc Warp ... ??? Axel bent ... ??? Bearing fucked ... ??? Piston jammed/not returning ... ??? Brake mounts bent or missaligned ... ???

With the brake lines still connected ... unbolt the brakes and remove from the disc's. See if it is still hard to push. If it is ... it isn't the brakes.

Wot he said.:yes:

[shanks]

Disc Warp ... ??? Axel bent ... ??? Bearing fucked ... ??? Piston jammed/not returning ... ??? Brake mounts bent or missaligned ... ???

With the brake lines still connected ... unbolt the brakes and remove from the disc's. See if it is still hard to push. If it is ... it isn't the brakes.

Thanks! I will have another look at it. Im pretty sure before putting the brakes on the disc, the wheel was rotating fine. I have a feeling its something with the brakes. It was my first time putting the brakes back on, so theres a good chance of stuffing it up lol.

Anything to look out for on the brake pads? How do I know if I have done something wrong?


It's in 1st gear? :innocent:

Are the brake pads set properly, that could be part of the problem? What about the grease on the axle?

Just spouting random ideas here.

Its in neutral. I think it possibly could be the brake pads.
I just read your blog "Dawn Ride". Beautifully written mate! Couldn't comment coz I don't have an account there but I shared it on fb with that link beneath it.

[The Singing Chef]

Thanks! I will have another look at it. Im pretty sure before putting the brakes on the disc, the wheel was rotating fine. I have a feeling its something with the brakes. It was my first time putting the brakes back on, so theres a good chance of stuffing it up lol.

Anything to look out for on the brake pads? How do I know if I have done something wrong?



Its in neutral. I think it possibly could be the brake pads.
I just read your blog "Dawn Ride". Beautifully written mate! Couldn't comment coz I don't have an account there but I shared it on fb with that link beneath it.

I have just replaced my front wheel and calipers as well, as you would have seen by my last post on my blog, need to get new pads though which I have just ordered from Cycletreads. Bloody expensive little things they are.

Thanks for that Shanks :yes: Much appreciated.

[SWERVE]

Just a wee tip for those fitting forks/wheels/etc to the front.
When all assembled dont tighten axle bolt or pinch bolt with front end suspended............ let bike onto floor and give the front a few real good bounces (to centralise everything) Then do up axle and pinch bolt....... then lift back up and fit calipers.

[manxkiwi]

All good points so far. I've said before in another thread, I've found it good standard practice to pump out the piston(s) a bit. Clean them well, then apply a tiny amount silcone grease to the outer of the piston(s) only! Then you can push 'em back and do the rest of what you need to do.

One potential culprit off the list and, as I say, good standard practice for every time you've got calipers off the forks.

Hopefully this will be of some help. Cheers.

[actungbaby]

With my bike vfr 750 there a line on the axle on the left side you have that flush with fork leg

the rotor being warped wont stop wheel turning as my right hand disc is very much 25 mm at one point. check that spacers are

in the right way ie that got corect ones on right side or if there only one thats right side .

let me know how you go , i had my front wheel to much one side and was what the so case trail and error really to get it spot one

but like fj said try taking calibers of , my pistons where sezied but caused bad knocking which was more right disc being bent,

as i took right caliber to stop this but wheel was this locked . i whould say be bearing issue to get that bad,

just try but leg either side front wheel and twist handle bars get them in right postion with wheel dead true.

then you can strin line from back wheel to your front to make sure its inline


So I got my forks straightend and after putting the front wheel and the calipers back on I noticed that the front wheel is really tight!

I have changed the brake fluids so theres no air trapped in the tubes/calipers.

But its really tight, like i really have to push the bike to get it moving.

Any ideas why its doing that?

[gammaguy]

who says they straightened the forks properly?

[paturoa]

Firstly, do your diagnostics with the front wheel off the ground.

[actungbaby]

Firstly, do your diagnostics with the front wheel off the ground.

Yes i but a jar jack under my exhust undeneth the sump , as i needed to do this as my orginal forks where wreaked

If itas had a bigish impact check your front axle as mine was so bent you chould see it with the eye .

I still think its not the forks though whould pay to have them just right for bike handling safety

u sure not just front guard rubbing on the tire

[shanks]

Ahh thanks guys! Appreciate you guys tryna help me fix this. I will check the front axle.

I don't have any mechanical background so Im not getting the jargons slash technical stuff on tools and parts...which is embarrasing.

Crashed the bike in Nov last year and still trying to fix it. Most of the stuff is done but new things that needs fixing keep popping up.. Getting frustated. I see all these bikers riding on a sunny day...and im like man he is cool!lol

I just saw a leak today :facepalm: it seems slightly thick so I dont think its the water pump. Doesnt look like its petrol either. Now I gotta figure out where its leaking from..:sweatdrop

I also bought two front led indicators. I have the original indicators at rear. When I put the leds on, all four are lit to start with and when I click either direction, they flash faster than usual. I went to Red Baron, and the guy said to get the resistors ($15) which should do the job. What do you guys think? Is it the lack of resistors causing this hyper-flash?

[FJRider]

Is it the lack of resistors causing this hyper-flash?

Yes ...........

Post a pic or two. Of the leak and front brake set up from various angles and close up.

[ducatilover]

Buy a non load sensitive indicator relay, resistors are stupid, bulky and generate heat. A CF-13 flasher unit will work (got one in one of my bikes running all LEDs)

[davebullet]

Just a wee tip for those fitting forks/wheels/etc to the front.
When all assembled dont tighten axle bolt or pinch bolt with front end suspended............ let bike onto floor and give the front a few real good bounces (to centralise everything) Then do up axle and pinch bolt....... then lift back up and fit calipers.

This is very important. If this isn't done - at best, you'll notice an uneven sound as the brake pads scrape unevenly past the discs. A motorbike shop did this with my last tyre change. A suspension guy fixed it by this simple technique. She's now as even / smooth as glass.

[shanks]

Thanks men! The front tyre is fixed. The brake pads were not fitted properly. When the mechanic took the brake pads out, the disc started moving freely. He got some dust out of the pads and pushed them further apart with a screwdriver to create space for the disc.

Now time for wof!

Im gonna check with cycletreads tomorrow but do you guys know if they pick up bikes for servicing and wof? My bike all of a sudden decided not to start up on Monday when I was about to take it over the shore for wof. Its not the battery this time. Ugh.