Yamaha R6 Rear Brake Problem

[CB ARGH]

Hey guys,

I know this is in the wrong section however I need a fast response (mini biker emergency). I'm half way through my trip (entire coastline of the north island), in Tolaga Bay at the moment (50km North of Gisborne).

Bike: 2001 Yamaha YZFR6

Now this sounds very "noobish"... before my trip I adjusted my chain for the first time since I purchased it, it has about 1000 k's on it. I've noticed that the rear brake is super hot after riding, so hot that it has heated up the rim.

Both alignment markers are in the same place, I have tried loosening the bolt that allows you to adjust the brake position and riding ten or so km's for it to seat in and that didn't work.

Any help is much appreciated.

[FJRider]

When the bike is on the main stand with the rear wheel off the deck, will the wheel spin freely ???

[CB ARGH]

The brake rubs when up on the stand. Cheers

[CB ARGH]

What's weird is it isn't enough of a "rub" to slow the bike down, I'm actually getting better fuel mileage than usual (4.53L/100km over three fills instead of 5.10L/100km) thanks to an carb cleaner).

[jasonu]

Are you inadvertently resting your foot on the rear brake pedal?

[FJRider]

The brake rubs when up on the stand. Cheers

If it rubs intermittently ... it it likely the disc is slightly warped. If it rubs through the whole revolution ... it could be a few things.

1. Pads worn to limit and pistons at the end of their travel and not returning after brakes applied ([and or] out of brake fluid).

2. Stone between pad and disc.

3. Disc VERY badly warped

Excessive (rear) brake use and puddle splash on the hot disc can warp a disc.

You weren't riding with your foot covering/resting on the rear brake were you ...???

[FJRider]

What's weird is it isn't enough of a "rub" to slow the bike down, I'm actually getting better fuel mileage than usual (4.53L/100km over three fills instead of 5.10L/100km) thanks to an carb cleaner).

Quite common actually ...

[Trade_nancy]

Did u overfill the rear brake fluid reservoir by chance?

[CB ARGH]

Thanks for the replies.

I did not touch the brake fluid at all. I do not ride with my foot on the brake. Disc is in good condition, only a slight groove on the outer of the disc. It has got to be something to do with the alignment of the wheel, as it was perfectly fine pre chain adj.

[Trade_nancy]

RU certain the brake rotor is excessively hot? After a good thrash - using trail on the rear brake - it would be HOT to touch. The rim in my experience doesn't heat up though. Have u perhaps overdone rear wheel axle nut tightening....?

[FJRider]

Thanks for the replies.

Disc is in good condition, only a slight groove on the outer of the disc.

If you checked by eyesight alone ... you'd need a bloody good pair of eyes to confirm there is no disc warp ... :lol:

Usually the amount of warp (even bad ones) is measured in thousands of an inch ... :rolleyes:


It has got to be something to do with the alignment of the wheel, as it was perfectly fine pre chain adj.

If you say so ... :rolleyes: But how many km's since the adjustment .. ???

[FJRider]

RU certain the brake rotor is excessively hot? After a good thrash - using trail on the rear brake - it would be HOT to touch. The rim in my experience doesn't heat up though. Have u perhaps overdone rear wheel axle nut tightening....?

A partially collapsed wheel bearing may not help ... <_<

[CB ARGH]

RU certain the brake rotor is excessively hot? After a good thrash - using trail on the rear brake - it would be HOT to touch. The rim in my experience doesn't heat up though. Have u perhaps overdone rear wheel axle nut tightening....?

I made sure that the rear axle was in my opinion super tight. I did not use a torque wrench. This could be it.....?

[CB ARGH]

If you checked by eyesight alone ... you'd need a bloody good pair of eyes to confirm there is no disc warp ... :lol:

Usually the amount of warp (even bad ones) is measured in thousands of an inch ... :rolleyes:

If you say so ... :rolleyes: But how many km's since the adjustment .. ???


There is no warp. Never had a problem before the chain adjustment. I have travelled around 1600 km since the adjhstment.

[FJRider]

I made sure that the rear axle was in my opinion super tight. I did not use a torque wrench. This could be it.....?

The rear axle tightens directly onto the bearing center through the spacers. No direct contact onto the rim itself from the axle. Otherwise the wheel would not spin.

If the wheel bearing is ok ... the axle should not heat up.

[FJRider]

There is no warp. Never had a problem before the chain adjustment. I have travelled around 1600 km since the adjhstment.

1600 km's around the East cape ... I would expect some adjustment needed ... :scratch:

[Moise]

Don't assume it's the chain adjustment - faults can develop in 1600 km. It's difficult to see how a chain adjustment could cause the problem if done correctly.

Have you taken the pads out of the caliper and inspected it?

Sent from somewhere using Tapatalk

[jasonu]

Did you check the powerband?:innocent:

[R650R]

I'm inclined to think wheel bearing failure, bike is 16 years old after all. Especially if the rim is hot, how hot is the rim?
Think recent chain adjustment is just coincidental.
Can you smell burnt asbestos type hot brake smell (unmistakeable)? if not then its wheel bearing.
I've had a wheel bearing fail on a truck trailer, it got the rim hot far fatser than any set of draggy brake faults ive ever had.

Get to somewhere local where you can pop the wheel out and check the bearing.

[FJRider]

Did you check the powerband?:innocent:

The R6's came out with the blue ones ... right ... ???

[FJRider]

Get to somewhere local where you can pop the wheel out and check the bearing.

If it is the bearing ... the brake caliper will be the only thing keeping the wheel upright and the bearing (roughly) in place ...

Pull the axle and it could result in a pile of very small marbles ...

[R650R]

If it is the bearing ... the brake caliper will be the only thing keeping the wheel upright and the bearing (roughly) in place ...

Pull the axle and it could result in a pile of very small marbles ...

Better that while still near civilisation than to have it fail in middle of nowhere with fire risk also.
And if it were to fail catastropfically and lock the rear wheel mid corner.....
Better 3-4 days on the beach at Tolga staying in the pub/holiday park waiting for parts than a $800 tow truck bill and or fire service bill....

[FJRider]

Better that while still near civilisation than to have it fail in middle of nowhere with fire risk also.
And if it were to fail catastropfically and lock the rear wheel mid corner.....
Better 3-4 days on the beach at Tolga staying in the pub/holiday park waiting for parts than a $800 tow truck bill and or fire service bill....

True ... no more word from the OP though. Perhaps he loosened the wheel nut a bit/slackened the chain and went for a ride to test it ... and not got back yet.

[Katman]

Quite frankly, the only advice that should be given to someone with as few mechanical clues as the OP clearly has, is take it to a mechanic.

[AllanB]

Quite frankly, the only advice that should be given to someone with as few mechanical clues as the OP clearly has, is take it to a mechanic.

I'm leaning towards the above .....

[CB ARGH]

Thanks for all your help guys. I've fixed the problem. I loosened off the calliper adjuster bolt and gave it a good wriggle around then re tightened it. Worked a treat.

[JATZ]

I'm inclined to think wheel bearing failure, bike is 16 years old after all. Especially if the rim is hot, how hot is the rim?
Think recent chain adjustment is just coincidental.
Can you smell burnt asbestos type hot brake smell (unmistakeable)? if not then its wheel bearing.
I've had a wheel bearing fail on a truck trailer, it got the rim hot far fatser than any set of draggy brake faults ive ever had.

Get to somewhere local where you can pop the wheel out and check the bearing.
I think if a bearing failed you'd know about it from the noise. I've had them fail on the bike and it makes a god awfull sound. I've also had them let go on orchard mowers and mulchers and you can hear them over the sound of a tractor while wearing radio ear muffs. I didn't hear one fail on the boat trailer and like you said it heated up the wheel so much you couldn't touch it, also shredded the tyre.
Good to hear your back on the road OP
:2thumbsup:

[AllanB]

Thanks for all your help guys. I've fixed the problem. I loosened off the calliper adjuster bolt and gave it a good wriggle around then re tightened it. Worked a treat.

Unsure what bolt you refer to as they tend to be solidly mounted with no 'adjustment'. Anyway - fixed it, did you check the pads? If it's been rubbing for that long ........

[Katman]

Unsure what bolt you refer to as they tend to be solidly mounted with no 'adjustment'.

It's just further reinforcement of the OP's cluelessness.

[FJRider]

Unsure what bolt you refer to as they tend to be solidly mounted with no 'adjustment'. Anyway - fixed it, did you check the pads? If it's been rubbing for that long ........

I've seen rear calipers removed (for whatever reason) and later remounted with one washer under one end of the caliper. As the caliper was then mounted on an angle ... so it was that later the pads were also worn on an angle.

He did complain of poor rear braking and rubbing sounds too ... :yes:

[FJRider]

It's just further reinforcement of the OP's cluelessness.

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/178684-What-I-see-as-a-motorcyclist-eight-years-on-A-tribute-to-Kiwi-Biker?p=1130971471#post1130971471

His words ... :shifty:


So to finish, respect and believe the tips/advice that you receive on our forum. Kiwibiker is an amazing website packed full of useful information that may one day help save your life and/or your treasured motorcycle.

[SVboy]

It's just further reinforcement of the OP's cluelessness.


Your rudeness is surpassed only by your online arrogance. Which is surprising given your reputation for helpfulness back in the real world.

[Moise]

Unsure what bolt you refer to as they tend to be solidly mounted with no 'adjustment'. Anyway - fixed it, did you check the pads? If it's been rubbing for that long ........
Yeah, I'm puzzled as to what he's done and what the problem was. I assume he means chain adjuster.

Anyway, the main thing is that it's fixed and he's back on the road.

Sent from somewhere using Tapatalk

[madbikeboy]

Quite frankly, the only advice that should be given to someone with as few mechanical clues as the OP clearly has, is take it to a mechanic.

I rode through Taupo last night on the way back to Hong Kong. I mean, ...Auckland. I waved as I rode through, but you didn't wave back. Rude bastard.