Kawasaki Clonk!

[Ninja51]

Hey guys... I get a slight "clonk" noise when I use the front brake on my ZX9. It only does it once each time the brakes are biting. Any ideas? Pads and discs are in good shape and all anti squeel shims are OK too. The brakes were bled and fluid replaced just before Christmas as part of the importation proceedure.

[PSYCHO]

Ninja, are you talking about when you are justing "pushing" the bike forward or backwards and you apply the brake and you hear a "clonk" ?

If so ,my last c1 did this also, I found it to be the pad bumping against the inside of the caliper as the pads gripped the disc . There doesn't need to be much freeplay in there to get this. I wouldn't be to concerned.

How many miles do you have on the bike?

[Timetogo]

THe 6-pots wear with age and the pad gets a bit loose inside the caliper. The other thing it might be is the steering head bearings might need slightly tightened, you've done a few miles...

Alternatively try looking at this
http://www.kgrant.co.uk/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1042&highlight=brake+clonk

if the link doesn't work do a search for brake clonk :-) at
http://www.kgrant.co.uk/Forum/phpBB2/search.php

its been discussed many time :wari:

[bugjuice]

if it's any consolation, my bike 'clonks' bloody loudly when I pull on hard, or just rolling back normally it does it too. It's just the pads moving, like Phsyco mentions. That might start to happen as the pads wear down. They used to fit all nice and snug, but now the pads are wearing down, there's more play inside the calipers.

If you're really worried, pull the calipers off and have a look around the spring clips etc, make sure they're all there for a start (haven't pinged off at all, or broke) and have a look around the pads' backs for shiny metal, which is probably where it's rubbing and allowing it to make the knocking noise. If it all looks fine, probably is. You'll probably see if it isn't! Look for any cracks in the face of the pads too, just to be sure the knocking isn't fracturing them. Really really shouldn't be, but if they're off, might as well check them and clean them up since you're there.

[Marmoot]

I'd have a look at the steering head bearing if I were u

[Sensei]

Check your disc's Pins that hold the outter disc to the inner which bolts to your wheel , sometime's these can get flogged out from been old & let the outter disc to move even thou they do float alittle , when worn they will move alot .
If so you may be up for some new Disc carryer's ?
SENSEI

[riffer]

Been pulling a few wheelies lately?

Sounds like what my bike used to do - I discovered the bottom steering head bearing was misaligned.

I live in Upper Hutt too - I could pop around and help you out with it if you like.

I'm only a guitarist though... not one of these bloody drummers that seem to be everywhere on KB...

[Ninja51]

I live in Upper Hutt too - I could pop around and help you out with it if you like.

I'm only a guitarist though... not one of these bloody drummers that seem to be everywhere on KB...[/QUOTE]


Ah...another Huttite eh?
I think Ive sourced the "clonk". The floating portion of my discs "floats" just a wee bit too much I think. I can certainly grab them and rock them against the fixed hub sufficiently to re create the clonk without the brakes being applied at all.

Thanks for the offer. Pop round any time for a cuppa though. 4 Garrett Place, Riverstone.

What do you mean...ONLY a guitarist!! At least youre a musician...Im ONLY a drummer!! lol