(2005 V-Strom DL650) Rear brake "click" sound?

[TekNinja81]

Hey folks,

I've had my '05 Wee since last November, got it with 23,500Km on the odometer and am sitting at around 41,000Km today.

Just today, I noticed that I can hear and slightly feel what might be a SINGLE metallic "click" when applying my rear brake to stop at red lights etc. It doesn't happen every time, but most. From what I can tell, it happens around the half-way point between no brake pressure and full braking power.

This oddity doesn't seem to be affecting braking at all and the bike is running fine otherwise. Rear pads were changed a few months ago; I *did* just have my brake fluid changed (front & rear) last week, so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it -- but what would be causing it if so? Could it just be a dirty brake pad/disc? (They look fine though I do believe I can see a tiny "shiny metal" spot on the rear of my brake pad...)

I'm going to spray everything down with brake cleaner in the morning, but if anyone can offer some suggestion as to what this may be, I would greatly appreciate it. Hoping it's nothing major/at all but would rather be safe than sorry!

 

[Mina]

Have you tried calling up the dealership that you purchased the bike from (no need to drag their name through the mud) and told them that after ~17,000 KM's your rear brake makes a clicking sound?
It should be covered under warranty IMO.

 

[TekNinja81]

How about, in the future, you shove your troll responses up your ***, and refrain from replying to legitimate posts with such "helpful" suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[N3WMAN]

Have you tried calling up the dealership that you purchased the bike from (no need to drag their name through the mud) and told them that after ~17,000 KM's your rear brake makes a clicking sound?
It should be covered under warranty IMO.

Not gonna lie, I lol'd.

2 Things:
Why do you use your rear brake?
If it still works, then who cares?

If it's still doing it on thursday I could look at it at L&L.

 

[TekNinja81]

Why do you use your rear brake?
If it still works, then who cares?
If it's still doing it on thursday I could look at it at L&L.

I generally only use the rear brake when at low speed and coming to a full stop; stopping using only the front brake isn't a very nice feeling on a heavy bike like the V-Strom.

I'm hoping it's nothing to be worried about, but the fact it sounds like a metal clicking sound has me thinking there could be a mechanical issue somewhere that I can't see. StromTrooper forum suggested making sure the brake caliper hasn't been mounted incorrectly, which I'm positive it's not, but will be doublechecking that. I should be at L&L so if I haven't resolved it by then I'll keep an eye out for you.

 

[skip]

The caliper bracket has a channel on it that sits on a rail on the swing arm. If the bracket isn't mounted correctly you get a click (know from past experience). The brake will still work but the bracket and caliper will move around some.

 

[frekeyguy]

Check the little things like....your pads / brackets/ mounts. You can have someone sit on your bike and depress the pedal to see if it makes the same sound. or put it on a stand and run the bike to see if you can hear the sound

 

[TekNinja81]

The caliper bracket has a channel on it that sits on a rail on the swing arm. If the bracket isn't mounted correctly you get a click (know from past experience). The brake will still work but the bracket and caliper will move around some.

Check the little things like....your pads / brackets/ mounts. You can have someone sit on your bike and depress the pedal to see if it makes the same sound. or put it on a stand and run the bike to see if you can hear the sound

Great suggestions, thanks guys. Upon double-checking my caliper, I did find that it has a very slight amount of play (about 0.5-1mm I'd say) pulling it "away" from the disc, so one or both of the 2 bolts holding it in place may have come a bit loose. Don't have my tools with me at work so I'll try tightening it tonight and see if that fixes things.

BTW, I did try running the bike while on the center stand (which I hate doing but..) and couldn't reproduce the sound.. maybe because there's less of a friction buildup and the wheel stops so much easier without dragging on the brakes.

 

[infernobuster]

How about, in the future, you shove your troll responses up your ***, and refrain from replying to legitimate posts with such "helpful" suggestions?

Thanks.

LMAO. Voted "best post of the day"

Anyways, i would take your rear caliper off and clean everything up. And ensure nothing is dragging.
Check for excessive wear on your pads. I doubt it would be the fluid at this point.

 

[TekNinja81]

Anyways, i would take your rear caliper off and clean everything up. And ensure nothing is dragging.
Check for excessive wear on your pads. I doubt it would be the fluid at this point.

Will give this a shot as well, once I've got my tools handy I was thinking of taking everything apart anyway just to be sure.

I do wonder: I can't say for sure, but the click sound seems closer to the brake pedal assembly than the actual caliper, but it's hard to tell when riding. Any suggestions what that could be if I'm correct?

 

[TekNinja81]

Tightened the bolts holding the caliper to the swingarm and whatnot, no difference. Friend suggested it may be one of the springs in around the brake pedal assembly shifting occasionally; noticed a fair bit of gunk built up in the area so will be cleaning that general area up and have to see if I can trace the sound to a specific point if it continues.

From the looks of it this isn't anything serious at all, just an annoyance more than anything.

 

[N3WMAN]

Will give this a shot as well, once I've got my tools handy I was thinking of taking everything apart anyway just to be sure.

I do wonder: I can't say for sure, but the click sound seems closer to the brake pedal assembly than the actual caliper, but it's hard to tell when riding. Any suggestions what that could be if I'm correct?

Could be the rear brake light switch.