Brake pad friction on rotor after wheel replacement

[boyoboy]

Just wanted to come back and report that I believe I've eliminated the rotor drag. I went back on Thurs evening and give the whole wheel install another go. This time I pumped the pistons almost entirely out so I was able to clean them entirely. I also picked up and added some brake lube to the pistons, which did the exact opposite of what it was supposed to and gummed them up real good. Cleaned them up again, and despite a brief stint of low braking pressure, they've been good since.

In the process I was able to determine that my forks are most likely out of alignment. Again, the only way I was able to get the front wheel centered was by tightening the axle nut way over spec to be enough to pull the right fork inward toward the wheel. The bike drives straight, but feels a little floaty at the odd time, and right turns feel a little bit off. I also doubt that the extra pressure on the fork is doing it any favours, and I really don't want to be riding when it decides it's had enough. Hoping it's a matter of them being twisted as opposed to being bent, which I've read can be a simple enough process to fix, but I can really only try one method (front tire between someone's knees, loosen fork bolts, and jolt things around). Most others require a triple tree stand, which I don't have.

Other than that, I realized one of my clip ons is bent upwards. Tried straightening that using a vice, but that wasn't able to do much so I'll need to replace that. Other than that, everything else seems ok.

slightly bent fork tubes can be straightened....hope the triples are ok.

 

[caboose56]

In the process I was able to determine that my forks are most likely out of alignment. Again, the only way I was able to get the front wheel centered was by tightening the axle nut way over spec to be enough to pull the right fork inward toward the wheel. The bike drives straight, but feels a little floaty at the odd time, and right turns feel a little bit off. I also doubt that the extra pressure on the fork is doing it any favours, and I really don't want to be riding when it decides it's had enough. Hoping it's a matter of them being twisted as opposed to being bent, which I've read can be a simple enough process to fix, but I can really only try one method (front tire between someone's knees, loosen fork bolts, and jolt things around). Most others require a triple tree stand, which I don't have.

You really need to get this fixed, mounting the wheel the way you describe means there is definitely going to be some stiction between the inner and outer fork bushings. There's no way that the forks are sliding properly. Every mile you ride like this is putting a lot of wear and tear on those bushings.

I think you need to pull the front end apart completely and check the forks to verify that they are straight.

 

[DJ-RK]

remember post #2 ?

did you take freakey up on his generous offer? would be a good idea. by your own description the bikes handling/steering is not right. if there was enough force to bend your wheel, there was enough force to damage other things. check your forks/triples for damage, and the front to rear wheel alignment for clues.

i bet freakey would be on this like a detective...

slightly bent fork tubes can be straightened....hope the triples are ok.

You really need to get this fixed, mounting the wheel the way you describe means there is definitely going to be some stiction between the inner and outer fork bushings. There's no way that the forks are sliding properly. Every mile you ride like this is putting a lot of wear and tear on those bushings.

I think you need to pull the front end apart completely and check the forks to verify that they are straight.

Thanks for the follow up and the concern. Yes, I did take frekey up on his offer. He was kind enough to give it a quick look over, and he basically came to the same conclusion as you (boyoboy), that if since there was enough force to bend the rim then most likely the forks or triples got bent too. He suggested I get parts to replace the forks and lower triple, offered to work on it over the winter and quoted me for the work.

Since it was not a super-thorough inspection (just a glance over with a flashlight on his driveway), to me it felt more like speculation rather than a definitive confirmation of the issue, so before committing to such a big job I wanted to see if I could get another opinion, and since I had to buy a set of new tires anyway I decided to take the bike into Speedworx and they offered to take a look at the issue while they installed the tires. To them, everything seemed alright. They reinstalled the wheel the same way that I had originally thought was wrong, and said that is correct. I've since asked on the CBR250 specific forum and had other owners confirm that the gap I was concerned about exists on their bikes too.

Since I got the new tires put on, the bike feels solid again. We can officially close the books on this one. Thanks again for everyone's input and assistance!

 

[frekeyguy]

Thanks for the follow up and the concern. Yes, I did take frekey up on his offer. He was kind enough to give it a quick look over, and he basically came to the same conclusion as you (boyoboy), that if since there was enough force to bend the rim then most likely the forks or triples got bent too. He suggested I get parts to replace the forks and lower triple, offered to work on it over the winter and quoted me for the work.

Since it was not a super-thorough inspection (just a glance over with a flashlight on his driveway), to me it felt more like speculation rather than a definitive confirmation of the issue, so before committing to such a big job I wanted to see if I could get another opinion, and since I had to buy a set of new tires anyway I decided to take the bike into Speedworx and they offered to take a look at the issue while they installed the tires. To them, everything seemed alright. They reinstalled the wheel the same way that I had originally thought was wrong, and said that is correct. I've since asked on the CBR250 specific forum and had other owners confirm that the gap I was concerned about exists on their bikes too.

Since I got the new tires put on, the bike feels solid again. We can officially close the books on this one. Thanks again for everyone's input and assistance!

Did go over the fact that - It isn't possible to come with a definitive conclusion of this sort of crash damage issue with the front-end in place - needs to be dismantled and checked. (went over the process to checking this... v-blocks and a dial gauge to check straightness of linear components)

It is going to be a speculative hunch, when you've seen enough crashed bikes - you basically know if the front wheel lip folds in - the odds of the forks tubes being bent would be quite high. The lower triple being bent is possible, but a removal / inspection would wise.

If those fork tubes are bent, over time it is going to eat the sliding / drymet material on the bushings and start gauging the fork tubes, not to mention the extra stiction caused.

 

[kellen]

A second opinion.

 

[DJ-RK]

Did go over the fact that - It isn't possible to come with a definitive conclusion of this sort of crash damage issue with the front-end in place - needs to be dismantled and checked. (went over the process to checking this... v-blocks and a dial gauge to check straightness of linear components)

It is going to be a speculative hunch, when you've seen enough crashed bikes - you basically know if the front wheel lip folds in - the odds of the forks tubes being bent would be quite high. The lower triple being bent is possible, but a removal / inspection would wise.

If those fork tubes are bent, over time it is going to eat the sliding / drymet material on the bushings and start gauging the fork tubes, not to mention the extra stiction caused.

Hey Frekey. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't saying anything to discredit you at all, I trust you have a great deal of knowledge & experience, and completely understand your logic behind the conclusion. I also understand that it wouldn't have been feasible to do the whole dismantle to check at that time, but at the same time you can't blame me for not immediately going a route that would cost $750+ in parts and labour without being certain that it was required. I was just explaining my rationale and didn't want to just say, "Yeah, I had him take a look, but decided to go somewhere else anyway" and then coming under attack on here for being ungrateful towards you. Anyway, thanks again and hope you enjoyed the beers!