Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Wyowind on March 25, 2012, 11:51:25 PM

Title: Maintenance issue - rubbing sound from rear tire area
Post by: Wyowind on March 25, 2012, 11:51:25 PM

Hoping someone can help.   Have a 2008 C-14  with 12,000 happy miles on it.  Getting ready to take it to the stealer for spring cleaning  :D (warraty still in effect this time)  I have a rubbing sound that is audible when just going at slow, quiet speeds.  It sounds like the rear tire or something that rotates with the tire is rubbing as it reaches a certain position in its rotation.   

So its sounds like this . . .  shhh ......  shhh .....   shhh   brief pause between rubbing sounds until it gets back around to the spot where it rubs again.  I started thinking warped rotors but there isn't really any shimmy in the bike when I'm applying the brakes.

Any ideas???

Title: Re: Maintenance issue - rubbing sound from rear tire area
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 26, 2012, 04:32:57 AM

Do you hear it while the bike is on the center stand?  Have you recently done any maintenance to the rear of the bike?  Possibility is a warped rear rotor, brake pad noise..

Title: Re: Maintenance issue - rubbing sound from rear tire area
Post by: koval68 on March 26, 2012, 04:50:47 AM

Sounds like a brake pad noise to me.

Title: Re: Maintenance issue - rubbing sound from rear tire area
Post by: Pokey on March 26, 2012, 09:41:32 AM

What is Spring cleaning at the dealer? :o  And the warranty has nothing to do with planned maint, so you will be getting charged.

Title: Re: Maintenance issue - rubbing sound from rear tire area
Post by: Wyowind on March 26, 2012, 09:56:00 AM

Thanks for responding.  I have a hunch its brake pads also but I haven't had a chance to put it up on the stand to rotate the tires.  Maybe when I get off work this afternoon.  Curious that it only rubs in a particular position.  Thanks.

Title: Re: Maintenance issue - rubbing sound from rear tire area
Post by: lt1 on March 26, 2012, 09:58:27 PM

Not really that unusual at all.  Brake pads normally do not retract fully merely upon release of the pedal/lever.  Rotors have a small amount of runout, even within spec.  If the sound stops when you gently drag the brake, you have probably isolated the cause.  Almost all bike w/disk brakes have some slight drag.

Another test is to run the bike up to speed, then slow down to a crawl (the slow, quiet speed you mentioned) using only the front brakes.  If the sound is absent, you have another confirmation.

Title: Re: Maintenance issue - rubbing sound from rear tire area
Post by: Wyowind on March 27, 2012, 01:48:44 AM

After a little more "playing" around with it tonight I think you guys nailed it.  The sound pretty much goes away with feathering the brakes at slower speeds.  Close to dropping it once - whew that was close! ! !  Thanks again.  I learn a lot by watching everyone's posts.