Front brakes dragging after tire change.

[whitestroke]

I put new on new Avon Cobra tires front and rear.  Went for a test ride and thought I smelled burning wires and I heard a ticking noise. I put bike on lift, and front tire brakes pads are dragging (must be the smell). When tire was off I left calipers hanging and did no service to the brakes and made sure I didn't touch front brake lever.
Tire is hard to turn by hand and stops immediately when you let go.
Any ideas where to start?

[pancho]

As long as you followed the proper procedure for tightening the front wheel...... I would think there is probably brake dust/debris in the calipers. I would remove them, compress them just a bit and put them back on. As long as the tightening procedure was followed, the brakes should loosen up,, if not, a cleanup of the calipers/pistons may be in order.

[LinnB]

Also make sure that the front axle is in all the way so it's flush with the forks.  If it's out just a little bit the brakes on the clutch side will drag.  I'll see if I can find a picture of how it should look.

Here are instructions from another member when I had the same problem:

"There is no adjustment for the front wheel.  But I guarantee you this will fix it.

You dont have the axle on all the way.  Raise the front of the bike, loosen the brake side pinch bolts, then remove the axle nut, then loosen the clutch side pinch bolts.  Now get a plstic mallet or a piece of wood and ahammer and tap the end of the axle ALL the way in the fork.  

As soon as its in all the way then tighten teh clutch pinsh bolts and continue on

Im sure that will fix it"

[Chrisj CMA]

Your axle is not in all the way

[LinnB]

Your axle is not in all the way

Chrisj CMA is the member I referred to in my earlier post, a wealth of knowledge.  I found this link as well but my axle actually goes in a little more than the "After" picture shows.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,26572.0.html

[R J]

Run  your finger over the axle and the fork tube where they meet.

If you feel a lump, not smooth, your axle is not seated correctly.

[Cracker Jack]

See my post from August 10 of last year for the problem and solution. Scroll down as necessary.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,45929.msg437088.html#msg437088

[whitestroke]

Boy do these links open a can a worms.
After reading all this it seems the proper way would be to:
1.  Tighten axle with a socket and allen wrench.
2.  Tighten right side pinch bolts.
3.  Rock bike forward and hit brake a few times to center axle.
     Now the left side of axle should be in the correct position
4.  Tighten left side pinch bolts

This is not how the manual says to do it, but seems the best way to make the forks parallel and center rotors.
Am I barking up the right tree???
Or do I need to read the links again, everyone seems to have there own way of tightening axle.

[Rio Wil]

The key is to have the left end of the axle EVEN with the surface of the left fork (clutch side),   not sticking out-not sticking in.....gotta be just like Goldilocks....not too hot, not too cold.  Set the left side even , bounce the bike, tighten the left pinch, tighten the right side bolt, tighten right side pinch.....

[whitestroke]

Brakes are working fine after I tapped the axle in about an 1/8 of a inch.  That made the axle bolt flush with the fork at the top and bottom of axle bolt.

Brakes felt spongy till the axle was adjusted properly.

Thanks for all the help!

[Chrisj CMA]

Your axle is not in all the way

Chrisj CMA is the member I referred to in my earlier post, a wealth of knowledge.  I found this link as well but my axle actually goes in a little more than the "After" picture shows.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,26572.0.html

Thanks for the compliment.  However, just to prove there is always more to learn....I have recently learned the OEM sparkplug socket doubles as a front axle holder/driver tool.  If it doesnt fit you have to file off the burr that is created by repeated beatings on the axle head

[whitestroke]

The manuals are definitely lacking in the front axle installation procedure. 

This is always the best place for information, I just thought the front axle would be a very straight forward installation.