Brake noise

[Icelander]

I stupidly waited about 10 miles too long to replace my rear brake pads.
Had a new set of Galfer pads waiting on the work bench but was having too much fun *actually* riding the bike. (stupid me)

Felt a change in the rear brake pedal and felt a slight grind on my way home Friday night. Tried not to use the rear brake on the way home. Pulled the left saddle bag off and notices some bright metal on the rotor but it felt completely smooth to the touch. Sure enough the outer pad backing plate had *just* some in contact with the rotor.

I thought, "Well. there's not and grooving nor does it feel rough at all. Lets put the new pads on and see if we got lucky" (Did the fronts while I was at it.)

She brakes hard on front and rear and it feels a whole lot better than the worn pads.

If I feather the rear brake however, I get a kind of moan which leads me to believe that the pad is chattering on the rough spot on the rotor. Pulled the pads and they look good still. Wondered if maybe the pads weren't seated correctly so I got back in there and made sure that they seated correctly.

Still get the moan.

I know I should just replace the rotor but I'm also poor for the foreseeable future and wondering if that chatter is going to be the harbinger of bad things to come.  I can train myself to brake past the sound but really don't want to damage her any more than I already have.

What are your thoughts?

Icelander

[sandy]

When non OEM pads are used on OEM rotors, squeals are normal. Get use to it or order OEM Honda pads. EBC pads will sing a tune for you.

[Indianabill]

I have heard the "moan" a number of times after installing EBC organic pads. Always went away after 100 miles or so. My vote.......ride it and let the pads seat to the rotor.

[Icelander]

Thanks for the quick replies! I was debating whether or not I should ride to work tomorrow.

Icelander

[Gideon]

Thanks for the quick replies! I was debating whether or not I should ride to work tomorrow.

Icelander

Ride it like you stole it 

[Tfrank59]

Yeah go ahead and ride it cuz in Washington we got to take what we can get haha

[Fazer]

I replaced front and rear and still got noise--squealing mostly.  I used this stuff

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CINV88/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and at first the squealing got worse, but has since disappeared.

[Dale_K]

I spent some time this past weekend with 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper on my Valkyrie's rear rotor in an attempt to make it quieter and I think the OP has a chance of improving his bike by making the rotor smoother. 

In my case the pads were replaced only a couple of months ago at the Honda dealer with OEM pads.  I wasn't getting a moaning noise but more of a squeaking grinding sound.  The wet/dry sandpaper is very inexpensive and the OP has little to lose by trying it.  I'm going to buy some 400 grit and then make a second pass with 800.  You're not removing much metal but it does knock down the high spots of the little grooves in the disc.

I've used EBC pads in the past and I couldn't stand them because they lacked bite.  I replaced them back in the day with OEM and became a believer in the OEM product.