Front End Noise

[Peteg]

For the 12,000 miles I've ridden my bike the front end has always been noisy when I maneuver her slowly over small bumps. I never really worried about it as the head stock checks out great, and there's never been anything like a 40 mph deceleration wobble that would lead me to believe I have head stock issues. The front brakes work great and the calipers retract really well. I always attributed the noise to caliper rattle as they retract so well they can move around really freely. Is caliper rattle a thing on these bikes? or maybe I should go after the head stock bearings?

[Valker]

More likely the discs themselves. They are the 'floating' kind. When they are clean, they move very slightly which can 'pop' or 'rattle'.

[98valk]

could be the anti-rattle clips on the one end of the brake pads not installed perfect

[Peteg]

Cool.  I just ordered new clips and springs from Partzilla. I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't something completely missing on both front calipers if that's possible. The front pads, left & right are so loose it's crazy. The rear pads are loose but cool. I remember putting the clips in when I changed the rear pads. New caliper clips beat head stock bearings every time.    When I first started riding her after things things got warm on the highway and I dropped down to lower speed she would make a knife sharpening noise. That turned into caliper grease. So do you think I'll start getting 45 mpg once I replace the clips????

[Timbo1]

For the 12,000 miles I've ridden my bike the front end has always been noisy when I maneuver her slowly over small bumps. I never really worried about it as the head stock checks out great, and there's never been anything like a 40 mph deceleration wobble that would lead me to believe I have head stock issues. The front brakes work great and the calipers retract really well. I always attributed the noise to caliper rattle as they retract so well they can move around really freely. Is caliper rattle a thing on these bikes? or maybe I should go after the head stock bearings?

The calipers are free floating, not the disc.  They will make a clunk if the pins that they float on are not greased well enough.  The calipers will hang on the pins and make a noise when released.  I found out about a year ago after going crazy trying to locate the clunk noise I was hearing on acceleration.  But only after replacing the pulley tensioners & wheel bearings.   I don't think I was doing my brake pad replacements correctly by not greasing those pins.  That's where I'd start looking as I know I had those calipers off so probably didn't grease them.

[98valk]

For the 12,000 miles I've ridden my bike the front end has always been noisy when I maneuver her slowly over small bumps. I never really worried about it as the head stock checks out great, and there's never been anything like a 40 mph deceleration wobble that would lead me to believe I have head stock issues. The front brakes work great and the calipers retract really well. I always attributed the noise to caliper rattle as they retract so well they can move around really freely. Is caliper rattle a thing on these bikes? or maybe I should go after the head stock bearings?

The calipers are free floating, not the disc.  They will make a clunk if the pins that they float on are not greased well enough.  The calipers will hang on the pins and make a noise when released.  I found out about a year ago after going crazy trying to locate the clunk noise I was hearing on acceleration.  But only after replacing the pulley tensioners & wheel bearings.   I don't think I was doing my brake pad replacements correctly by not greasing those pins.  That's where I'd start looking as I know I had those calipers off so probably didn't grease them.

the front brake rotors are also free floating. that's why one sees the open "buttons" that hold the disc to the disc carrier.
The rear rotor is not free floating but solid mounted to the wheel.

[Timbo1]

the front brake rotors are also free floating. that's why one sees the open "buttons" that hold the disc to the disc carrier.
The rear rotor is not free floating but solid mounted to the wheel.

Your right, looks like I was wrong again....  Not the first time and wont be the last I'm sure.