Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Ok i think i know what the issue is but i'd like to hear any other ideas from you guys.

Basically when i use the front brake on the big it pulsates when slowing the bike down. Almost feels like ABS on a car if that makes sense.

Now i reckon i'm gonna be changing the discs and pads on the front, probably end up doing al round, but i'd like to know of any other options that it MAY be that could be easy enough to check out.

Please note that this only really happens if i am trying to brake that little bit sharper and grab a little nore brake than if i was just cruising to a stop.

Hope that make sense to you guy's.

Also if i'm gonna be up for new discs and pads where is a reasonable place to get them and what price am i looking at.

Most likely warped disc rotors but loose steering head bearings can exacerbate the effect dramatically.

Def sounds like rotors, get the front in the air & test the run out, also check the minimum thickness as is marked on the disk

These models are notorious for having warped disks, so get them checked and replaced if needed.

Magic.

I thought it was that but needed to confirm.

Any ideas where to get them from??

A word of caution here .... warped disks are almost definately what is causing the shudder ... however this is sometimes due to a faulty calliper ... If one or more of the pots are seized, this is what causes the warping! .

I know this from personal experience and Ive read it is quite common ..

Cheers Richo.

I'll have a look at it when i've got the wheel off.

wullieb1 wrote:Ok i think i know what the issue is but i'd like to hear any other ideas from you guys.

Basically when i use the front brake on the big it pulsates when slowing the bike down. Almost feels like ABS on a car if that makes sense.

Now i reckon i'm gonna be changing the discs and pads on the front, probably end up doing al round, but i'd like to know of any other options that it MAY be that could be easy enough to check out.

Please note that this only really happens if i am trying to brake that little bit sharper and grab a little nore brake than if i was just cruising to a stop.

Hope that make sense to you guy's.

Also if i'm gonna be up for new discs and pads where is a reasonable place to get them and what price am i looking at.

F1 and F2 discs are prone to warping. F1's are worse than F2's. Having said that, depending on usage, you can make them last a little longer in between rotor changes by flattening the springs under the locator buttons.This effectively turns the discs into fully floating discs. They rattle a little like Ducati full floaters do. I warn you though, it's not recommended for roadies. reason being, is over a longer period of time while riding, the loose discs can knock the pads back and when you go for a handful of brake, it has to take up the slack before biting on the disc. On the track it don't matter as you have the brakes operating on most turns. I have had them like this on my race bike since 1996 with no ill effects and the same set of rotors on it. It allows the discs to expand and contract without forcing them to warp.

If replacing the rotors, after many years experimenting with different rotors on these things, I have found the stock standard ones to be the best for both operating feel/power and for longevity.

Good luck

Strika wrote:

wullieb1 wrote:Ok i think i know what the issue is but i'd like to hear any other ideas from you guys.

Basically when i use the front brake on the big it pulsates when slowing the bike down. Almost feels like ABS on a car if that makes sense.

Now i reckon i'm gonna be changing the discs and pads on the front, probably end up doing al round, but i'd like to know of any other options that it MAY be that could be easy enough to check out.

Please note that this only really happens if i am trying to brake that little bit sharper and grab a little nore brake than if i was just cruising to a stop.

Hope that make sense to you guy's.

Also if i'm gonna be up for new discs and pads where is a reasonable place to get them and what price am i looking at.

F1 and F2 discs are prone to warping. F1's are worse than F2's. Having said that, depending on usage, you can make them last a little longer in between rotor changes by flattening the springs under the locator buttons.This effectively turns the discs into fully floating discs. They rattle a little like Ducati full floaters do. I warn you though, it's not recommended for roadies. reason being, is over a longer period of time while riding, the loose discs can knock the pads back and when you go for a handful of brake, it has to take up the slack before biting on the disc. On the track it don't matter as you have the brakes operating on most turns. I have had them like this on my race bike since 1996 with no ill effects and the same set of rotors on it. It allows the discs to expand and contract without forcing them to warp.

If replacing the rotors, after many years experimenting with different rotors on these things, I have found the stock standard ones to be the best for both operating feel/power and for longevity.

Good luck

Thanks for the advice m8. I'm going to phone around today and get some prices for them.

New rotors and pads ordered at the princly sum of $600 for the lot, 2 rotors and 2 sets pads.

Phoned around a few places and the best deal was with the Kwaka dealer lol.