2007 FJR - Front Breaks "Chatter" During Hard Stops

[slo-ride]

I have a 2007 FJR with about 3300 miles on it.

This has happened three times recently. Two of those times was when I had a passenger. I'm traveling about 45 mph and see a turn that I need to take. I break fairly hard but not hard enough to even think the ABS will activate but I feel the sensation of break chatter in the front wheel while breaking. It feels like the ABS is activated but the situation doesn't call for it.

• moderate breaking
• moderate speeds
• even pressure to front and back breaks
• dry, sticky pavement
• no rocks or loose sand

I test it again on down the road at the next stop sign. I approach the sign and break at the last minute. No chatter. Same speed, same situation, but no chatter this time. I have plenty of break fluid and no ABS lights have come on. Has anyone noticed this on their bikes or know what the problem might be?

Thanks!

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Give me a brake!

 

[VanHarlan]

I've had it happen a couple times on my 07 as well - but since I had my front tire changed a few weeks ago and cleaned everything up in the front end it hasn't happened. It could be brake dust build up on the pads - just a guess.

 

[LAGO RUNNER]

I have not had that prob but have only owned my 08 for 2 months. My 04 was non ABS, and had no probs. I say take it to the dealer if under warranty, and have it checked out. YA! brakes are pretty important.

 

[Solo]

Something similar to that happens to me all the time on my '06. I'll come up to a stop sign, braking with some force but not enough to engage the ABS, and I'll feel the front brake knock as if the ABS was clicking away, but it isn't engaged. It isn't really a chatter, because the wheel isn't chattering. I've decided it's just the way things are because the brakes always work perfectly otherwise. No way is it dust build up on the pad. It definitely is related to the ABS system. It is steadily rhythmic.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Improperly torqued steering head bearings?

Somewhat of an occasional problem on the 06 models due to assembly.

It seems to be happening on mine at 10,000 miles, though I have yet to confirm.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Have almost 23,000 miles on my '06. Mine has been doing this very same thing since early in its life. Checked all the obvious things...rotors, steering head, forks, calipers nothing loose, wobbling or otherwise out of place. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to when it happens, wet / cold or hot / dry, just happens every so often... :blink: Let me know when you figger it out.

Paging Radman...Mr. Radman to the white courtesy phone.

--G

 

[r1byker]

It's happened to me a few times; I figure it's just the ABS doing it's thing. It does raise a question in my mind when I don't seem to be braking that hard....like, what does it know that I don't?

 

[Solo]

It isn't the steering head bearings. It comes through the front wheel through the brake lever. Steering head bearings aren't so rhythmic. They just clunk.

Edit: Plus I've checked my steering head bearings. This is ABS related. I've checked everything and I think I've decided not to worry because the brakes work fine.

 

[twowheelnut]

Brake pads. Happens on my '05 non-ABS. I've grown to ignore it. In my case, I believe it's the CL pads. Thankfully, I'm on my last set and will be returning to the stockers when these croak.

 

[pete.r]

On my mind you can feel those cooling holes from your brake discs, it´s same on my ´07 FJR .

Normally on brake pad corners shold be beveld if you are driving with old pads there is no bevel anymore so those corners are sharp and when you press brake the sharp corner takes first to brake disc and then you can feel those cooling holes from discs...

-pete-

 

[FjrVfr]

I've experienced this intermittently on my '06 since it was new. It happens maybe 1 stop in 5 and the braking doesn't have to be very heavy at all. I can't imagine it's the cooling holes/brake pads or it wouldn't be intermittent. Sure feels like ABS to me. Would love to find a solution.

 

[slo-ride]

As long as the bike stops, I'm happy. I just wanted to be sure that I'm not doing any damage to it. I've never braked hard enough to use the ABS but I might just force it (wet pavement) to see if it feels the same or not. Thanks for all the input.

 

[fjr183]

I've had this happen with my 03, 06, and now with my 08. It seams to be a mix of front break dust, the air vent holes and loss of the bevel. A good cleaning of the rotors with break cleaner on a towel, or soap and water, has stop it for 3-4 k miles. Fred

 

[jcrouch]

Had exactly the same thing with my '07 until I read a thread, can't remember who's thread it was now, reccomending tighter suspension settings front and back. He mentioned that, among other things it cured the brake chatter in his FJR. I tried his suggested settings and whattaya know!! Cured brake chatter, takes sweeping turns with much greater stability, practically no front dive on braking to a stop. I feel silly for being too shy riding my FJR for a year and not trying some suspension adjustments. Factory settings are too soft.

Jay

 

[slo-ride]

Had exactly the same thing with my '07 until I read a thread, can't remember who's thread it was now, reccomending tighter suspension settings front and back. He mentioned that, among other things it cured the brake chatter in his FJR. I tried his suggested settings and whattaya know!! Cured brake chatter, takes sweeping turns with much greater stability, practically no front dive on braking to a stop. I feel silly for being too shy riding my FJR for a year and not trying some suspension adjustments. Factory settings are too soft. Jay

Would you mind sharing what adjustments you made to your suspension? I've been toying with the idea of adjusting mine but I'm not even sure how or how much to adjust.

Thanks!

 

[Solo]

This problem isn't really brake chatter but a clicking coming from the ABS system. I believe you can find the thread for HaulingAshe's suspension adjustments in the Bin 'O Facts.

 

[Solo]

Suspension settings Clicky