Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

So braking issue is getting worse. I rode the other day to the shops without plugs. Turns out my brakes are squeeling everytime I use them. I dont hear it with the plugs in. I have to use the rear quite A lot now. Think I need to strip it all and have a look. Might fit some new pads. Which gets me on another subject. Brembo pads are mega expensive!!!!!


Also, I've noticed these dried marks over the one side of the bike. Near the rad feed hose. And my coolant is on min line. So is this coolant? Just looks a bit clay like so wasn't sure. It was worse than this, but I cleaned it up to try and work out if it was a leak or just something splashed onto the bike.

I noticed those white marks when we had our ride out. I thought it was evidence of your poor cleaning routine

That can be a sign of water and oil mixing somewhere, which suggests a leak or a failed seal. A lot depends where it's coming from. Have a look around the engine to see if you see the source.

As for brake pads I would go for something less costly than Brembo. The MRR pads I've got are spot on. I would clean the brake discs before you put the new pads in.

cheers, not thought about water oil mix. I've tried to look where it's from, but I just can't tell. The best I could see was the hose going to the top of the rad (in the second pic)

Is MRR the make? Not heard of them.

Sorry, i should have said. Bendix MRR. Those are a bit more race orientated. You could probably use the next ones down for commuting

Yeah, I don't want any race spec ones, as come cold wet weather they will be crap. An all rounder suits more. Cheers, will have a look.

When did you last get it to a garage?

Isn't it well overdue a service?

I'd clean the disks with brake cleaner and replace the pads.

I don't think its an oil / water mix as for that to happen it would most likely be your head gasket has failed which is unlikely. Easy way to check is drain the oil as any water will come out of the sump first.

Bit crude but taste the leaked fluid if its sweet its likely to be coolant but spit it straight out as its nasty stuff and shouldn't be consumed.
Tbh it could just be road muck so clean it off and see if it reappears and if it does it is most probably a leak so see if you can see where its coming from, there would most likely be tell tale marks.

Regards the brakes give them a strip down and check every piston is free to move. Clean the discs and check for run out as previously mentioned.

Is the bike not still under warranty ? Are none of your colleagues who are knowledgeable on bikes able to look at it ?

The calipers and pistons will just be needing a clean, D6. If you are commuting on it for much of the year, the insides of the calipers will be covered in crap.

I'm only a fair weather rider but always have a sticky piston when I clean and strip the calipers every year as part of my service so if riding through winter crud and salt the calipers will have it very tough.

I keep meaning to clean mine, but never do.

You done any more investigation D ?

I really think it could be a sticky piston which is causing the pads to drag and may have warped your disc.

Is there still a good bit of meat on the pads? If yes and they're squealing I'd expect there is no copper grease on the back of the pads and the squeak/squeal is just friction.

Sorry fellas. Update.

It is booked in for a 6000mile service next Friday. Bike has done 9600miles. I’ve requested a demo bike to go out on while it’s in. I’ve not actually requested any specific bike though, but just wanted something different to try out. Thinking either tiger 800/1200, Thunderbird LT or maybe even one of the classics.

Anyway, it is definitely coolant. I can see it coming from where the pipe comes out of rad and goes into engine block. Its coming from the elbow piece that is connected to the engine as below



I’ve topped up the coolant, so I’ll see what happens. I am just trying to take it easy though.

Brakes are still doing the same despite me jet washing the calipers and discs. Can’t believe that wasn’t good enough to fix the problem. :p

Plenty of pad material left from what I can see looking through the top of the caliper. I’ll try cleaning them up the weekend and see if it fixes it.

Buy a can of brake cleaner spray and liberally dose the inside of the caliper a with it.

Got some I think. I'll give it a go. I've stripped brakes before on the D6, so shouldn't be too difficult.

I've heard WD-40 cleans and degreases well, so I'll continue to use that on my discs too.

Put some grease on the discs to stop them squealing.

Good idea. Been using butter, but doesn't last.

Try gypsy tears. There a little hard to come by but the second best lube in the world, you best not ask what the best is on here, haha.

Have you consider applying for a senior position at Haynes manuals D6 ? Some of your out of the box thinking would go down well there