Need Help With Front Brakes After Wheel Removal

Hey guys, could probably use a little bit of help.

So this weekend's project was to remove the front wheel of my '00 and touch some paint up. All went fairly smoothly until I started buttoning her up today. Everything goes back together, spec down the bolts and check for free spin and the brakes are dragging. Bounce on the front end a little to help set the axle in, roll it around hoping the brakes loosing up a little but no go. Definately rubbing and now pretty tight.

Tried searching but all I found was if brakes are dragging, loosing everything back up and spread/compress forks to get desired clearance. I guess I really don't understand how or what that should accomplish. With the top's of the forks width set by the triple clamp and the bottom distance set by the axle bolt/nut.....what would simply pulling on them do when everything is loose?

If that's not the answer, what should I do? Will that simply loosing up with a quick drive?

thanks

Make sure you put the spacers in correctly.

Check the spacers, then also check that you've tightened everything down in order. Axle & right side pinch bolt(s) first, then pump the front end using the front brake 5 times, then tighten the left pinch bolt(s).

You should be able to look in at the right calliper and see if one of the inner walls where the pads are housed is rubbing on the rotor. If so, it's highly likely you've placed the spacers around the wrong way, one is considerably longer than the other. There should be a 0.7 mm gap between the outside surface of the rotor and the calliper... it's in the manual.

how much drag?

IMo the vfr does have alot of pad drag, but if the wheel spins a full turn and 1/2 , about normal



if hear horrible screaching then maybe something else

Quick question...........is the left/right side looking at the bike or is it according to when you're on the bike?

Do you have the wheel on the right way. I had a similar problem on my bike. Look at the arrows on the rotor.

A little bit of brake drag is normal.

Do you have the wheel on the right way. I had a similar problem on my bike. Look at the arrows on the rotor.

LOL. How would you know? HA!!!!! (You are way ahead of your years, sir). :blink:

A little bit of brake drag is normal.

Yup!

Quick question...........is the left/right side looking at the bike or is it according to when you're on the bike?

Left = clutch side

Right = brake side

This is in line with the wording in the manual.

Do you have the wheel on the right way. I had a similar problem on my bike. Look at the arrows on the rotor.

There is also a mark on the Rim for direction of rotation..

Another easy way is mark the rim on 1 side before you take it off next time..

Yep, arrow on rim matches arrow on tire matches arrow on rotor. All in the right direction.

Still not sure, but rotor seems to be centered in the pads, so it doesn't seem to be off one direction or another. I might just take it for a test drive and see if it loosens up a bit. Always a little nervous when things don't seem to be going right on the front end.

A little drag is normal with new pads installed. If it's just the pads that are rubbing and not the calliper bodies, take her for a spin and see if that doesn't convince you. If the drag is such that it brings your bike to a stop then there's something else going on in there...

Yup a bit of drag is normal. Over time dust & grime builds up in the dust seals in your pistons dont retract as well. Your bike being 9 yrs old may be due for a caliper cleaning on the next wheel removal. I usually blow mine out w/ air real good w/ each wheel removal.