So I needed to pick up something at the store yesterday, about 1 mile from my place. I was going about 60 (which is typical for this road)whenan old lady decided to cut over 2 lanesinto my lane without signalling and come to a complete stop for no apparent reason. I had to hit the brakes hard... hardest I've braked so far. I noticed rear tire skidding so I pumped it quickly. However, I also noticed this weird, rapid and rhythmic*clacking* noise from the front brake. It was similar to an anti-locking sound (and feel) in a car, but since I've never rode a bike with ABS, I wasn't sure. Plus, my bike is the '08 and they only came out with ABS in the '09 CBR 600rr's. After giving the hag an unnoticed finger, I pulled into the parking lot and noticed my front brake fluid level was kinda high, above the "upper" line.

Do you guys have any ideas what could've caused this? I know it seems far-fetched, but is it possible there is an ABS installed? Or maybe the high fluid level caused it? I'm not sure because this is the first time it happened and it was under heavy, heavy braking. Your help is much appreciated.
~mike D

 

Slightly warped rotor maybe?

 

I'll look at it when I get back home. I got the bike in July of this year and it has about 2,200 miles on it. Assuming it came from the factory ok, coulda rotor get warped that fast?

 

My thought too

 

Check your steering head bearings (or maybe steering stem bearings? cant remember which name is right.) I had the same problem on my F4, under hard braking the front went clack-a-clack-a-clack (not loud, just alow frequencyvibration.) All that was wrong was the steering head bearings were loose and the stem was shaking back and forth under just the right amount of braking. Tightened them up and it was good as new. Hope thats all thats wrong with yours.

Edit: No chance of having abs on your bike, and too much brake fluid won't hurt anything unless some spills out of the top and eats up your plastic parts.

 

Ok, I checked all 3 rotors: no problems I could see. They all look completely flat and true. Went to a parking lot and tested hard braking; still heard the clacking noise.

CatEye, 'scuse the novice talk, but where would I find those bearings you're talking about? (And thanks for the info on brake fluid levels. I was worried it could cause a problem.)

 

hey buddy, do this. go back to the parking lot and do the same thing. but this time try to put ur weiht on ur knee and lower body . less weigh on ur wrist. and tell me if u still hear the noise.i have a 07 also and i think there all make the noise if u put too much weigh on ur wrists.

 

Having warped rotors cause the fluid to do that is a problem, beyond worrying about the plastic parts. It's not something to just dismiss.

 

I will try some practice stops while readjusting my weight to see if that changes anything. I've been to several mechanics and they all agree there is no warping of the rotors. I haven't heard the noise lately, but I haven't had to slam the brakes either. More testing and I'll let you know.

The front lever feels a bit squishy now after 3,500 miles. I'm getting some Pazzos and I'll be puttnig on an SS brake line kit at the same time, so hopefully that'll help with the soft feel.

Thanks again.