1150GSA Brakes

[Aidjay]

I've got some front brake issues on my R1150GS ADV that I need help with in diagnosing (and hopefully) fixing the problem.

Bit of background - The bike has done 36000 miles and brakes are ABS, I bought the beast about 5 months ago. I don't know if the pads have been replaced before I bought it. The front brakes work fine during normal use (no juddering at all), but while not braking (and coasting while not in gear) I can hear the pads "scraping" the discs intermittently. When the bike is on the centre-stand, the front wheel doesn't run free, it seems a bit stiff. It started fairly recently and can't really be attributed to any occurrence such as a drop or knock (that I know of) etc. My questions are:
Are the discs warped? And if so how does this happen?
Are the calipers not springing all the way back releasing the pads from the discs?
Is it dangerous for me to be riding with the brakes in this condition?
Should the front wheel be running free when on the centre-stand, or is a bit of resistance normal?
Would I need to replace the pads and the discs? Can discs be "repaired"?
Roughly how many miles would a set of brake pads last during regular road riding?

Lots of questions I know, but any help would be most appreciated!

 

[cookie]

Are the discs warped? And if so how does this happen?

doubt it. several threads on this site explaining how it happens.

Are the calipers not springing all the way back releasing the pads from the discs?

if in doubt, remove calipers, clean & check

Is it dangerous for me to be riding with the brakes in this condition?

doubt it

Should the front wheel be running free when on the centre-stand, or is a bit of resistance normal?

resistance is <s>futile</S> er normal. a bit.

Can discs be "repaired"?

no

Roughly how many miles would a set of brake pads last during regular road riding?

did 14K on my 1150 & never got near wearing out the pads that were fitted when i bought it.

 

[Colban]

Aidjay,if there is no juddering while braking,there cant be too much wrong.
My own front wheel doesn't run free either.I guess as the discs wear and heat up/cool down they will always distort but as long as the run-out is within tolerance,no worries.
Couple of things to try though.With the bike on centre stand and back weighed down so front wheel is in the air,try loosening the 4 bolts clamping the fork legs to the lower yoke just enough that you can twist the front wheel relative to the bars.(you may need to loosen the axle as well.)
You can spin the wheel and check for smooth running.By wiggling the bars,putting the front brake on,you may be able to correct any alignment problem.Remember to tighten the bolts after.
You could also try removing the calipers (one at a time) and spinning the wheel to try and determine which disc is tight.Also a good time to clean and check the pads for wear and seizure. Thinking about it,do the calipers before the alignment and dont forget to torque the bolts correctly.Good luck.

 

[Bigtwin]

Take the calipers off and clean and lube them anyway (remember only to use mineral oil on the actual surface of the pads though. Nooo - joke!)

Seriously, pop out the pads, check the pots are moving freely, lube the pins, clean everything - those calipers are a bugger to sticking in the winter.

 

[Aidjay]

Thanks for the advise guys, doesn't sound as serious as I thought, I'll give it a go.

 

[Steptoe]

Ride the bike for a distance without using the front brakes.

STOP , then touch the discs straight away. They should be cold.

If your finger sticks to the disc, and you lose the skin from the finger tips, you have a problem = in fact you now have two problems.

Sticking calipers, and 3rd degree burns.

 

[Dick Dastardly]

Ride the bike for a distance without using the front brakes.

STOP , then touch the discs straight away. They should be cold.

If your finger sticks to the disc, and you lose the skin from the finger tips, you have a problem = in fact you now have two problems.

Sticking calipers, and 3rd degree burns.

True but