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T120 Brake squeal?

87K views 372 replies 113 participants last post by  Scott R 
#1 ·
Hi folks,

Just picked up my T120 on Saturday and it was raining rather heavily on Sunday so I've only managed to put ~130miles on her. However I'm finding that on low speed lite braking the brakes squeal quite a bit. Have others experienced this as well and is it just part of the break in process (no pun intended..)?
 
#2 ·
I'm getting a similar noise from the rear - not the fronts. I'm at about 350 miles the noise has been there all along we'll see what they say at the 500 mile service. I don't think it's dangerous or damaging, but I'm not the technician...
 
#14 ·
Mine have sounded like a freight train coming to a stop. More like a moan than a squeal. Brought it up to the dealer at my first service and they said there was brake fade and that if I kept riding it would go away. Still happens.
I never realized brake fade was a sound! I guess if you ignore brake fade and ride through it the problem will go away but will be replaced by the problem of having to pull your bike out from a hedge (or a tree or a wall).
 
#8 ·
I get this from the front brakes. I don't use the rears very much, so they've been quite quiet. The sound is typically a vibration of the pads against the pistons and some say it can be eliminated by coating the rear of the pads with some "brake squeal" products. Some are sprayed, others are painted on. When I last did this on a bike, it seemed only to cure it for a very short while. So, I may try it again on my T120, but am not expecting much. The squeal/moan is usually only occurs on very gently stops, very hard stops usually doesn't squeal the brake pads - at least not louder than I am screaming inside my helmet. Oh yes, sometimes gradual braking creates a glaze on the pads that can be removed with a light sanding of the pads, but often it will return - my experience.
 
#9 ·
I've used the anti-vibration stuff in the past when changing out pads with pretty good results. I suppose I was just hoping that I wouldn't have to take a wrench to a less then 1 week old bike.

I'll try wiping down the rotors as was suggested, I would hope it wouldn't generate that much brake dust in the first 100miles but maybe the 1st mm or so of the new pads is extremely dusty?

Other than this minor announce its been a great bike so far!
 
#11 ·
My t120 fronts have done the same thing on three occassions, always when gradually approaching a full stop. 800km service tomorrow. Will ask technician about it. My bike's heated grips also packed it in after one use. The gap between the slip on pea shooters and the cat back pipes is quite disturbing visually, especially with only the left inner side chromed. What were they thinking? In spite of these annoyances, which I assume will be solved, the bike is a jewel. Wouldn't trade it for any other. Jerry
 
#12 ·
Yep mine also makes plenty of noise when braking at slow speeds, figured it wasn't an issue but will be interesting to hear if anything is recommended at the service.

Blacked out pipes means the gap in front of the peashooters aren't really an issue on my bike but strange that they decided to only chrome one side with the other models.
 
#15 ·
I have the same issue with my T120. Front brakes "groan" loudly at slow speed stops, so much so that other drivers look over to see what's going on. This is my 5th new Hinckley bike, and the first one with this issue. Bike has 525 miles on it and still groaning. I will bring this up with dealer at 500 mile check.
 
#21 ·
I've done just on 1600 kms on my T120 now and the brake groan is getting worse rather than better. Initially it would groan at slow speeds, but on my last longish ride it was making the groaning noise when slowing from around 70kph, accompanied by what felt like the slightest shudder or staginess at the lever. Disappointing really. If it continues I'll have to take it back to see what can be done, but short of changing to a different pad (and I suspect there probably isn't a choice in the marketplace yet) I'm not sure that the dealer will be able to do anything. Overall the bike is great, other than the suspension, which is overly stiff and unforgiving on country roads. I can see a set of Ikon shocks in my future and some tuning of the forks damping/springing.
 
#27 ·
Not happening on the Thruxton R ?

I just went through the postings and it seems like this is not happening on the Thruxton R ? (although my rear is a bit grindy/noisy).

I know my fronts are different than yours perhaps. Maybe we can isolate the differences?
 
#28 · (Edited)
Front brake "Squeal" here on my T120. I'll try cleaning everything real good, and if that doesn't get it, I'll complain at my first service. It really is LOUD and obnoxious.

PS: I cleaned the rotors really well, and the squeal went away for a while. Now, it's coming back. I'm thinking it might go away permanently after a couple more cleanings. Must have been crap still on the face of the pads.
 
#31 ·
Me too...

This is happening with my new T120 as well. It started after about 300 miles, and it's just gotten worse. This is the first time I've ever had this happen on a motorcycle, and I don't like it at all.

Seems to be happening mostly on the left front rotor, but both front brakes are doing it. It's also funky because of the ABS. If I attempt to feather the brakes like on my old Daytona, they don't have the precision that I'm used to. The ABS seems to want to "buffer" my brake pull, so it makes the squeal worse. It does kind of stop the noise and vibration if I "overshoot" my normal pull. Then the brakes clamp down more and the squealing stops (usually).

I haven't had time, but I will do a thorough cleaning soon and see what results.

Other than the squeal, I'm pretty happy with my T120 (no oil leak). I'm spoiled after my Daytona, though. I miss the tight gearing, the precise clutch, and precise brakes. It's taking me a bit of "unlearning" to adjust to the new "slipper" clutch and ABS brakes. I really, really miss the quick shifter...

Oh well. The torque helps, and the bike works for commuting, which is how I do a lot of my riding.
 
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