Topic: 72 750 squeaky front brake, also binds when front wheel turned

[kschwarz]

Hi all
Returning member#103.  OK I've read the FAQs, put in new brake shoes, a new caliber piston (pricey), new oring, and cleaned the groove and flushed ad nauseum.  Opened the
master cylinder and pressed the lever, a bubble comes out of the tiny hole.  After I got the new piston and oring, the bike worked fine, stopped well, even could see the disc showing a broad swath of clean metal where the pads touch.  Once again, the problem resurfaces.  The brake is extremely squeaky at slow speeds.  If the handle bar is turned when walking the bike out of the garage, the brake drags.  If the the handlebars are straight, no drag.  The noise is embarrassing, and relying on the rear brake is no fix.

any help appreciated
Thx
Ken

[fastbroshi]

Ken,

   I had the same problem and didn't even realize it when I first got my bike (77 550), as I was concentrating on the motor.  It was always an effort to push it, and turning the bars made it worse.  When I rebuilt the caliper the only thing wrong that I found was somehow the nylon washer that presses up agains the pad on the piston side had gotten wedged between the piston and pad, probably cocking the piston or pad a bit, not sure which.  Either way, I had the above problem and the pad wasn't contacting the rotor on center.  New nylon washer, put back together, bled the system, now it works like a charm.
  I've never worked on a 750's brakes, but maybe this is your prob too.

[fergie]

I had a squeaky brake after installing new pads on my 78 550. all I ended up doing was putting a product on the back of the pads that is designed to stop brake noise. avaliable at your local auto store.

[coyotecowboy]

Are your forks in the triple trees straight?  If its hanging up when you turn the bars then you better broaden your search.  I could see it if a drum brake and cable was involved, but not on disc brakes.  I'm assuming that your axle caps are on the right direction and the bolts are tight.  Fork brace or not?  Man, could be any number of things

[MoTo-BunnY]

Not to be dumb, but is the brake hose routed correctly? I erred when I was first working on my front brake and routed it wrong and when turning the steering to the left, it would "auto-apply" the front brake slightly.

I'm sure you already checked that, but just thought I would mention it just in case.

[Really?]

The last two sound very plausible to me.  Pinched brake line or forks twisting.  As odd as it sounds.  Maybe the mounting of the caliper is loose and it cocks a bit.