Front brake issues

[Jbro]

Hey everyone, new to the forum. I bought my wife a 2002 GZ250 that had been sitting for a few years. I finally got the bike to run right a few weeks ago, thanks to all the great info here. I did all the normal stuff, oil, air filter, plug, carb. She loves the bike and has been riding it a lot. She noticed there was a good amount of rubbing/grinding noise coming from the front tire. I checked the pads and they were in pretty bad shape (pieces flaking off). I replaced them and now it seems as if the pads are dragging on the rotor in various spots. Even when just pushing it around in the garage. Is there a way to fix this? Do I need to buy a new rotor? The bike only has about 2k miles on it. Thanks for any help! And thanks to everyone here for all the knowledge over the past few months.

[alantf]

Try a few hard stops at slow speed to see if the pads will bed themselves in. Sounds like what you're experiencing is normal with new pads. Just remember that the brakes won't work as good as they should, until they're bedded in.

[Jbro]

Ok I'll try that again. Maybe I didn't stop hard enough. Thanks for the advice!

[spldart]

Originally Posted by alantf

Try a few hard stops at slow speed to see if the pads will bed themselves in. Sounds like what you're experiencing is normal with new pads. Just remember that the brakes won't work as good as they should, until they're bedded in.

What he said
Just did mine and at first that dragged a bit. It went away as they seated.
Just thought a second confirmation would make ya feel better

[Jbro]

So we put about 50 miles full of hard stops on it today. Still squeeling pretty bad. Seems to only happen after a few miles so once everything heats up. Am I just being impatient or should they have seated by now? It's been around 150 miles on the new pads now. Thanks again for the advice!

[alantf]

You just said they're squeeling. That's something entirely different. There should be anti squeel shims fitted to the back of the pads. Did you notice them on the old ones? They're just like thin metal.

[Jbro]

Yes and I put those back in. Including the top one. Last night I was convinced the top shim was sliding and rubbing the rotor causing the squeel. So I removed it and took a ride without it and had the same issue. So now I'm stumped again

[Water Warrior 2]

Squealing brakes can also be caused by very hard brake lining material. Did you get Suzuki brake pads or another supplier's product. Hard lining will last longer but the brakes themselves will not be quite as effective. Softer lining will be safer but will wear out sooner.................and hopefully quieter in the long run.