Ducati Monster Forum

So I recently noticed that on my 2003 m620, that when I am slowing down and barely applying the brakes the front end seems to shake a bit. When I get a good grip on the front brakes it clears it up.

Does this seem normal? Any suggestions on what to look at first? I'm relatively mechanically inclined but still a noobie to bikes. Thanks!

steering head bearings going, steering stem nut retorque, brake rotor warped

those are 3 things that I can think of it may be.

the cheapest to check (free) is the torque of the stem nut

the bearings aren't that bad of a price to replace either

and new rotors are the most expensive fix.

Thanks Raux. The bike only had 4k miles on it,  think the bearings could be going already? I'll check the torque you mentioned that might seem a little more plausible.

Anthony81586 I would suggest to wait and problem might fix itself.(if it is not critical to safety)
It might be not 100% flat rotor, and it also can be problem with your tire, I heard some stories about bulb(s) on tire that cause shaking.

it's a 10 yr old bike no matter the mileage though.
i hope you changed timing belts based on age not mileage

have you ever been on a bike with headshake while braking?

Raux
Ha-ha!
have YOU ever been on a bike with headshake while doing routine everyday riding?

Belts were changed and the bike was gone over head to toe last year when I purchased it to make sure everything was good.

Just to clarify the headshake happens when I'm lightly braking and <15mph.  I definitely appreciate the help guys I'll start going over the bike tonight and see if I can see what's going on.

depends on your definition of routine  [evil]

(http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/e60-m5-e61-m5-touring-discussion/104762d1272335696-brand-new-michelin-pilot-ps2-front-tire-have-bump-img_0002.jpg)
even smaller bump in tire will cause shacking under some circumstances.

or it may be a little bent on rotor, that will disappear sooner or later.

Or some other issues listed and not listed in this topic


Raux
Roads in 2-3rd worlds are bad, so people don't know and can not imagin riding without shaking.

Thanks, I'll check it out after work today

I had the same issue, went away with new rotors . . .

Thanks dark. Hopefully I can make it through the rest of the riding season without doing that but we will see. I plan on getting to 6k then bringing it to the shop for the overhaul and valves at which point I'd replace rotors if need be.

Still trying to figure out what to do,  do I keep the bike and put the money into it or do I ride it for the season and sell it as is (which is in great shape otherwise) and look at the new m1100 which I drool over lol... Ugh

I went thru all tests, mentioned to you . ..  rotor warping was so minimal but, at around those speeds or touching the brakes at higher speeds it would shake . . ended getting the rotors I have now . .. Braking  wave .. .

As for your second question . . . only 6k miles? I enjoy mine a lot, have ridden the larger ones and I still prefer mine . . .corner in and out are easier and if done correctly faster . ..  at the end, your choice . .

Yea I bought the bike lat year and it only had 1,800 miles and its at 4k now. I do love the bike but sometimes I feel like I want a bit more. Who knows. We will see how the rest of the season goes and if course what the finances dictate

It's pretty hard to measure disc run-out with floating or semi-floating discs, and as much as people complain about warped rotors, it's really pretty uncommon.  Your problem is more likely an uneven deposit of friction material on the disc. 

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/-warped-brake-disc-and-other-myths (http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/-warped-brake-disc-and-other-myths)

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/bed-in-theory-definitions-and-procedures/brake-pad-bed-in (http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/bed-in-theory-definitions-and-procedures/brake-pad-bed-in)

Zakly!

Also make sure the buttons are clean so the blades can move easily. 

Thanks Howie and ddan. I'll check it out tonight!

Just had this problem on a 796, turned out the rotors were just dirty. Sprayed them with brake cleaner, hasn't been an issue since

+1

I just had the exact same issue on my bike. Search for 'brake chatter' on this forum and you'll find several threads.  It is uneven deposits from the pads on the rotors.  I took my front wheel off and hit it with some 220 sand paper. I think if you don't have a sanding block and a wheel balancer it might be safer to just go after it with some scotchbrite. After that you just need to bed in the brakes. 

here  is a link I got from ddan about that.  It really helped me.

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/bed-in-theory-definitions-and-procedures (http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/bed-in-theory-definitions-and-procedures)

Thanks for the responses guys. Unfortunately, I totaled out my bike 2 days ago... I'll post a thread about it.

don't tell us you were riding with this condition at above "test" speeds . . .   [bang] [bang] [bang]

No no no,  the chatter problem was actually gone not long after posting this topic, I hadn't actually been able to go through all the suggestions and the issue worked itself out. Like I had mentioned it was at low speeds.

The accident had nothing to do with my breaking ability anyway. I was the victim of the "dreaded left turn",  you know when people misjudge the distance of themselves and the oncoming bike and try to quickly make a left turn....also I wasn't going above 35mph

[The accident had nothing to do with my breaking ability

Pun intended?


sorry about your bike. Hope U R ok

BA-ZING! good catch lol