Strange Noise from Front Brake

[Dcocch]

I've been having this issue for with 2011 Phantom for about a month now. I get a strange noise from my front brake as my wheel is spinning. It's almost like a grinding/rubbing noise. The brake works fine, there is nothing loose, and I don't have any shavings coming from anything. I took it to a shop and the mechanic rode it around the block, did a visual check of the entire front wheel assembly and said it was probably the pad rubbing a little bit and it would wear off shortly.

Well...it's been 300+ miles and it's not wearing off. I'm guessing it has something to do with the brake pads not fully disengaging because it doesnt start until I use the front brake on each ride.

I'm going to disassemble the front brake this week. Would anyone happen to have the front brake assembly pages of the repair manual they could scan and email me? I have the 2011 Phantom but I'm guessing most of the newer Shadows have the same front brake system.
I ordered a repair manual but it won't arrive for 4 or 5 days and I'd like to get this fixed as soon as possible.

My email is cocc0016@gmail.com Thanks in advance and if you have any other ideas on what it could be I'm all ears!

[Offday]

Are you positive its the brake?
Does it change pitch or anything when you apply the
brake as opposed to just spinning?
When you take of the front caliper try to lift the front
end enough to spin the wheel and see if it still does it.
Could be the front wheel bearing and not the brake at all.

[DOOMCULT]

I was walking my 05 spirit back into the garage last night and discovered this same noise. I am also curious to any suggestions.

[jimnfor]

FYI, if your bike is under warranty, don't go tearing things apart. If you DO find something on your own and THEN try to get it covered under Honda, they can choose to NOT cover it under warranty since you've been in there.
Try some harder than normal front braking (on a safe clear road of course) and see if that 'cleans' the front pads any. It doesn't take much for something to cause some noise in between the pad and disc.

[h13man]

Most disc brake make noise. The holes in the rotors that help cool them also creates noise. I just replaced mine with EBC organics and they much noiser than stock. All is good.

[oconeedan]

My front disc brake drags slightly, especially when cold. Very slightly, enough to hear it at low speeds, but not enough to do any braking. No big deal.

Pull your clutch in while going slow, let the engine idle down, and see how your bike coasts. If it doesn't seem to slow down, it is nothing to worry about.

Make sure it isn't your speedo cable, disconnect it at the bottom and coast around in a parking lot. Will take you maybe 5 minutes. A speedo cable that needs lube won't last long.

Dan

[Dcocch]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to see what the schedule at a Honda Dealer looks like before I rip it apart. This is the first vehicle I've ever owned that has a warranty...I forget about it!

[Phantom 31]

Same exact issue here ('11 Phantom & faint rubbing noise). I noticed this months ago, but doesn't seem to be anything more than slightly annoying. Let us know what the dealership says....

[John Hopkins]

generally it is the pistons sticking..with no fluid they should move in and out freeley if they are hard to push in they need removing and cleaning..

John.

[jmatteis]

My 07 C2 does the same... not all the time, but sometimes it starts after braking at a light or something. Then I hear a very faint rubbing, but the bike coasts freely... if there is any drag, it's very minimal...