vibrating front brake feel...

[Peter Vee]

Hello Guys

I am still looking to buy my first gsx 1400 and finally found a good looking 2006 with only 39000 km on it.
(about 24.000 miles).
All looked well untill I did a test ride ....
the front brakes where vibrating as hell..
yep I could feel it real good in the brake handle , it stopped fine , (no fading) just felt like yes/no/yes/no braking.

upon inspection I spotted some oil leakage on, and down the left fork tube ..(not to much bearly visible but my hands where oily when I inspected )
the right one was also beginning to "sweat" as we say..no oil down the tubes just a greasy film on the tubes above)

So NOW WE HAD A POINT OF DISCUSSION ...

According to him, the vibration is caused by the leaking seal..
I can not beleve this as I dissassembled some forks before , and the guidance is well within the tube
the seals are only there to hold the oil in)

according to me the seals are bust because of the vibration..so the vibration comes from something else
I suspect a warped brake disk , as he admitted he had a tip over at a roundabout at 20 miles , and you can see it on the left engine chrash bar protection wich is dented (not much) also told me he needed to replace the clock housings and clutch handle , no dents in the tank and rest of the bike (I can see the tank is still oem).

Or are we both wrong and could this be something else still?
He is second owner so the bike could have been in something he does'nt know aswell)
I doubt that it is a brake pad issue as there where replaced last year (only 300miles done since then)
air in the system I als doubt as this will give other issues then vibrating..(oil seems very clear aswell, also changed with the pads)

so now we are in discussion of the price , he will deduct the price of the fork seals (and some work)
but nothing else , as I mensiond I think will have to buy 2 new disks aswell, cause who only buy's one?

any thougts on this?

also the 24.000km valve check has not been done it now has 39.000 km , could this be an issue aswell?
the engine cold started on tick over and it runs as smooth as swiss watch , no suspect noises at all..

cheers

Peter

[Mick_J]

Sounds like you need a fork strip and rebuild as well as new disks and pads, while the front end is off it would be advisable to check head bearings (Suzuki was a bit mean with the grease) and strip and clean out the brake callipers.  With a bit of hard bargaining you could be the new owner.

[Peter Vee]

Sounds like you need a fork strip and rebuild as well as new disks and pads, while the front end is off it would be advisable to check head bearings (Suzuki was a bit mean with the grease) and strip and clean out the brake callipers.  With a bit of hard bargaining you could be the new owner.

Well I am planning a usd fork build with this bike , but I want to ride the bike a bit first so it has to be in order..  sounds like more the 400 euro work and parts allready , and that is what I want to pay less then asking price..at the moment he won't budge
we are  kinda stuck
I checked the head bearings aswell ,(you know lift the front weel and pull back and forth,  they are flawless

[KiwiCol]

The brake pulsing could be gummed up bobbin on the rotors, especially if it's sat around and doesn't do much.  Brake rotors from Chinaland are cheap and will work if you're planning on swapping out the forks anyway. 

Fork seals is a job you can do yourself, there's a how to on here. (Link: https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=220.0 )

[gsxbarmy]

I'm inclined to think that its the discs themselves that are the issue and that the bobbins on the floating discs need freeing - easy enough job to undertake and fix https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=211.0

[grog]

Same as Mick wrote, fork rebuild, brake rebuild with new rotors.Work out the price deduction needed or walk away. It's been down the road you said, that part would worry me.

[GSXKING]

It sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Are the forks twisted ? It only takes a fraction to upset the balance.
If he's not willing to reduce the price then I'd say walk away.
When was last MoT ? 

[Kiwifruit]

I've had front brake issues. I believe the shop bent a disc on a tyre changing machine when breaking the bead. It pulsed something terrible. Tried straightening it, no joy. Then I thought "they are my brakes", so I binned the discs and replaced them along with new pads. Awesome brakes now (Metalgear).
Have replaced the seals but my bike had done 100,000kms. Did notice wear on the lower fork bushings.
The bike you're looking at seems to have a few problems for a bike that's only traveled 39,000kms. Maybe keep looking. 

[Eric GSX1400K3]

If hes not willing to budget, move on. I reckon theres more than 400euro of work in it, especially if you have to take it somewhere.

If you can get the front wheel off the ground, try a back and forwards pull on the fork legs, there should not be any movement. If any movement, the guide sliders in the stanchions are worn out.

 Check front tyre wear too, any fork slop will show up as uneven / assymetrical wear.

Sticking caliper pistons, brake disc bobbins, fork seals etc. a bit of work for capable diy'er, but still parts cost money.

Re valve clearances, wouldn't worry too much. My K3 is at 55000km and have never been adjusted, I checked them earlier this year and they were still in spec, I doubt they have ever been checked before that.. 

You could however use that as a bargaining tool if they haven't been checked since new.

Re tank, if the bike has been on its side, i'd check the tank with a small magnet. Its a full steel tank, but any bog would show up as the magnet drops off.

[Peter Vee]

It sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Are the forks twisted ? It only takes a fraction to upset the balance.
If he's not willing to reduce the price then I'd say walk away.
When was last MoT ? 

we have no Mot in Belgium , just when you sell the bike , yu have to go thru as sort of technical inspection where they just check the frame numbers , look if tyres are not worn and all the lights and blinkers work..and even that is going to stop by jan 1 2027

[Peter Vee]

Yeah I did check the play on the fork stancions all seemed well.
Now he contacted me again , accusing me of haggling the price down , below the minimum price he was willing to accept on the second hand site..

I would gladly pay that price , but only when all is well (still considering a 20y old bike )
He was very reluctant to give me a test ride aswell , so who is ever going to buy a bike without a ride?
I saw the maintenance book and the last dealer inspection was at 18.000km the rest he did himself (wich I believe) , but then I mensiond the 24.000km valve check and sayed he had not done that he had it for 10 years , so 10 year overdue...

He is going to repair the seals (by a mechanic friend) and also mensiond that the upon new inspection the front tyre was to low on pressure and that he puttet sealant in it at some point , so this would account also for the vibration....

We made a deal on a handshake and a word and I would come to collect later this week,(it's a 100mile journey one way) now he's backing out ...(unless I pay the price he first mensiond)

a man is as good as he's word so I'm backing out aswell
I will find another bike
thanks for the input guys
cheers
Peter

[grog]

Great choice Mate. Notty had trouble selling his so must be a few good ones out there. Dont be too concerned with mileage as long as serviced.

[Tony Nitrous]

I will find another bike

You did right.

I've bought bikes unseen, I've bought bikes with issues, but that needs to be what you want and priced accordingly.

It's very easy to buy the wrong bike.
A lot of us have been down that road.

Take your time, be fussy.
The fact you can walk away from a bike that isn't right will pay off later.

Good luck with your search.

Tony.

[GSXKING]

Good choice Peter V. What's in your price range ? 

[Peter Vee]

Good choice Peter V. What's in your price range ? 

I am looking for the best price /quality , so anywhere between 2000 and 4500 euro
2000 being a reasenable milage pre 2005 model with some small issues

and 4500 being a low milage( I suspect not to low for that price) after 2004 model with good service history and no issues...
I got time..
cheers

Peter