I am having some issues with my front brakes. I get some serious shudder when braking. Hard or easy. I did some looking around on the net and tried cleaning off my rotors. That helped a little. But now I notice that when doing lower speed braking, I can feel my handle bars turning side to side on occasion as I am nearing a complete stop. Not digging that much at all.

Something to also consider, when I picked this bike up, it was used with 12k miles on it and I noticed that the inside front brake pads on both calipers were worn down to about 1/4 inch while the outside ones seemed untouched. They still had the same thickness as a new pad. I am pretty sure it was the inside pads. Anyone have any idea why the pads would wear like that? Is whatever is causing that abnormal pad wear the main factor behind my poor braking?

Thanks in advance. I am hoping this isn't an expensive repair : O I'll tear apart the calipers if I have too if it means not having to buy new rotors.

12K used with a used tire is one problem. Pad wear on one side is another problem. Here is what I'd do:

1. Remove one caliper that has that wear patter you described.
2. Press the master to see all 4 pucks move out. If they do, then that is not the problem.
3. Refit axle setting, meaning, did they install the wheel right? Is the wheel's arrow in the correct direction?
4. Is the axle not send home? Meaning, does the left collar look odd or in general, no gaps, axle threads are not showing that much.
5. Bottom line; either pad drag/axle setting/reverse wheel, just to name a few off the top of the head.

What you are describing are also the symptoms of a cupped front tire which the 14 is somewhat prone to especially with heavier riders. Have read several topics over the years and a new front tire often is the cure. That brake pad situation sounds like that needs to be adressed regardless of whether or not it is causing any shaking.

I only weigh about 160 and the tires on this bike seem pretty new. Not sure how many miles were put on them but there is plenty of tire tread left. How do I pinpoint a cupped tire?

Also, thank you for taking the time to reply to this post. All these issues I am having with my 14 is making me miss my perfect running 600 I got rid of for this bike. Trying to like the bike but it's been hard so far.

I'll throw mine in here...why not.You've NO idea how the first owner maintained the bike.Well...maybe ya do...IDK...but he "could" have cheaped out(he did end up selling it with LOW miles)and only replaced (dumb as it sounds)the "worn" pads(if that's what he did).I know,I know...sounds crazy.Ya never know though about people.I'd go and get a new set of pads first off.See if that stops it.What color are your rotors right now?Do they look scored,like maybe the owner ran the pads down to the rivets?IDK...just throwing that out there.Get ya some EBC HH sintered pads..try those first(or stock Kawasaki pads...they're okay also).If it doesn't eliminate yer judder,......well...I personally had to replace my rotors at around 24,000 miles....maybe sooner...but didn't get to actually doing it until late last year...so it was way over 24,000 miles.Bought the EBC ProLite XC series.Plus the EBC Pro Pads(their recommendation).My brake feel and performance is,well....I can't imagine it being better.It was the only thing that stopped MY brake judder...and it got quite severe at the end.Nothing helped.New pads didn't do it.ONLY new rotors AND pads.Tried sanding the discs(and pads)several times...carefully...it went away for about 10 minutes.Then,was back with a vengeance.I'm guessin...warped rotors.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/30/2011 @ 10:59 PM *