OP
@wkrp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2007 dragon red GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 73
Location: johns island, sc
 
Enthusiast
@wkrp avatar
2007 dragon red GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 73
Location: johns island, sc
UTC quote
Mechanical noob here:

I went on a long ride and noticed a noise coming from the rear wheel.

On the center stand with the engine on, there's a small squeak as the wheel spins. If I hold the rear brake lever, the squeal gets loud and stays constant.

I've looked around as much as I can with a flashlight but I can't really see anything that could be causing the noise.

I got her in May from a guy who put 12,700 miles on her. I assume she needs new brakes but wanted to check in with you guys first.

TIA
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 43354
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 43354
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
If you look at the back of the brake caliper, you'll see the tabs at the back end of the brake pads sticking out, with a pin through them from one side of the caliper to the other.

The gap between them is an indicator of how much brake pad you have left.

e.g if the gap is 10mm, take off 6mm for the thickness of the rotor (disc) and then divide by two to get the thickness of each brake pad material - in this case 2mm. The minimum spec is 1.5mm (some manuals say 1.8mm) so in this example the pads are near to replacement time.

If you've only got 7 or 8mm there, one pad is probably down to the metal. This will make some noise, and be pretty useless at actually braking. So always give a quick glance at that gap before riding to check you've good to go.

You can also get brake squeal from the pads vibrating at high frequency when rubbing against the rotor (disc). You can buy pads with special anti-squeal shims on them, or even make you own. Often just coating the back of the pads with a smear of anti-seize will stop the squeal. Just don't get any on the front of the pads!


Make your own shims:
Home-made anti-squeal brake shims? They work!
OP
@wkrp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2007 dragon red GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 73
Location: johns island, sc
 
Enthusiast
@wkrp avatar
2007 dragon red GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 73
Location: johns island, sc
UTC quote
Thanks jimc,
I feel like I need pictures to really get what you're saying but your advice sounds solid.
@max6200 avatar
UTC

Banned
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
 
Banned
@max6200 avatar
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
UTC quote
The brakes on my LX are squealing too. I thik it has something to do with the humity. JimC posted that adding some antiseize to the back of the pads may help. I never tried but it makes sense. I don't mind the squealing and just live with it as long as I do not loose braking power.
⚠️ Last edited by Max6200 on UTC; edited 1 time
UTC

Addicted
SilverWing 600-- 4nprevious Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 567
Location: chattanooga tn
 
Addicted
SilverWing 600-- 4nprevious Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 567
Location: chattanooga tn
UTC quote
Disk brake squeal can sometimes be simply fixed by squirting calipher with water hose.....works for awhile at least.....clear brake dust.
@max6200 avatar
UTC

Banned
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
 
Banned
@max6200 avatar
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
UTC quote
john grinsel wrote:
Disk brake squeal can sometimes be simply fixed by squirting calipher with water hose.....works for awhile at least.....clear brake dust.
Calipher? What is that?
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
Maybe he meant caliper ...
@max6200 avatar
UTC

Banned
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
 
Banned
@max6200 avatar
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
UTC quote
Attila wrote:
Maybe he meant caliper ...
silly me. But I would use some kind of soap wit the water.
@attila avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@attila avatar
In garage: Yamaha Tricity 155 Urban 2019 - MV Agusta 125 RS 1956
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8291
Location: Latina (Italy)
UTC quote
Max6200 wrote:
Attila wrote:
Maybe he meant caliper ...
silly me. But I would use some kind of soap wit the water.
It would eliminate the squeal but also the braking power, it would still be an interesting experiment.
Well ... If he does it would be worth seeing.
OP
@wkrp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2007 dragon red GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 73
Location: johns island, sc
 
Enthusiast
@wkrp avatar
2007 dragon red GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 73
Location: johns island, sc
UTC quote
Following up: It's not the brake. It's the drive belt.

I'm trying to decide if I'm woman enough to handle that replacement myself or risk riding it 20 miles to the closest shop.
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2024 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0296s ][ Queries: 3 (0.0034s) ][ Debug on ][ 313 ][ Thing One ]