Front brakes squeaking on 1983 Honda Shadow 750VT?

Just looking for some possible explanations for this before I bring it to a mechanic (so I don‘t get taken for a ride). I am brand new to motorcycles, and received this bike from a friend. It is in excellent condition, and runs great, except just this past week the front brakes started squeaking loudly when the brake is NOT engaged. It happens when walking with the bike, and when riding - its loud, and is not constant, but comes in a 1-2 second on/off patten. It seems to lessen when I brake. Some friends suggested its a brake warning detector, but that seems like it would engage when the brakes are applied. Any help would be appreciated.Thanks.

no, because most of the world's population don't drive

Before you spray WD-40 on anything remember that it is a lubricant and the last thing you want on your disc or pads (it will contaminate the latter). The favourite suspect is a slight seizure on the calipers, they need to be cleaned, unbolt them from the fork, remove the pads (check they are within acceptable wear, there should be a visible groove) and using pressure on the front brake push the pistons out, if they are mucky a good clean with brake cleaner should loosen it, use a brush to get it into the awkward spots and clean with a clean dry cloth. If there is stuck on dried on muck you can use emery paper but be very gentle you do not want to score the outside of the piston. Ultimately the calipers will need to be dismantled and properly serviced, probably requiring new seals. I would suspect a warped disc among other things – put the bike on a stand so that the front wheel is off the ground, attach a pencil or similar to the fork leg with some tape so that it is almost touching the disc, spin the wheel and watch to see if the disc gets closer or further to the pencil. A warped disc (unless it is a irreplaceable classic) is not worth repairing, new ones should be available. It could also be that the back of the pads need a blob of copper grease – this used to be the case with all older calipers but is not necessary now, unbolt the caliper, remove the pad, grease up the back of the pad and replace – NB again you do not want grease on the face of the pad. Last possible is that there is brake dust on the face of the disc and it just needs cleaning off.

no, because most of the world's population don't drive

I have a similar vintage other honda model-- the front brake calipers are sort of 'flexible' mounted- the anchor bolts are on a arm that allows the caliper to move slightly sideways when braking and retract when pads released-- so likely the caliper anchor bolt and arm area needs lubrication. I used WD40 on old Goldwing when it was squealing after winter storage and thumped side of caliper with a wood block a couple times to get slight movement noticed and then applied brake a couple times- no more squealing. You may also have a piston slow retract on pad- some caliper are fixed- so brake and release several times, thump with a wood block, see if that helps. This is sort of common here in Wisconsin after a winter storage- lots of little things need a bit of lube, that's why WD40 is popular.

I think you should look to the wheel bearings. Get a floor jack and put it under the frame on the right side, a little in front of where the side stand bracket (on the left side) is. You can lift the front wheel off the ground, this way, the bike will rest on the the jack, the side stand and the rear wheel. Spin the front wheel and determine where the noise is coming from, I'd bet on a worn out wheel bearing but you can determine if its brake related. If the wheel bearing is gone you can probably wiggle the wheel on the axle. If you remove the wheel you can stick your finger in the wheel bearing and determine for sure if it's worn out, or not. Find an owners or service manual for your bike You may be able to down-load one, free. Good luck. Any maintenance or repair you can do yourself means more money to spend on gasoline and women.

I think you should look to the wheel bearings. Get a floor jack and put it under the frame on the right side, a little in front of where the side stand bracket (on the left side) is. You can lift the front wheel off the ground, this way, the bike will rest on the the jack, the side stand and the rear wheel. Spin the front wheel and determine where the noise is coming from, I'd bet on a worn out wheel bearing but you can determine if its brake related. If the wheel bearing is gone you can probably wiggle the wheel on the axle. If you remove the wheel you can stick your finger in the wheel bearing and determine for sure if it's worn out, or not. Find an owners or service manual for your bike You may be able to down-load one, free. Good luck. Any maintenance or repair you can do yourself means more money to spend on gasoline and women.

Before you spray WD-40 on anything remember that it is a lubricant and the last thing you want on your disc or pads (it will contaminate the latter). The favourite suspect is a slight seizure on the calipers, they need to be cleaned, unbolt them from the fork, remove the pads (check they are within acceptable wear, there should be a visible groove) and using pressure on the front brake push the pistons out, if they are mucky a good clean with brake cleaner should loosen it, use a brush to get it into the awkward spots and clean with a clean dry cloth. If there is stuck on dried on muck you can use emery paper but be very gentle you do not want to score the outside of the piston. Ultimately the calipers will need to be dismantled and properly serviced, probably requiring new seals. I would suspect a warped disc among other things – put the bike on a stand so that the front wheel is off the ground, attach a pencil or similar to the fork leg with some tape so that it is almost touching the disc, spin the wheel and watch to see if the disc gets closer or further to the pencil. A warped disc (unless it is a irreplaceable classic) is not worth repairing, new ones should be available. It could also be that the back of the pads need a blob of copper grease – this used to be the case with all older calipers but is not necessary now, unbolt the caliper, remove the pad, grease up the back of the pad and replace – NB again you do not want grease on the face of the pad. Last possible is that there is brake dust on the face of the disc and it just needs cleaning off.

I have a similar vintage other honda model-- the front brake calipers are sort of 'flexible' mounted- the anchor bolts are on a arm that allows the caliper to move slightly sideways when braking and retract when pads released-- so likely the caliper anchor bolt and arm area needs lubrication. I used WD40 on old Goldwing when it was squealing after winter storage and thumped side of caliper with a wood block a couple times to get slight movement noticed and then applied brake a couple times- no more squealing. You may also have a piston slow retract on pad- some caliper are fixed- so brake and release several times, thump with a wood block, see if that helps. This is sort of common here in Wisconsin after a winter storage- lots of little things need a bit of lube, that's why WD40 is popular.