1400 Front brakes

[Bud]

     I know this subject was discussed a couple of months ago but I can't seem to find it with the search section. It was brought up that the front brakes will load up with brake dust and cause the brakes to pulsate as if the discs were warped. I am super light on the brakes and it was noted that using them in this way actually makes the problem worse.
     I seem to remember someone recommending cleaning the discs with brake cleaner on a rag, which I have done, and also taking some high grit paper and going over them as well, which I have not done. Cleaning the discs did not work. I have cleaned the buttons in the past which also did not work. I have also blown out everything with a compressor as well.
     My next mission was to pull out the pads and blow the calipers out and maybe sand the pads?
     I have had the discs changed twice under warrantee and the second time I was told that they were within spec but when Jim Hamlin rode the bike the first thing he said was "these brakes are #$%#@!" and was able to get them replaced. Seems to me the first time it happened they were really bad and it was around 6k mi. The second time was about 12k mi. and here I am at 18kmi. and the problem is getting worse. Also leads me to believe this is a brake pad issue not a disc issue.
     Wondering if anyone knows of a different pad compound that might fix the problem. Any thought are welcome.
     This is the first and only bike that I have had or heard of that has this type of a constant problem, has to be a simple fix

[lucian]

Bud , look very closely at the rotors, specifically where the pads run on the inner diameter. The pulsing can be caused by the pads wiping too low on the rotor and actually dragging across the slightest bit of rotor spokes causing the pulse every time a spoke runs through the pads. The fix is to elevate the calipers slightly with the addition of some spacer washers. Worked a treat on my 1400 custom. Will get some pics for you later on this eve.

[Bud]

     Thanks for the reply Lucian. This came up on an old site and I actually installed some washers just as you did after my first set of discs. When examining the second set of warped or pulsating brakes Jim Hamlin said he didn't believe that would work and had his mechanic remove them. I guess I would have to agree with him only because it happened again.
     Does seem to be a disc wear issue as it always seems to get very annoying at about 6k mi.as I said. I might try it again just to see if it might make a difference.

[JohninVT]

How did you clean the buttons?  Here’s how I do it: slip a 2” long bolt through the button so the threads are on the outside.  Screw a nut finger tight onto it so the button is sandwiched.  Slip the remainder of the bolt into the chuck of a cordless drill.  Spin that sucker until no more dust comes out and it’s floating again.  My 1200 Sport discs used to pulsate after 5-6,000 miles but after I cleaned out the buttons it would stop. 

[Bud]

     Thanks for the reply John. I can't remember exactly how I did it but I might give your method a shot. Really seems like the discs themselves though. I have to use the rear brake to come to a stop once I reach below 15mph or so or it is just lunging and fork dive. Higher speeds if I get on them hard really not that bad.