front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Moderator: Modsquad
front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Hi guys,
This is not really a big problem but wanted to check with you guys, this started happening probably a week ago, I'll try my best to explain.
When I press my front brakes hard, when i'm squeezing it feels jerky like its creaking but I can feel it, there is no sound.
Bike stops fine, the front brake reservoir has a small bubble which I guess means the front has started to wear down a little as it use to be full, its not near the min mark so fluid is fine I guess.
I was hoping it just be the cold and I need to lube the handle aream its a bit cold to bleed it but I guess it could wait 4 months till my next service?
Any advice, its just a minor annoyance more than anything.
Thanks
This is not really a big problem but wanted to check with you guys, this started happening probably a week ago, I'll try my best to explain.
When I press my front brakes hard, when i'm squeezing it feels jerky like its creaking but I can feel it, there is no sound.
Bike stops fine, the front brake reservoir has a small bubble which I guess means the front has started to wear down a little as it use to be full, its not near the min mark so fluid is fine I guess.
I was hoping it just be the cold and I need to lube the handle aream its a bit cold to bleed it but I guess it could wait 4 months till my next service?
Any advice, its just a minor annoyance more than anything.
Thanks

- DAB
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 539
- Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:55 am
- Year: 2013
- Color: Red
- Location: Nottingham, UK
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
How many miles?, age?Cracksta wrote:Hi guys,
This is not really a big problem but wanted to check with you guys, this started happening probably a week ago, I'll try my best to explain.
When I press my front brakes hard, when i'm squeezing it feels jerky like its creaking but I can feel it, there is no sound.
Bike stops fine, the front brake reservoir has a small bubble which I guess means the front has started to wear down a little as it use to be full, its not near the min mark so fluid is fine I guess.
I was hoping it just be the cold and I need to lube the handle aream its a bit cold to bleed it but I guess it could wait 4 months till my next service?
Any advice, its just a minor annoyance more than anything.
Thanks
The brake pistons on some Hondas need quite regular greasing/cleaning when used in winter/ salty conditions.
Other rides
Yamaha MT-01, Yamaha BT1100, Yamaha WR250R, Ducati 900 GTS, Honda VFR 750FV, Honda Forza 350
Yamaha MT-01, Yamaha BT1100, Yamaha WR250R, Ducati 900 GTS, Honda VFR 750FV, Honda Forza 350
- Alibally
- Official Moderator
- Posts: 1761
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:47 pm
- Year: 2019
- Color: Black
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Are the pads free in the caliper? Check the disc for warping also. What does the rear feel like? It's a combi brake so the front works at 30% as well as the rear.

Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
hello,
CBS brake feels fine.
2012 (62 reg) done almost 6k miles, yes its ridden everyday.
I think it might be air in the front brakes, could be wrong though, if I'm pump the front brake the creaky feeling is gone, only till I move the bike forward then its back again.
The creaky feeling is only when I brake hard or apply firm pressure, its the same creaky feeling every time.
CBS brake feels fine.
2012 (62 reg) done almost 6k miles, yes its ridden everyday.
I think it might be air in the front brakes, could be wrong though, if I'm pump the front brake the creaky feeling is gone, only till I move the bike forward then its back again.
The creaky feeling is only when I brake hard or apply firm pressure, its the same creaky feeling every time.

- you you
- What's a wot?
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
- Location: Between Lulu and Chichi
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Cracksta wrote:hello,
CBS brake feels fine.
2012 (62 reg) done almost 6k miles, yes its ridden everyday.
I think it might be air in the front brakes, could be wrong though, if I'm pump the front brake the creaky feeling is gone, only till I move the bike forward then its back again.
The creaky feeling is only when I brake hard or apply firm pressure, its the same creaky feeling every time.
Fork oil needs changing?
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
To be more specific, the creakiness can only be felt on my right hand, as in when I apply the brakes.
The bike itself doesn't jerk etc
I do think its just air in the lines, what fluid should I get for these bikes? I might as well bleed the front and top up the fluid.
The bike itself doesn't jerk etc
I do think its just air in the lines, what fluid should I get for these bikes? I might as well bleed the front and top up the fluid.

- DAB
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 539
- Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:55 am
- Year: 2013
- Color: Red
- Location: Nottingham, UK
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Squirt a little WD40 where the lever meets the break cylinder, and then work the lever awhile.Cracksta wrote:To be more specific, the creakiness can only be felt on my right hand, as in when I apply the brakes.
The bike itself doesn't jerk etc
I do think its just air in the lines, what fluid should I get for these bikes? I might as well bleed the front and top up the fluid.
Other rides
Yamaha MT-01, Yamaha BT1100, Yamaha WR250R, Ducati 900 GTS, Honda VFR 750FV, Honda Forza 350
Yamaha MT-01, Yamaha BT1100, Yamaha WR250R, Ducati 900 GTS, Honda VFR 750FV, Honda Forza 350
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
I'll give it a go but what make me think its still air in the line is, when i'm stationary and pump the front brakes, this cures it but as soon as I pull away and stop, its back.DAB wrote:Squirt a little WD40 where the lever meets the break cylinder, and then work the lever awhile.Cracksta wrote:To be more specific, the creakiness can only be felt on my right hand, as in when I apply the brakes.
The bike itself doesn't jerk etc
I do think its just air in the lines, what fluid should I get for these bikes? I might as well bleed the front and top up the fluid.

- maddiedog
- Benevolent Overlord
- Posts: 3646
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:04 pm
- Year: 2011
- Color: White
- Location: New Mexico
- Contact:
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Air shouldn't have had a chance to intrude, that's odd.
The PCX takes standard DOT3/4 fluid, from any auto store.
If you have air in your brakes, that is generally not from wear, but from a leak somewhere. It seems unlikely. The procedure to bleed the brakes is pretty simple -- do you have the service manual? I can upload photos of the relevant pages.
The PCX takes standard DOT3/4 fluid, from any auto store.
If you have air in your brakes, that is generally not from wear, but from a leak somewhere. It seems unlikely. The procedure to bleed the brakes is pretty simple -- do you have the service manual? I can upload photos of the relevant pages.
Currently ride: Nothing right now - mostly mountain biking with my boys until they're old enough to ride
Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes

Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes
Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Hmm... perhaps my front brake pads are worn?
how long before you changed your front pads?
how long before you changed your front pads?

Re: front brake feels jerky/creaky when pressed hard
Old thread, but for reference purposes-
Those symptoms can be due to the brake fluid losing its lubricity; if you flush the system with fresh brake fluid it should feel smooth again. The master cylinder piston doesn't slide as smoothly when the fluid gets old and contaminated, so pulling on the lever hard causes a jerky stop/start feel as the piston slides and sticks.
Those symptoms can be due to the brake fluid losing its lubricity; if you flush the system with fresh brake fluid it should feel smooth again. The master cylinder piston doesn't slide as smoothly when the fluid gets old and contaminated, so pulling on the lever hard causes a jerky stop/start feel as the piston slides and sticks.