Hi all,
I did some work on my '89 Honda Transalp this weekend and now it seems like something is rubbing against a tire at regular intervals. It feels like theres a point where the brake pad is coming in contact with the disc every rotation, but I'm not sure since I don't have a stand for the bike and its hard to look at rotating wheels when you're driving. Also, after driving the bike for 20 minutes the disc wasn't particularly warm as I would expect if the brake was slightly engaged.

The work done was a flushing of the front brake fluid, changing the fork spring oil and tightening the chain. I also fiddled with the wingnut at the end of the rear brake rod a little. When I was changing the fork oil I knocked the bike over, while pulling out the springs (wasn't quite prepared for the drop that happens). The wind screen broke and the plastic got a little banged up but it didn't look like there was any other damage.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be causing the rub feeling?
Thoughts I've had so far are:
The brake fluid is to full and slightly engaging the brakes, but I read that that isn't possible.
The fork oil isn't even in the two forks so the wheel is slightly tilted, but I would expect a constant rub, not intermittent.
The chain is old and due for a change, and maybe I'm misinterpreting the feel altogether.
The drop bent something that I'm not seeing for some reason.

Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tyler

You may have bent or warped the disc.

You need to get the front wheel off the ground to check it properly. Place a block of wood under the frame and use a car jack or with help put it on the side stand and pull the bike towards you, lifting the front.

Rotate the wheel, if its catching in one specific area investigate.

Another possibility is you have overtightened the rear chain and it is binding at the tight spot.

All chains (well sprockets actually) have a tight spot (and a 180 degree opposite loose spot) - if you get the chain tightened correctly at the loose spot it can sometimes grab and seize at the tight spot, with the symptoms you describe.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

You can normally see brake pad material on the disc where it is warped, that is if the disc has not been washed clean after some riding. But as DarrenM says get the wheel off the ground and slowly rotate it to check.

Another vote for checking the chain but this time also check that you don't have the wheel cocked. Ie the swing arm chain adjusters should be even. Also check that they are not too tight so that when you tighten up the axle nut it makes the chain too tight.

Loosened the chain and lubed it up real good. That seems to have helped. There's still a slight wooshing that I can hear at a regular interval at low speeds. Maybe from scalloped tires? I think I might be paranoid at this point. Anyhow, I'm getting a stand this weekend to pop the tire up and check it just in case.
Thanks for the help.