hello everyone, in need of some help. recently installed a set of DNA mammoth wheels on my bike. 21" in front and 16" in rear. the front wheel went on nicely until I rode with it. when I apply the front brake the lever is harder to pull in than before with the stock wheel and there is a 'horn' sound coming from the brake. also the front end chatters a bit. the pads are fine, and so is the rotor. I lifted bike in the air spun the wheel, minimal drag on rotor. rim isn't bent, bearings are brand new, and my spacers are in the correct spot. if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated! thanks in advance!

 

Hey mate, I think you'll find that the braking capacity has been diminished by the bigger diameter front wheel. A brake upgrade maybe in order to restore the previous feel and stopping power.

 

Crazy as this sounds when I installed a front 21 inch (DNA) on a bagger I had the caliper dragging, not the pads but the caliper itself was dragging on my rotor, I kept looking at brake drag but it ended up toasting my brembo caliper...also check fender clearance my guess is its dragging in the back..fix it or burnt paint!!!

 

And one more thing DNA has been known to install bearings backwards, if you have abs this is important

 

Wondering if the forks were aligned properly when axle was tightened. if they are off, when you brake and force the sliders up the tubes it could be pulling off to side or fork sliders are compressed inwards. Any possibility of that? You could check by loosening the left side axle bottom cap nuts (looking at wheel from front), and bounce the forks up and down a bit. see if the left slider wants to move out or in on the axle shaft. typically bouncing it will force the natural alignment- even if there is a small gap between the inner left fork slider and left side axle bearing.

Hope you get it figured out- scary to not feel confident on the front brake.

post some pics too- pics will help (and we get to see your fancy new wheels )

 

thanks friends! i will try all of that once this damn snow stops! appreciate all of the pointers and advice. anything helps, if you think of anything more feel free to let me know. i will post pics soon as well, little easier to understand once photos are involved.

 

heres a pic after wheels were installed...still trying to figure out noise and vibration