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Hello there , having a little problem with my 80 kz1300 , when I apply the front brake ,as the fork compresses ,I seem to get this high pitch noise and when the fork comes back to normal the noise is gone. any ideas where I should look first ? Thanks

Sounds to me like a squeal in the brake caliper. Try a light coating of optimol grease on the backing plate of the pad where it touches the piston.
Also I have seen bad wheel bearings cause a squeal like that, not common but it does occasionally happen.

If you think the noise is from within the forks try compressing and extending the forks while standing astride the bike with the front brake clamped as tight as you can hold it. If all you hear is the sliding and fluid sounds of a properly operating fork then Rick is probably correct. You're hearing the disk brakes squeal.

PS: Welcome to KZ1300.com!

Bill

Thanks guys , I just replaced the front pads tonite and will test ride it tomorrow , hope that's it and if that is it , that would be the weirdest brake noise I ever heard on a bike. Bad news , while working on the bike , I noticed my headlight shell has a big crack on the bottom, will have to mix some epoxy until I find another one .Also , just installed a fuel pump from a older zx9 , fits perfectly in the tool tray under the seat , works great but again ,need to test ride .Little tip , if any of you are looking for a DG exhaust , try dirtoverstock.com , got one for $400.
Pat

Last week I had a lot of ice and snow on the truck so I ran it thru the car wash. every time I got up to 40 mph I heard this loud whistle. turned out to be the passenger window open just a hair. I am guessing the crack in the head light might be causing the same thing with your bike. Easy to figure out with some tape . Long shot but who knows

ok tested the bike with new brakes and all , noise still there and even stays on a little bit after I stop fully ??? could it be the tach or speedo cable making that high pitch noise ??? I am not a newbie , been restoring quite a few old kawis , well let you know w
hen I find the problem [ whenever we get another nice weekend here in NY]