I let my front pads wear dangerously thin, then replaced them. It was a tight squeeze to get the new pads under the pistons, but it made it with some help. I didn't mess with the fluid, I never have since I got the bike (bought in '01). I thought the pistons would adjust themselves, but it still applies more pressure than I'd like when I'm not applying the brakes. If I roll it slowly, the front brakes will make a moaning sound, with noticeable vibrations when driving at low speeds. I've driven maybe 50 miles with the new pads, and it still does this. Should I just wait for the pads to wear down some, or do I need to bleed the brakes or something?

 

What kind of bike is it? I replaced the pads on my 2001 CBR600F4i and some of my friends bikes and never experienced this. Are you sure the pads were the right ones for your bike? If so, perhaps you didn't assembly something correctly. Make sure the clips which retain the pads are installed properly and the pads slide smoothly on the bolts/pins. I would just take it all apart and see whats causing the problem. It shouldn't be like that.

 

It's an '01 Honda Shadow Spirit 750. I'm really **** about this bike, so it may be nothing to worry about. The pads fit fine, looked just like the old ones, and the pin slid in fine. When I say it makes a noise at low speed, I mean when coming to a stop, or when just starting to move. I'm thinking it make be the equivilant to a brake squeak, but it just makes a different sound. When on the move I don't notice anything, and they stop great, so I'm going to see if it changes over time.