I wonder what I screwed up this time...

[salmonhunter]

Newbie, first post. Hello all. I've had my 89 for about 6 weeks. I removed the wheels for a new set of tires about 300 miles ago. I was checking the air pressure last night and I noticed a thick black dust on the drive side of the rim. I don't remember hearing any weird noises coming from that area on my ride home from work last night. I have no idea what it could be but I'm worried I did something wrong when I replaced the rear wheel and the drive is now chewing itself apart. What can I check/do to troubleshoot and repair this? Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.

[doug of so fla]

It is more than likely "Brake Dust" from your caliper brake pads, not to worry unless your brake pads are dragging, put M/C on center stand and spin tire and operate brake, if there is no drag when brake is NOT applied, you are good to go. If you did not have any dust on rim, for sure when you changed tire then you need to check to see if caliper is working, but brake dust is common to get on rims, even in 300mi. Cheap pads will create more dust. EBC or OEM pads are the best.. check your brake pads to see how worn they are. Use a flashlite and you can see both pads. Make sure when you ride you are not touching brake pedal.

If brakes are dragging you need to clean and grease brake pins ( pins that pads are hanging on) & clean and lube brake pistons. Push piston out a little not all the way out and clean crud that builds up on outside of pistons. Also may be good to do a brake system bleed. Brake system kinda important in keeping rider ALIVE!! RIDE SAFE!!

[salmonhunter]

I was hoping it was brake dust...whew. thank you for the reply. I'll check when I get home from work. I parked it because I wasn't sure what it was. I'm not exactly a good wrench so I just figured I tore something up.

[salmonhunter]

I checked. It was just brake dust. I was just being paranoid. Thanks for the help.

[lockwoodjohn]

Hay Salmonhunter,
Do not automatically think you messed up something on your bike
All because you worked on it! I bet your better wrench then you give yourself credit for. A service manual, A little reading and the good knowledgeable people on this web sight and like me you will will learn
A lot and gain confidence in yourself. I got my Voyager last Sept. Before that I never even knew Kawasaki even made a Touring bike did not even know where the oil drain plug was, Never mind about the second one, Until I read about it on this web sight!
Enjoy and have fun learning and ridding your Voyager
lockwoodjohn

[salmonhunter]

Lockwoodjohn,

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I do have a service manual but that thing wasn't written for rank amateurs. I'm sure I'll be back on here asking a ton of questions.

Ride Safe,

Salmonhunter