Heavy vibration under normal braking.......unsettling.

[Blackcherry360]

My mope has been of the road for a half year for the usual resto work. I decided it was time for a ride. She started up and drove suprisingly well. Mufflers are wide open so when I drop it down to second on a cruise it sounds nasty and menacing. Just the way I like it. When I come to a normal stop the front end does wheel hopping and a very unsettling steering wheel shake. The pads are at about 60%(discs in front) and 50% left at the rear drums. Any idea what may cause this.
Thanxs.
Jeff

[Chryco Psycho]

it could be warped front rotors , or rust on the rotors causing the uneven braking , if it is rust it will usually even out very quickly

[bull]

Was there any vibration before braking? If so I'd say maybe your wheel bearing preload wasn't done correctly and you might have a loose hub. Otherwise it would have to be a warped rotor as Chryco pointed out. Jack it up, pull the front wheels and make sure everything is tight such as the calipers, caliper adapters, wheel bearings/hubs, suspension componants, etc. If that's all ok you might have to have the rotors turned. I'd be tempted to try a little 'burn in' first if everything is tight, ie., a couple of hard, controlled stops followed by riding the brakes for a good 50 yards at a time with one foot on the brake and one on the gas at about 30 mph. A little heat will sometimes make things cooperate down there.

[Jon Smith]

I had a warped rotor on mine, i had it turned but it went again within a few hundred miles, if they're getting thin it might be time for new ones

[RD]

if it is only vibrating under braking, then i agree with the above, but if there is vibration while driving then check your tie-rods.  You can do this by jacking up your front end, grabbing your tire and wiggle side to side.  If there is major movement, 1/4" or more then a tie rod end is bad.  No movement is good.

[Plumcrazy]

If the car has not been driven for 6 months chances are the rotors are rusty.  If they don't smooth out fairly quickly then the rust may have pitted them bad enough to need refinished/replaced.

[Blackcherry360]

Fortunately, the problem does not occur when the car is moving. I jacked up the front end and found the rotors to be very rusty, pitted and grooved. I did not get a chance to mic them but just looking at them, I am certain they need replacement. Perhaps the calipers should be taken off and checked too. Thanks all for your input. I'll let you know how it goes.
Jeff