Let's talk brakes. | GTAMotorcycle.com

Let's talk brakes.

jay-d

jay-d

Well-known member
Site Supporter
I've never changed the brakes on any of the motorcycles that I've owned. This is the first bike that I'll be switching to some EBC HH pads on front/rear.. bike is an '06 VFR 800 with 20,000km.

I know how to do it, and the mechanics and what not involved, but do I need to do anything different?

1. Do I need to refinish the rotors or clean them? I'm going from OEM pads to HH so is there some sort of glazing or anything on the rotors that needs to be removed?
2. Should I rebuild the caliper seals? If so, where do I start? :(
3. I've read that rear brakes shouldn't have HH pads as they are super grippy.. but my bike has linked brakes and ABS (not sure if ABS on the rear wheel as well) so maybe that will offset that.

I think that's what I can come up from the top of my head.. if there's anything I should know from your experience, please share!
 
I'm not as experienced as others on this site, but each time I've changed the pads I just take the old ones off, put the new ones in and leave it at that.
 
matthew said:
I'm not as experienced as others on this site, but each time I've changed the pads I just take the old ones off, put the new ones in and leave it at that.
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Well.. with cars, I do a lot more like lubing slider pins, cleaning the hub, etc.. so I'm sure there's more to the maintenance side of things than that on a bike.. even at only 20,000km.

I know there's no slider pins as it's a closed design caliper, but the dust seals on the calipers might need some maintenance or replacement.
 
At the very least scuff up the rotors with green scotch brite pads before the new pads. You can also buy a tool for this that goes in your drill if you're more serious. Pump the pistons out and clean them up nice with brake cleaner so you don't get crap pushed past the seals after you put your new pads on, clean anything else that's dirty with brake clean. You can take a bit of emery cloth to the pin that holds the pads in for good measure.
 
KJM said:
At the very least scuff up the rotors with green scotch brite pads before the new pads. You can also buy a tool for this that goes in your drill if you're more serious. Pump the pistons out and clean them up nice with brake cleaner so you don't get crap pushed past the seals after you put your new pads on, clean anything else that's dirty with brake clean. You can take a bit of emery cloth to the pin that holds the pads in for good measure.
Click to expand...

This is what I was looking for! Can you elaborate on the highlighted bit? Won't pumping the piston out break the seal or force it out of the caliper? I've always been told never to pump the brakes if the caliper isn't attached to the rotor.. :confused:
 
I would check VFRDISCUSSION to see if there is any benefit using EBC over OEM. I hated the EBC for my 5th gen VFR, i should have stayed with stock. Poor fitting, rattled.

At 20,000km do you need brakes?, i would do a brake fluid change and check that site for the bleeding procedures on that linked bike of yours.
 
Try CL pads, had them in my 98 and as soon as my 00 needs new pads that is what it will get. XBK5 in the front, RX3 in the rear.
 
OEM pads would be my first choice, next would be EBC HH pads.

For pads...scuffing the rotor will help - but the more important thing would be to pad imbedding process? (hard breaking to seat / mesh pads with rotors...)
 
Don't use brake clean on the calipers, only soap and water or kerosene. Brake clean is for taking oil and contaminants off of rotors
 
Bleeding abs brakes-- Is this something best done by a dealer.


I usually replace brake fluid every fall as part of winterizing prep. however my current bike is fitted with ABS so not as straight forward anymore. Anyone doing this themselves?
 
STARSHIP said:
Bleeding abs brakes-- Is this something best done by a dealer.


I usually replace brake fluid every fall as part of winterizing prep. however my current bike is fitted with ABS so not as straight forward anymore. Anyone doing this themselves?
Click to expand...

Screw that, why pay crazy dealer prices just because your bike has ABS...I did a BMW S1000RR for the first time ever bleeding a bike with ABS, nothing special was required....
 
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