Learn me about motorcycle brake pads

Hey VFR Crew!

I just installed new EBC front pads on the ol' girl last night. I have installed disc pads on motorcylces before, but wanted to know of any suggestions for bedding in the new pads in the Viffer. Is it like a car where you do 10 sucessive hard stops from 50mph to 5 mph (without coming to a complete stop)???

I went through the extra step of removing the caliper bracket and re-lubing the slides with high-temp caliper pin grease. These are VERY servicable units, so easy to work on... I imagine that a brake pad change at a pit stop would take a seasoned pit crew less than 3 minutes to do. The fluid was still a clear medium amber color, so I did not see the point of bleeding and re-filling the system.

I am not so sure it matters, but the EBC pads only had one "cut" across the pad surface, where the OEM Nissin pads (1/2 worn at 17.5k) had three cuts. I believe this is for heat expansion/dissipation... Does anyone know if this makes a difference for normal street riding???

 

I personally always use some light sandpaper on my discs to remove the excess residue from the previous pads but it's not necessary. Just ride it, you're fine. You'll get a lot of differing opinions on how to bed in a set of pads but it won't make much of difference. The EBC will initially have a "bite" much better than the stock pads but eventually that will fade. The cuts you mention don't have any impact on anything to my knowledge. Just as an FYI, most guys I know use the EBC's on the track where the temps are much higher than the street which would make your theory backwards.

Ride on...

 

My rotors were not glazed at all (one of the benefits to changing your brake pads at 50% worn), so I think that I will forego the light rotor sanding.

I do not have any sort of pulsing or vibrations when braking (even from 110+ off the freeway), so just being careful on the first couple of rides should have the brakes at 100% shortly, then?

The EBC pads that I got were the sintered kind (pad material is dark grey with gold flecks in it), they were sold to me as street compound pads. I am pretty certain that there are several different EBC brake pad compounds for cars, so this must be true for bikes as well.

 

My fault, I was making my comments based on the EBC HH pads.

 

As one who works in the industry ( check out any Corvette brake caliper - Made in Australia) I can tell you this ....
The slots in a pad are used for: 1/ identification or 2/ noise control.
Slots/holes in rotors are for gas/heat dissipation.

 

Advisable to thoroughly clean discs (holes too) with brake cleaner spray when changing pads. (NEVER get that shit on your tyres, so use protection!)

take one ride just to bed in pads....always keeping an eye on your rear for cars!

use moderate pressure on a long series of 50mph to 10mph cycles, always allowing cooling period between.

gradually increase lever pressure as pads come in.

 

HH's and Galfer brake lines are my next mod on the 97 Two!

I am hoping I can get them done before track time:smile:

I just had race-tech springs and CBR F3 internals dropped in the front. I am picking it up Monday and am excited!

BZ