VF500 Brake Pads

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by slowbird, Jun 5, 2008.

  1. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    My bike seems to be getting a bit amount of fade when going around town.

    ...at times the bike front brakes will bite evenly and cleanly...other times I'll have to pull the front Brake lever in quite a bit before the brakes start to grab...but they still grab okay.

    The pads of alot of meat left on them but I figure the guy who sold me the bike just tossed on a cheapy set.

    Does my problem sound like brake fade...and if so are OEM Honda pads the best bet?
     
    slowbird, Jun 5, 2008


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  2. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Possible it could be brake pad fade....could be tiny bit of water in your brake fluid as well. That would not be as noticable until the brake fluid gets hot enough to turn the water into a gas though...then it would get really spongy. Could be that your brakes lines are very old and are expanding a lot more now. Then you would need new brakes line, stock or stainless steel is even better for better feedback/brake lever feel.

    Lots of us on here have and like EBC HH pads. They are a good quality pad.

    If you have not had it done for quite sometime, a brake line flush might not be a bad idea as well. Just to ensure that nothing has comtaminated your lines.

    At the very least, I would inspect your brake lines, inspect your rotors, check the color/appearance of your brake fluid, bleed your brakes, and install some new quality pads. Also ensure that the discs do not have any contamination on them as well. Sometimes I scuff up the discs with sandpaper as well to help the new pads bed-in better to the disc.

    An idea to try, sometimes you get away with scuffing up your current pads (evenly block-sanding them) if you think that they are glazed over. Doesn't always work, but if you are looking to save some $$$ it might be worth a try. To me though, brakes are purty damn important!
     
    derstuka, Jun 5, 2008


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  3. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Thanks for the reply derstuka,

    When I got the bike the previous owner flushed the brake fluid before I got it. Through the little window I see the Brake fluid and it's very clear...and it's full.

    Maybe he didn't bleed them properly? But having an air bubble in the lines shouldn't feel like that no?
     
    slowbird, Jun 5, 2008


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  4. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    Agreed, it's most likely nothing to do with the pads. As suggested I'd start with a flush of the brake fluid and see what happens. If it still does the same thing I'd rebuild the master cylinder. If it STILL does it maybe a set of pads would be a good idea (Vesrah makes a nice pad at a decent price). I'd rebuild the calipers last and only if the rest doesn't work.

    Just out of curiosity: do you feel any pulsations from the front brakes? Even a little?
     
    JamieDaugherty, Jun 5, 2008


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  5. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    No, air in the lines is VERY noticeble at any temp. A fresh bleed might not hurt. Like I said, water could be in your lines. Try scuffing up the pads (by evenly block sanding them) scuff your rotors up a little bit (clean them afterwards of the sand) then try bedding them in again and see how they work. Like I said before, your brake lines could be just getting older as well, and allowing more expansion.
     
    derstuka, Jun 5, 2008


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  6. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I'll try bleeding first. Thanks guys!

    DOT4 the best to use?

    I'm unsure what's in it now...can you mix DOT3 & 4?

    Also...I heard bleeding can be tricky on a bike....true?
     
    slowbird, Jun 6, 2008


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  7. CARMINE

    CARMINE New Member

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    hi,
    try new brake pads. I use Brembo pads on my 87 VFR : they are more "smooth" but ensuring a safe braking.
    Note : avoid to wash the bike with hot water/petrol mixture (as they use in some washing stations). This blend is very bad for brake pads : pads are "burnt" in this ways and you loose braking efficiency.
    Lamps to all VFR owners.
    Carmine.
     
    CARMINE, Jun 6, 2008


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  8. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Well, this will make the job a hell of a lot easier. Makes a doing it by yourself much easier.

    Mity Vac Link

    Cycle gear is one place that sells it.

    Cycle Gear Mity Vac


    I believe you can mix dot 3 & 4. Read the bottle to be sure. I believe dot 4 is what is in my bike.
     
    derstuka, Jun 6, 2008


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  9. CARMINE

    CARMINE New Member

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    yes, you can mix dot 3 and dot 4. The only difference is the point of resistance to heat, that'is higher in dot 4.
    Lamps....
     
    CARMINE, Jun 6, 2008


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