Brake pads

[steptoe]

Brad, and any one else,,

If  your discs are getting hot whilst not using your  brakes,, there is more than a fair chance that your master  cylinder needs  a pull apart and clean at the very least,,

What,s happening is the pressure, relief /spooge hole has a tiniest bit of snot blocking it,  resulting in all the pressure not being released off the disc,

As the brake disc drags it creates heats,, inturn making the disc expand,  it creates a monster in itself,, and in a mates case enough to make the wheel lock up on a fine layer of sand in a corner when you least expect it

Something to check,,,,, and in your case Brad,, if you didn,t drain any fluid out the master cylinder,, have a rag under the handle bar BEFORE you undo the screws

[Far Canal]

Hi Errol. Went and had another crack at the brakes today. Reckon I went wrong first time by not using a clamp to push pistons all the way back in, instead I kinda just forced the new pads in.
I think the pads are all in the right way. The outside pads of each caliper have the thin end of the wedge closest to the axle, the inside ones have the fat end towards axle?.
The caliper bolts are straight but In my mind this is a pretty ridiculous way to hold a brake caliper on.....no wonder they tend to bend!.
Anyway all seems hunky dory now, front wheel spins when off the ground, no drag.
Cheers

[Eveready1100]

Brad, there's a couple of things to check on here. When you squeezed the pistons back in the caliper to fit the new pads, did they go back in easily? Sometimes, they will just go in with a firm push with the thumb. I usually use an F clamp to squeeze them in, one caliper off at a time. Then I give the lever maybe 2 pumps to let the piston move out again, then crack the bleeder and squeeze the piston back in to let the fluid immediately in the piston area that might have sludge or crud in it out. Close the bleeder and fit the new pads and refit the caliper. then do the other side.
Make sure that there is enough room in the master cylinder for fluid that is being forced back up the brake lines when pushing the pistons in. That can cause the brakes to bind if the reservior is chokkers with fluid.
When you were bolting the calipers back on, were the bolts straight? as even a slightly bent bolt can cause the calipers to misalign.
One final thing to check (applies only to Specials) is if you've put the correct sided pads into the calipers. It is possible to do, and has been done before. I did it my first time, but realised my mistake before finishing the job.
Let us know how you get on, mate.

[Far Canal]

Well sent out an email to the Goldfren folk and one to the SBS folk. SBS returned an email and turns out there is a distributor here in Tassie, so I went with a set of SBS ceramic recommended for road use.Thats all they had, but thats cool, hell! I'm no racer or stunt rider. $95 for a left and right set(front only), seems dear for a set of pads compared to the kevlar ones for sale on ebay but then again they have pretty steep postage charges from US.
Had to really persuade the things to fit.Seemed like they were a bees dick too thick but got em in. They were obviously dragging on the disc but what can you do? Adjuster on brake lever had play.
Compared to the oil soaked old pads they work a treat however you can feel the drag when rolling along and by jeezus they seem hot when you havent even been using the brakes. Well not red hot or even blue but pretty hot. Hoping this just sorts its self out and reckon it will.

[excess.11]

Here s a start to finding the Goldfren pads to suit the standard model Part no ......S3 082.

http://www.eurotred.com.au/Products/brakes/default.aspx?pid=1873

[Eveready1100]

Brad, if you have a local dealer, pop in and ask for his listing of pads to suit an XS750 - 850 SF, which are the same as the 1100's. They were sold here, and they should have listings for pads to suit them. barring that, have a squizz around the bay. Most of the time, you can get them much cheaper that way.
I haven't tried the Goldfren pads on my bike yet, as you may have gathered in my previous post. I can vouch wholeheartedly for the SBS ones though, which seem much more readily available.

Brett, glad I could help, as I know that feeling pretty well.

[BrettS]

Thanks Errol, I have google burnout at the moment looking for a new speedo so that helped a lot 

[Far Canal]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have heard good and bad re the Goldfren ones, the bad possibly relating to cheap imitations. Still trying to work out where to buy them from though.

[petejw1966]

hey fred,
fwiw, you can always cut up a soda can
and cut to size to fit.   jat

[Fred]

Guys,

Jeff put me on to the Bees' Knees of pads - "Goldfren" for my '78E, thanks mate

It wasn't the pads that I was looking for (On saying that though, I am pleased with them in all weather), it was that they are the only ones that come with the anti squeal plates that are needed to fit behind them.

It's impossible to buy the plates on their own these days and they do work to stop that annoying squeal on braking.

[Eveready1100]

Brett, have a a Captain Cook for pads to fit these=



Yamaha XJR1300SP. There's your bluespots hanging off the forks??

Here's some - CLICK

[BrettS]

Dam just realized that is the 6 piston calliper. Will try again later?

[BrettS]

Is this the ones we use for the bluespots ?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GOLD-FREN-BRAKE-PAD-YAMAHA-STREET-YZF-R1-246-/310510360498

[Eveready1100]

Nice one, Bryan. I didn't realise they made them for the Specials, but just had a quick google after seeing your post and ............ CLICK, there they are. I'll have to get a set of them in as it's nice to have a spare set on hand in the garage, instead of having to hunt around for some at the last minute.

[AussiXS11G]

I found that the Goldfren sintered pads were the shit for my style of riding