fitting new brake pads

[g0zer]

had to fit some new pads so took some pics to make a how to for noobs

1. open up the reservoir and suck out some brake fluid, to prevent overflow when you push the calipers in. brake fluid eats plastic and paint, so i use a rag to catch drips.




2. Unbolt and remove the caliper/brake block





3. the r1 uses split pins to retain a main shaft that the pads float upon, other manufacturers have their own variations.






4. push the pistons in, makes room to get the new pads in and to get the caliper back on the brake rotor



5. feel glad you remembered to remove some fluid in step 1, because this time it hasnt overflowed all over your bike when you pushed the pistons back in :p



6. old pads vs new



7. i scuff up the new pads on concrete before fitting them



8. new pads fitted, split pins back in. should use new pins, i am too lazy but i do inspect them before pinching them back up with pliers.





9. loctite for the caliper bolts, you dont want them rattling out.



10. caliper fitted back on



11. time to do the other side, so remember to suck out some more fluid :p



12. caliper looks a bit grimy, so i give it a quick hose out and brush with a dry lubricant (dont get teflon on your new pads or rotors duh)





13. i always do up bolts using fingers first, rather than spanners or socket drivers to eliminates cross threading and wrecking stuff.



14. pinch the bolts up lightly back and forth before torquing them, so that what you are bolting down sits nice and square and not twisted.







15. brake fluid sucks water out of the air, i dont know how fast it does this so because ive had the reservoir open for a bit i suck out the remaining fluid and top it back up with fresh stuff. i bled my brakes last week so im not going to bother today.





16. pump that fresh fluid into the calipers to push the new pads back out against the rotors.



17. top the reservior back up again, and fit the rubber top hat- note the big air bubble?



18. push finger into the top hat and get rid of that air bubble.



19. air bubble gone



20. not finished yet.. last step is go back over every bolt you have touched and double check them, then pressure test the brakes and make sure they arent leaking.







21. time for a break, i prefer vodka to beer but whatever



22. you arent done yet, now its time to go for a ride

WARNING: the first time you pull your brake lever with your new pads, they wont work! go somewhere safe to bed them in.. ride around drag the brake lever and wear the scuffed up pads so they mate to the rotors.

now you are done

[Griff]

Hey G0zer - I'm not a Noob, but that was well done dude...

[Nath]

Mmmm... NOS flavored Vodka...

loctite... not sure thats in the service manual... Anti-Seize and a torque wrench is though

[g0zer]

i did use the word torque in the context of doing up the bolts!

but as nath knows, i never use torque wrenchs.. i just hold the socket driver handle in different positions

[rgvlee]

nice write up, can i come over for pizza?

hope that loctite wasn't too strong. on the alloy bits like stanchions I prefer to use anti-seize and torque them up properly.

[g0zer]

lol

papa guiseppe does say to share

[Hostilemonk]

Hmm guess I must be slack - replace the pads by just removing the split pins and clip - take old ones out put new ones back - do one caliper at a time! Spread the pistons as I take the old pads out.

[g0zer]

it was only after making this thread and looking at the pics that ive noticed the r1 caliper is open from the top and lets you change out pads without removing the caliper *sigh* ive been doing it the long way!

[Xuaxace]

Good write up mate, I couldn't find any detailed guides on the net when I was doing mine, I ended up needed help... It is definitely worth having someone who knows what hes doing for the first time.

[Johnno]

I knew the gixxer pads came out the top and was thinking its odd that a race bike like an R1 wouldn't.

Good on you for the write up any way cause it shows how to do it for other bikes that dont have top access.

[Crashlington]

cheers for this gozer.

havent done pads before and thought i'd give it a go.

success!

[Scarface]

I work on cars for work and even when I was learning to do that stuff the "professionals" at work couldnt have given a better run down on how to do brakes. Well done man

[simso]

Tutorial was well done, the only criticism is that really you should have bled the brakes as well. Would have completed the tutorial nicely. But nice job

[Crashlington]

but as per a post above, i didnt need to take the whole caliper off.

this took the job down to about 15 mins without bleeding the brakes.

[Cap'n James086]

Such a responsible tutor!
Step 21: consume alcohol
Step 22: go for a ride


Nice guide. It's very clear.