Source for sintered pads - gs650gl

[Guest]

Hey everyone. Working on more maintenance, and I have looked around the site and the forums and not really found more than one source for sintered pads. I have some organics on the thing, and I can't stand them.
I run semi-metal pads on my car, and they make a huge difference. I very much dislike the brakes I have mounted. The braking isn't linear at all.
Maybe this is the "progressive" feel, but the brakes seem to work worse and worse as they warm up during a single lever pull.

I certainly need to ride more before I can say more about the "progressive" feel, but what is it actually supposed to feel like?
I'm having a lot of trouble finding info on the brake pad types and whatnot.

As I understand it, "progressive" means with constant lever pressure, the pads grab more as they heat up. Also, I finally found the explanation that organic<semi-metal<sintered. Semi-metal are organics with metal fibres in them, sintered are primarily (maybe >90%?) metal, and ceramic are a whole separate class.

In my opinion, organic pads suck. At least they make me feel like I'm trying to stop a semi, when I'm driving a normal car. The bike's braking has felt like this crappy dodge neon I had the misfortune of driving for a friend a few times.

I also plan to replace the lines and flush the fluid.

Thanks
William

[Steve]

True, sintered pads will stop you more consitently, but be prepared to buy new rotors every so often, too.

The material in our rotors will not stand up to the sintered pads very long.

.

[Nessism]

Sintered pads on ebay for $11/set. Get two sets for about $25 delivered. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...item1c10439fb6

Of course Steve is right about the rotors. Those pads are cheap for a reason, they are hard on rotors.

[WilliamGLX81]

Hm. Any other sources? I don't much like ebay, especially now that they bought out paypal and force you to use paypal.... Another rant for another time.

The place I took my bike this morning says they can get them for me. I said sintered, but I'll double check.

I don't mind eating rotors a little, if it means my brakes work how I like them to vs. I don't feel comfortable with them. We're talking $40 every 2 years maybe, at the most?
I am picking sintered over the semi-metal because the sintered is supposed to be easier on the rotors than the semi-metal. Sintered copper is softer than the iron fibers in the semi-metal pads. Or so I'm told.

[twr1776]

#1 Yesterday, 09:22 PM WilliamGLX81 I also plan to replace the lines and flush the fluid.

I would recommend replacing the lines with stainless, flushing all the fluids, and fully rebuilding the calipers first before going to the sintered pads. I did that on my bikes and with the Green Vesrah organic pads it stops very well IMHO.

Have you replaced the fork springs and rear shocks yet? In my opinion it is a package deal. Upgraded suspension, new stainless brake lines, fresh brake fluid, and good sticky tires will make a huge difference on the braking capability.

Here is my standard caliper photo. This is the inside of my caliper before I rebuilt it. The history is I bought this bike brand new off the showroom floor in 82 and it has always been garage kept. I am pretty sure the OEM rebuild kits are still about $ 20 - 30 per caliper. Cheap insurance IMHO.

[Nessism]

Calipers from a bike Salty Monk (Dan) bought...