Wanted: Brake pads that don't suck for my gs650glx

[Guest]

Hey everybody. My brake pads suck. They have a very "progressive" feel - which means I have to mash on them to get good stopping power. They stop me just fine, but I really don't like the feel and don't want to be distracted by having to squeeze them so hard in an emergency stop.

The Master cylinder and brake lever were pulled off a smaller bike (I think) by the PO, maybe that's the problem. I'll check it for Suzuki part numbers.

Anyway, I run semi-metal pads on my cars because they stop so much better, don't fade, and grab when I want them to. I can't find any Sintered or semi-metal pads that are actually stocked/made for my bike.
What are my options? Upgrade the brakes? I have a single cross-drilled rotor on my front and rear. I think it does have the FA-65 pads that it's supposed to, so I think it's the right rotor... How are all your bikes' brakes performance?

Happy Rides

[Flyboy]

Replace your brake lines with stainless steel braided lines.
those old rubber lines are 30 years old (I am assuming you have the OEM lines on the bike)
They deteriorate with age and actually swell (bulge outwards) during braking under the pressure of the brake fluid, reducing the force transmitted to the piston and pad.
And yes, check to see that the master cylinder pistson is the right diameter, it would affect braking as well if it is not.

[Nessism]

Sintered pads here... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...item53dfba180b

Also, the master cylinder on your bike should have a 14mm piston. Dual disc master cylinders have a 5/8" piston, and if used one with only one caliper, the hand force will be higher than if using a 14mm master.

You might want to check out what you have and go from there.

[koolaid_kid]

I use EBC pads on mine, they work fine. But you should consider your brakes as a system, not just individual parts. Rebuilding the master cylinder may be a solution, as well as de-glazing the rotors. When I replaced my stock rubber lines with stainless steel lines (which also necessitated flushing the system) my brakes were finally firm, like I prefer.

[WilliamGLX81]

Thank you Nessism. Are Pyramid Parts known to be at least standard quality? I usually avoid fleabay.

And Especially thanks for the hydraulic piston size measurement. I was thinking about the stuff we covered in physics about it - bigger piston in the MC will increase the multiplier. Hydraulics are so cool. :insert warning about dangerously high mechanical advantage here:

Koolaid- bingo that's a great point and I want to put on new brake lines. Things I've been wanting to do when I have some dinero....

[SVSooke]

Did my SS lines though this guy http://cgi.ebay.ca/SUZUKI-MOTORCYCLE...item19c304b18a .Turned out very nice:


Did 4 because I wanted rear lines and to keep the splitter.There's some good stuff on EBay,don't discount it.

[WilliamGLX81]

Those blue lines look very appealing

[Nessism]

Thank you Nessism. Are Pyramid Parts known to be at least standard quality? I usually avoid fleabay.

I have no experience with Pyramid parts, just noticed they claim to be sintered.

[hjfisk]

Stainless steel brake lines and sintered pads= 2 finger braking

[WilliamGLX81]

Slick. I just found a post about a single case where some pyramid parts pads separated from their backing. He bought them from ebay, but it looked like they'd been sitting in a rustbucket for a couple-six months.

Regardless, I will replace my lines, flush my fluid and calipers, then think about whether or not I want to replace functional brake pads. Until I make sure everything besides the pads is working correctly, it's kind of silly to blame them.
Thanks guys.
Ride safely.

[Octain]

Some info...

http://www.ebcbrakes.com/motorcycle_brake/sintered_brake_pads/sintering.shtml

[WilliamGLX81]

Thanks for the info link, but the issue is that I haven't found anyone who makes or sells sintered brakes for my bike. I'm going to make sure everything functions as intended before blaming my existing pads though.

[landshark]

Another +1 for EBC pads here.

[duaneage]

I did Goodridge brake lines on mine and now can lift the back wheel off the ground in a hard stop. EBC pads work fine for me.

[streetfighters]

It's the lines. They are expanding giving you the "squishy" lever feel. Bleed out all the air from the replacement steel lines once you install them.\
streetfighters