ALT-1 How to Change Motorcycle Brake Pads
Maintenance rules dictate that every mechanical part of your motorcycle is checked at regular intervals and replaced when the need arises; and changing brake pads is probably one of the easiest maintenance tasks you could perform yourself. Not only will it prove to be less expensive than visiting a mechanic, but it will also save you a lot of time.
To determine whether yourmotorcycle’s brake padsneed replacing, crouch in front of the bike and look directly at the disk brake and caliper. From this position, it should be easy to determine whether the brake pads have passed their service limit of 1mm – in which case they will need to be changed. Failure to do so will wear them down completely, drastically reducing braking performance and damaging the disk brake in the process.
Selecting your motorcycle’s new brake pads should be the first priority. For normal riding, stock pads will do. However, if you drive aggressively or intend to race your motorcycle on a circuit, sintered brake pads should be utilized. While more expensive than their stock counterparts, sintered brake pads will provide a much better braking performance, making them vital components for any racing bike.
Step 1
Start by raising the motorcycle on the centre-stand or any work stand suitable for the job and loosen the retaining pins maintaining the brake pads inside the caliper. Do not remove them completely at this point.
Step 2
Now you will need to remove the caliper from the disk brake. Replacing the brake pads with the caliper mounted in place is possible, but by removing it you will facilitate your task and gain access to the entire braking system which can also be inspected and cleaned. Use a socket wrench to remove the bolts holding the caliper in place and wiggle the caliper until free. Find some support for the caliper rather than letting it hang from the brake-hose as this could cause some unwarranted stress on the hose itself.
Step 3
At this point, it would be ideal to check the disk brake for any signs of corrosion or wear. Rust can be easily removed by means of a wire brush. Once removed, you can check the disk brake’s thickness. The reason is that the disk can wear down through extensive use albeit at a slow rate. Use a caliper tool to measure the thickness and compare the results with the numbers on your owner’s manual. If the disk’s thickness is not within limits, the time has come to replace it.
Step 4
Once satisfied that the disk brake is in good working order, it is time to remove the brake pads from the caliper. It is vital to first note the distance between the brake pads. Being dependent on the brake pads’ wear and tear, the current distance set by the caliper’s pistons will prove inadequate to accommodate the new brake pads. Use your hands or a set of pliers to push the brake pads and the pistons inside the caliper. Do not allow pliers to come into contact with the caliper – separate the two with a thin piece of cardboard.
Step 5
Use a hex key to remove the retaining pins on the caliper’s outer edge holding the brake pads in place. You can throw the pads away but make sure you retain their thin metal backing. Unless damaged, they can be utilized again when installing the new brake pads.
Step 6
Now that the caliper is empty, it is time to clean it thoroughly. Use some brake cleaner to remove any grime and brake pad residue inside the caliper and on the pistons. This will ensure the motorcycle’s braking efficiency is not hindered due to an excessive build up of pad residue. Exercise caution during the cleaning process as the pistons can get easily damaged.
Step 7
Once the caliper is clean, you can install the new brake pads. Do not forget to include the thin metal backing from the previous brake pads (or new ones if the latter turn out to be damaged). Set the brake pads inside the caliper and secure them with the retaining pins. Before sliding-in the pins, smear a little copper-grease across their lengths. Do not bother tightening them at this juncture.
Step 8
Now reattach the caliper to the disk brake. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts as it is vital that the caliper is secured tightly in place. Failure to do so could severely impinge on your safety. Once satisfied that the bolts are tight enough, you can tighten the retaining pins so as to secure the brake pads in place as well.
Step 9
Now that the new brake pads are installed, it is time to get them ready for their braking duties. Start pumping the brake lever until the caliper is set in place. At first, there will be little resistance on the lever, but things should return to normal in a short while. Give the new brake pads a little test run to make sure they are working correctly. Once it is evident the new brake pads are working as intended, replace the remaining brake pads by following the same procedure. Note that, to change the rear brake pads, it may be necessary to remove the rear wheel.
Once all brake pads have been changed, your motorcycle is ready to hit the open road once more. The brake pads will require some running-in and should not be over-burdened with their braking duties from the outset. Just like a new engine, they will need some time to get a new facing. Only then will they be able to provide their best performance.
