View Full Version : Poor pointy brakes
I'm sure my brakes aren't as good now as they used to be. They feel like they haven't got the same bite.
I got the bike (K4) with less than a thousand miles, like new. Now done about 5.5k.
I checked the pads and all 4 appear to have worn evenly, and pistons seem fairly free. No corrosion and all is clean. Plenty of meat left on them.
I've just changed the brake fluid but no difference. Has standard lines, and I know they are meant to be changed every 4 years, but its not spongy, its missing some bite and power. Do you think they're worth changing?
There's a chance that a very small amount of ACF50 got on the pads, but I dont think it did.
Are the standard pads thought of highly?
Any thoughts?
It could be that I've just got used to them though, and am now riding the bike harder.
acf brakes waaaahey that's gonna be interesting if you have cant remember what standard pads are in the sv got ebc's hh in mine and as far as pointy brakes go there fine not the best brakes but adequate for the bike.
Alpinestarhero
10-03-09, 07:13 PM
When were the brakes last serviced? If its been ages, do it anyway. The pistons may move, but they could be better...
Also, try cleaning the discs to get rid of any surface contaminent. Like that ACF50...
kwak zzr
10-03-09, 07:21 PM
yep id say contaminated pads.
When were the brakes last serviced? If its been ages, do it anyway. The pistons may move, but they could be better...
Also, try cleaning the discs to get rid of any surface contaminent. Like that ACF50...
what the best thing to clean brake disks with ?
Cheers
kwak zzr
10-03-09, 08:39 PM
brake cleaner? soapy water?
Whats the procedure for servicing the brakes? Are we talking stripping the calipers down?
In my last service they greased the back of the pads and the pins.
Alpinestarhero
10-03-09, 08:41 PM
I;d go with brake cleaner :D Wurth do some stuff. Although soapy warm water wont be bad for it either, but deicated brake cleaner will be able to clean away specific dirt (brake pad type dirt) better, I assume. And cause less corrosion..?
Nobbylad
10-03-09, 08:50 PM
Maybe you're just riding faster as you become more familiar with the bike and therefore taking longer/more effort to stop!
;)
kwak zzr
10-03-09, 09:01 PM
Maybe you're just riding faster as you become more familiar with the bike and therefore taking longer/more effort to stop!
;)
some truth in that, as you get used to your machine it does feel more docile.
pencil shavings
10-03-09, 09:10 PM
my brakes are going the same way. I cleaned them a little while ago because they were binding, and they just feel weak now. I dont know whats up!
Nobbylad
10-03-09, 10:07 PM
some truth in that, as you get used to your machine it does feel more docile.
Yup....I'll be (hopefully) getting back on my SV on Sunday after it's MOT on Saturday. I fully expect to be 'surprised' at how quick it is again after a month off.
gettin2dizzy
10-03-09, 10:23 PM
Bleed them. It makes a world of difference.
Bleed them. It makes a world of difference.
Did last night. No difference.
northwind
11-03-09, 12:22 AM
Nothing much wrong with the standard brakes, when they work. But most oily contaminants will burn off with use. I'd drop the pads out, nuke the site from orbit with brake cleaner, and give them a rub with a clean scotchbrite pad (you're not supposed to do this, because brake dust is evil, just try not to breathe it).
Have you tried the tieing the lever back toward the handle bar overnight trick and then giving the brakes another bleed.
Edit; I found changing to HH rated pads from the standard suzuki ones provided a little more bite.
Mine are rubbish too. Miss Ophic's GZ125 has a better front brake. Gonna give them a service when we get some dry weather.
AndyBrad
11-03-09, 06:30 PM
mine are pretty poo as well (curvy tho) but i can pump them up which suggests air in the system. however ive bled them 3 times now. However firt time the brake fluid was RED! wonder if the red rubber grease has contaminated something?
mcireland
11-03-09, 09:20 PM
Bled mine twice a few months back, got the front ones fairly solid (nearly flipped over the screen the first stop :rolleyes:) back ones were mushy so a dealer did it for me just after when i was in for a chat, sound man, that did the job for a while but now both seem to be gone mushy again....
Reckon ill get braided lines anyway but could it be because the lines are so worn?? Its a K3, doubt they were changed before I bought it last year.
Sorted now.
I took the pads out, stuck them in the oven for an hour on as hot as it will go.
Cleaned them and the disks up with brake cleaner.
Noticed that each piston came out at much different speeds, so took them all out, clenaed and lubed. Bled it all up.
Now has the bit of missing bite.
pencil shavings
16-03-09, 01:07 AM
what does sticking the pads in the oven do? cheers
Helps burn off whatever had contaminated them.
Worked a treat on some MTB disk brakes, so I hoped it would do the same on the SV.
Its obviously harder to get good heat into the MTB brakes so may not be as affective on the SV where it is easier to get them really hot on the bike. But it can't hurt.
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