Poor brakes - pads and lines?

[muzikill]

I did a thread on mine hardest thing is getting the crudy siezed pistons. out. Plenty of us will guide you through it.

[MJC-DEV]

Braided lines will removed any sponginess and improve the feel (assuming no air in system) and FF grade sintered pads will increase stopping power (only on front - see all the other 'what pads do I get?' threads)

I am not going to do anything to rear brakes as I am happy with them, there is also no sponginess at the front at all, they are just not that great.

Guess I will have to buy a bottle of DOT4 again, oh well, would have done it anyway as I will replace the lines. Still don't know what to get though

[Bibio]

do the back while your at it. trust me you don't want to go buying pistons. it will take a novice bast part of a day to do all 3 callipers properly but once done then its half a job the next time.

[mep]

+1 for stripping the caliper. I recently did mine after 2 people remarked on how crap my front brake was. The pistons on 1 caliper took an age to pump out so were hardly working. Needles to say they feel great now. The bike had braised hoses when I bought it so all good there too.

hmm I guess I could do rear just in case as well... thanks chaps

Just sent you a PM about the lines!

[jambo]

If there's no sponginess I'd suggest new lines aren't needed.

If you do want braided lines the name on the side of them makes no real difference

Jambo

Semi-metallic brake pads like to be used hard. If you aren't using them hard, which is common when street riding with bikes like the SV which have lots of engine braking, they start to feel weak and wooden. The cure is to use them hard. They'll come right back.
I had problems with the stock calipers feeling non-linear. I'm pretty sure it was the pins that retain the brake pads. They get notches worn in them where the pads hang on them.

Originally Posted by veenee

thanks Jambo, I changed fluid about two months ago, so I don't think I have to do it again.

but will definitely do some proper cleaning.

still would like to replace the lines - any suggestions there?

Goodridge or Hel. Two top to bottom lines and ditch the splitter. If you don't fancy doing the caliper work yourself somewhere like Powerhouse Automotive will strip, clean, repaint and titivate for about £60 per caliper.

Thanks,

Mark