A few brake queries

OK given my recent success changing the pads on the back I'm considering refreshing the brake fluid myself and doing the pads on the front.

my questions are:

• I'm considering EBC HH pads, are they worthwhile or overkill?
• I'd considered braided hoses but they definitely seem overkill on a 2 yr old bike. but I'm open to suggestions to the contrary.
• If HH pads are OK is the busters price of £48 for the pair about right? seems OK to me just checking while I'm asking other questions really.
• Caliper rebuild, it should/might be OK after just 2 years shouldn't it? but what should I be looking for to give indications it needs doing?

Non brake questions:
The bike hasn't been dealer serviced since 4k, I've replaced the oil and filter when necessary and am about to do so again, I need to look up a few things like throttle cable adjustment but my only concerns are the bearings and any engine checking,

• is it just the valves that need looking at on the pointy?

I will take it for a mechanic to have a look at those as its by far the minority of work now, I do most myself it seems.

Re the bearings, it seems like a lot of hassle to grease the bearings (as YC put it, grease doesn't come as standard on SVs )

• given that its going to a garage for the engine checking is it a trivial thing for a mechanic to do or is it time intensive?

OK this post looks a complete mess now but I've tried to make the questions clear, any and all feedback much appreciated as always, I've been meaning to take it to a garage for ages but some helpful person from here always convinces me I can do things myself and so far its worked and been fine, I'm very impressed so hopefully I've got it down to just dropping off every now and again for the valves checking.

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Brettus

The bike hasn't been dealer serviced since 4k

What's the current mileage on it?

Currently 19k, its overdue the valves checking but I think the main stuff I've been doing.

are you in the malpas im thinking of?

i could help you with brakes and valves if you get stuck

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Brettus

OK given my recent success changing the pads on the back I'm considering refreshing the brake fluid myself and doing the pads on the front.

ok is there a reason for this? Are you unhappy with the braking performance?

If it stops ok i'd just change the pads. Bear in mind that aggressive HH pads can eat discs quicker.

I would say that brake hoses are probably fine and shouldn't need changing yet - same with fluid. However if your brakes are rubbish and you're going to overhaul the calipers and change fluid anyway then fitting braided hoses at the same time makes sense.

[yorkie_chris]

Greasing bearings is fairly time consuming, but worth it in the long run.

Originally Posted by stoppy!

are you in the malpas im thinking of?

i could help you with brakes and valves if you get stuck

Unfortunately I think not, Malpas, Cheshire. Thanks for the offer though!

Originally Posted by ophic

ok is there a reason for this? Are you unhappy with the braking performance?

If it stops ok i'd just change the pads. Bear in mind that aggressive HH pads can eat discs quicker.

I would say that brake hoses are probably fine and shouldn't need changing yet - same with fluid. However if your brakes are rubbish and you're going to overhaul the calipers and change fluid anyway then fitting braided hoses at the same time makes sense.

Reason for fluid refresh is just because the manual says replace every two years, doesn't seem to be too big of a deal now it has been explained to me. The HH pads, I just wondered if they were better to be honest, I didn't have a problem with the D220s until I swapped to PR2's so my inexperience may well mask some problems (if any exist) but trying the other pads isn't much of a budgetary leap so hence why I was considering. but thats the total sum of logic behind it, not an essential that I feel I need by any stretch.

[yorkie_chris]

Pads are a taste thing, and the thing about them knackering discs is in dispute too.

Perhaps "my brakes were shagged, so I fitted HH rather than service them" comes in to it!

I figure even if they are more abrasive on the discs, I don't ride that hard, I'm not aggressive on the brakes, I engine brake most of the time and try to ride smoothly, so I suspect I'm not going to wear them that quickly. Just thought I'd try them.

[yorkie_chris]

The biggest difference is they have more initial bite than OEM. It is a preference thing, I liked them in stock calipers.