A few brake queries

[ophic]

Originally Posted by 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!

Do HH or sintered pads require a little more warming up time as well?

I do mostly motorways so every time I use my brakes, they are always stone cold.

hmm thats a good question that may have a bearing on my choice, as I say I'm not aggressive on mine so they are cold too mostly.

[fastdruid]

I found the EBC's needed a bit of warming up before they bit.

Druid

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by ophic

Do HH or sintered pads require a little more warming up time as well?

I do mostly motorways so every time I use my brakes, they are always stone cold.

Yeah, that's what I'd been told.

I use HH's and after a complete service of the front brakes on the curvy the stopping was amazing.

I like ophics if it ain't broke attitude, but if you are going to be doing them; if I was you I'd get the stainless hoses. They're about £45 - £55 with s/s fittings IIRC.
As to whether you need to service the calipers; I think a few members routinely do it a few times a year tbh I do it when somethings up (probably not the best approach). First one was a bit daunting but all good once you have a reasonable idea what you're doing. Anyway if you think the brakes are ok; when you change the pads you want to check the piston movement, make sure they aren't seized (also check your pads haven't worn grossly unevenly). I do this by (this is disputable wait until someone clever comes along with a better method!) leaving the old pads I'm about to bin in the caliper and putting a big flathead screw driver between the pads and push the pads back to make sure the pistons can move ok. If they are seized solid or your seals are in a mess/jammed/half out whatever it may be time for a service. (checking the pads and piston movement is one of your servicing points btw).
For brake maintenance you need brakefluid, brake/carb cleaner and copper grease mainly. For the service you'll also need red rubber grease and a big bottle of fluid and ideally replacement seals.

[Dave20046]

Right my turn for a question for the clever lot:

My brake seals need doing: Is it worth parting with near £50 for the complete kit (including bleed nip covers & sliding pin rubbers) or would just the £20 for the piston seals & dust seals suffice? Previously I've just gone with the latter, wondering if I was correct.

Unless the other rubbers are crackered then just get the £20 piston seal kit

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by 7755matt

Unless the other rubbers are crackered then just get the £20 piston seal kit

Cool - ta matt

Where can you get just the piston seal kit?

My bike is only 2 years old as well but I think it might give the brakes a clean as I intend to commute through winter

Originally Posted by Son of a beesting

Where can you get just the piston seal kit?

My bike is only 2 years old as well but I think it might give the brakes a clean as I intend to commute through winter

try wemoto?

a brake overhaul before winter is a great idea. Get some red rubber lubricant for the pistons and remember the neverseize / copper slip for the pins, backs of pads and bolts!

[yorkie_chris]

You don't need a seal kit (unless they're leaking), you can service them without replacing seals.