Brake pad depth/thickness?

[G]

I may be asking a stupid question here... How thick are new pads generally?

I'm trying to establish whether mine need doing. I've read if there is less than 3mm then they need to be replaced. Mine are probably about this but that groove you get is still visible.

I am getting new Tyres fitted tomorrow and I'm tempted just to get the pads changed at the same time but don't want to prematurely.

I'm rubbish

[Stu]

I wouldn't change yet, think they only come with 5 - 6mm. Should be good down to 1 mm

[G]

Do they degrade with age? They are probably 5 years old now, 3 of which were sat doing nothing.

I have a strange braking problem too that I was hoping new pads may get rid of, they look a bit crumbly around the edges?

I don't know what is and isn't normal which is half the problem.

[G]

Just been doing some more Reading and I thinking the crumbling of the pads and judder at low speeds after very hard braking may be due to glazed pads?

Thinking back the problem only started after a trackday at rockingham so I may have over heated the standard non sintered pads?

Somebody correct me if I am wrong but is the groove not the wear indicator? If you can still see the groove the pads are still within the legal limit. Groove being there so you can easily see without having to take the calipers off and measure?

[G]

There is a very magrinal groove, my problem is I dont know how long that groove started, there is probably 1mm of groove left.

I'll be doing around 800 miles in wales in 2 weeks and dont want them running out or ruining the trip. But I'm not experience enough in dealing with/changing brakes to really know what to expect from them.

I guess the answer may well be to ask the mechanic doing the tyres but I lack trust in getting an honest asnwer from someone who is trying to make money out of me

My braking issue bothers me too...

When I brake hard from high speed the brakes feel great and stops me fine... but when I release the lever gently after braking at maybe 10mph or less I get a substantial judder/knocking, only sometimes through the front of the bike, not the lever.

It seriously bugger your confidence in the front brakes and part of it make me wonder if its what caused me to come off at Mallory when braking in a straight line.

Could this be glazed pads like searches on google are suggesting, it would explain the juddering and crumbling of the pads? so worth just changing the pads anyway.

They are standard organic pads by the way, so more likely to glaze with hard track use?

[Red Herring]

Given the relative low cost of pads and the planned journey I'd change the pads just for peace of mind. There's still some life in them so don't bin them, keep them as spares. Whilst at it check the discs haven't warped by spinning the front wheel and seeing if they "wander" and that the calipers and pistons move freely.

I have about 3mm of pads and about 2mm of groove. They are the OEM pads and I've done 22,000 miles. I thought they were low when I had the bike apart comparing them to car pads, and I ordered new pads. When they arrived and they only had 5mm on brand new, I realised mine were only half worn and left them on the bike, the new pads are now in a a drawer in the garage waiting until I've done another 22k!

If you can still see a mm of wear indicator, your not going to need new ones because of a trip to Wales.

G am i right in thinking you own a CBR600RR?

Have you got standard pads or aftermarket pads?

Sorry if you have said but i missed it

[G]

Originally Posted by Holdup

G am i right in thinking you own a CBR600RR?

Have you got standard pads or aftermarket pads?

Sorry if you have said but i missed it

They are standard OEM pads, I think that makes them organic rather than sintered?

I have just been told I am mental for considering changing either Tyres or brakes just to put another spanner in the works.

I am thinking sod it right now I'll cope with occasional randomness from the brakes and slightly less grippy Tyres for Wales lol.