Blimey my Brakes are Brilliant!

I knew the pads on my curvy were getting low so I decided to put some new ones on. While I was at it I serviced the callipers - I had already done it at the end of last year but the pistons weren't sliding too smoothly & so I thought why not. Because I'd done it before it only took an afternoon & I did a way better job than last time.

The old pads had Tokico on the back so I'm wondering if they were the original ones? 10 years old??

The difference now with new Kyoto GG pads is incredible!! I'm quite pleased with myself & happy that every change I've made to my bike so far has just made it better & better

Just thought I'd share 'cos I'm quite chuffed. If you don't care heres a pic of a fish so your time wasn't wasted

While I'm at it I may as well ask a question, This is a pic of the back pads last time I took them off. Is it normal for the disc to miss a bit??

[garynortheast]

Glad your brakes are working so well. I've always thought that the SV brakes, properly serviced and working as they should, are very good.

That ridge on the rear pad does suggest that the pad is overhanging the disc for some reason. They certainly shouldn't be like that if the pad is in the correct position. You may be well advised to have a good look at how the pads are sitting in the caliper and how they are aligned with the disc. There should be no friction material hanging over the edge of the disc.

Pads overlapping the disc is a HUGE no no!

The disc should ALWAYS over lap the pads by at least 1mm, think of the disaster that would occur if you're pulling on the lever or pushing the pedal and instead of the pads contacting the disc they're just pushing each other...
Get it looked at ASAP.

I assume you dont have the same issue with the front one?

Originally Posted by Owenski

Pads overlapping the disc is a HUGE no no!

The disc should ALWAYS over lap the pads by at least 1mm, think of the disaster that would occur if you're pulling on the lever or pushing the pedal and instead of the pads contacting the disc they're just pushing each other...
Get it looked at ASAP.

Wow, that hadn't even occurred to me, very good point! I'll get them off tonight & see how the new ones fit compared to the current. This should be interesting, if the new ones are the same size then maybe the disc is smaller than it should be? It's the original disc though... hmmmm we'll see

Originally Posted by Owenski

I assume you dont have the same issue with the front one?

No, front ones are lovely. Maybe I should have titled the thread 'My front brakes are Brilliant, the backs a mess!'

Its a curvy so IIRC its got the rear caliper hung under the swing arm as part of the rear wheel spacer and then supported by a strut to another part of the swinger.
I find it hard to think that any part of that could be the issue, I would ASSUME you've had the wrong size pad fitted previously but only because that makes "more" sense than the alternative (caliper or disc swap).

[flymo]

Originally Posted by Owenski

Pads overlapping the disc is a HUGE no no!

The disc should ALWAYS over lap the pads by at least 1mm, think of the disaster that would occur if you're pulling on the lever or pushing the pedal and instead of the pads contacting the disc they're just pushing each other...
Get it looked at ASAP.

I assume you dont have the same issue with the front one?

+1, and looking at the size of that ridge, that's exactly whats been happening.

Don't forget those front wheel bearings HoL, too much play on yours and need replacing. You should feel improvement form that too.

Originally Posted by flymo

Don't forget those front wheel bearings HoL, too much play on yours and need replacing. You should feel improvement form that too.

I've got the bearings at home, thats next on the list. It's just as well I love my bike, it needs it!

You've got me wondering now... If theres excessive play in the back wheel too then that could cause the pad to be too low as it seems to be. Onto the paddock stand when I get home!!

Na the spindle passes through the spacer tied to the rear caliper, you'd need a few other factors to go wrong before a dodgey bearing caused that.

Does the rear caliper also go on a slider on the inside of the swing arm, or is that just the pointy?