Bedding in Brakes ( How To )

Got a technical query? Found another 0.02bhp? Ask/tell the world.

Moderators: slparry, Gromit, Paul

plivez
Posts: 146
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:40 pm
Location: Essex, UK
Contact:

Bedding in Brakes ( How To )

Post by plivez »

Morning all.
I recently replaced my front brake pads. In the distant past I was told to always bed new pads in by doing something similar to the following:

On a clear straight section of road at about 40mph+ drag your brakes (do the front and rear seperately) as you apply throttle. Keep doing this until you feel the brakes start to fade. You’ll probably smell them about this time too.
Get off the brake, speed up to about 70, and then brake hard again using only that brake. Repeat one more time.
Continue riding without using that brake to allow it to cool.


I told a mate about this and he was horrified. Whose right :?: :?:
User avatar
oyster
Posts: 1236
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 1:03 pm
Location: retirementland kent

Post by oyster »

Yep! I remember that sort of advice. About thirty years ago. It would certainly still apply, but these days no-one bothers. Normal driving/riding now is so demanding on brakes that they will bed in on the first outing. I used to cure brakes that developed a squeal by slamming them on at about 70mph. I suspect it ripped the glaze off and they would usually be alright for the next few months. Brake pad compounds have improved somewhat since then.
Oyster. 1999 R1100S. Almost original.
JoeC
Posts: 540
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 1:50 pm
Location: The Home of Ferodo

Post by JoeC »

My advice really is to take it carefully for a few miles and gradually use the brakes harder each time. Apart from that I beleive that they are ready to go from the box.
No longer a motorcycle owner.
Daz555
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 11:01 am

Post by Daz555 »

Just treat them as you would new tyres. Just go easy until they start to feel a bit better.
r550s
Posts: 570
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:47 pm
Location: Baaarnsley

Post by r550s »

just a ten penneth: go easy until the (new) pad has shaped itself enough to make full contact over the (old) rotor - to avoid localised heating of the disc and possible warping. Sounds good in theory...
'Hinterachsge' translates as 'rear axle'.(Not 'Differential', so f*** off)
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic