6.5mm can make a drastic difference - Disc wear and pad wear

[BlueDragon]

For those readers who followed my 1400 build and respray blog (Owners Rides).  You would know that I did the 4 pot brake caliper swap and installed a set of Tockico 4 pots from a SV1000 (after fully servicing them), along with braided brake lines, rebuilt master cylinder, new brake pads etc.

Brakes were better, but I still felt that they weren't right. 

Just had too much lever travel for my liking..  it would "click" as normal as I squeezed on the lever, but had too much initial spongy feeling before getting firm well after the click.  Unlike the brakes on my VFR, which were firm just before the click.

No air in the lines..  all checked ok.

I still had the original 6 pots and a while back, I bought a genuine seal kit and some Ferodo sintered brake pads.  As luck would also have it, before Covid hit us, I was in Sydney at a wreckers and he had a box sitting in corner that happened to have a set of Metal Gear discs (front and rear) for the 1400, which I got at a very good price.

As usual, the stuff sat on the shelf and was forgotten about and then remembered and then forgotten about over the next while..

Finally fed up with not having the brakes to my liking..  I serviced up the 6 pots and installed them.  Brakes, still not to my liking, with the original discs and the original pads that were in the 6 pots when I first bought the 1400.  They only had about 1mm wear on the pads on each side..

So, on the weekend I finally got around to fitting up the new metal gear discs and the Ferodo pads..  into the 6pot calipers.

Measuring the old discs, they were at the wear limit of 4.5mm .  Combined with the 1mm wear on each of the pads,,  Total 6.5mm.. when say compared to a new set of brake pads and discs.

Well.  what a difference.

Had to take the top off the brake reservoir to release the pressure built up and take some brake fluid out.  The lever wouldn't move otherwise.

After that,  I got some movement back in the lever and now, the brakes are 100% to what I thought they should be. 

Went for a test ride and the brakes are really nice and powerful and lots of feel. 

no complaints now..

Can very much recommend the Metal Gear discs and Ferodo Sintered pads.. 

Now to service the 4 pots and respray them as spares.. 

[grog]

Thanks for that Bluey. Might solve my prob also, bit of a lag until brakes bite hard. Have done all the usual, bleeding etc, just not as good as have been. I fitted rear Metal Gear rotor with DP pads, beautiful braking now on rear. Ill get onto it, measure discs first, go from there. Thankyou.

[steve porter]

Disc material makes a shit load of difference as well, I fitted the Metal Gear rotors to mine as the original were warped but not worn  and the difference was drastic

[grog]

Steve, drastic means better?

[steve porter]

Steve, drastic means better?

Yep, reminded me of when I swapped from stainless to cast iron on the 851, chalk and cheese, I think OEM stainless is very durable but not very grippy

[GSXKING]

I'd have to agree with the Metalgear discs having more friction. I had one on the rear of my old RT.

My gripe is how utterly useless the people are at Metalgear Brisbane. I'm actually surprised they're still in business. 

[Mick_J]

I found ferodo sintered pads (Don't ask what type) were very, very hard and shagged a set of new EBC disks.  Had to get new disks and (softer) pads within 3 months.

[BlueDragon]

I found ferodo sintered pads (Don't ask what type) were very, very hard and shagged a set of new EBC disks.  Had to get new disks and (softer) pads within 3 months.

I haven't had any problems with the Ferodo pads.

I use the same sintered pads on the front of my VFR800.  Changed the pads not longer after I bought the bike about 3 1/2 years ago.  Was riding through the Oxley nearly every weekend, most times with the wife as pillion for 2 years straight, (before I bought the 1400 - now the wife prefers the 1400 as she says the seat is like an armchair when compared to the VFR). 

VFR is still on the same set of pads and discs.  no issues with wear on the discs at all and I'm not exactly light on braking, trail braking into corners etc.