Fitting of new front brake pads, advice please.

[Lonewolf]

There's quite a few brake related threads running on here at the moment, here's one for you. I fitted some new pads to the front yesterday, I put some copper slip on the pad pins but when I took the GTR out for a test ride this morning to bed the pads in I noticed that there was a very slight judder just before you actually come to a halt when I applied the front brakes. Should I put some copper slip on the back of the pads and also on their sides to ease their movement or just on the backs.

I vaguely remember it doing this back in 2011 when I also changed the front pads on the other GTR and I used the copper slip as mentioned above. Is that the right thing to do?

[BigAlan]

I always apply copper slip both to the back of the pads, along the pin and on the pin threads.

Mind you I applied it to all the bolts I could find on the bike including fairing bolts when I had purchased it from new.

Alan

[trousersnake01]

Alan, I also put it on everything. mine is apart so often because of the high mileage its good to know nothing with be seized.

Copper grease is fab stuff, everything near the brakes apart from the linings gets covered in it. Worse thing ever trying to get a bolt out thats been attacked by road salt

[Lonewolf]

I've copper slipped the rear of the pads this evening so hopefully that'll cure the ever so slight chatter. Another test ride tomorrow.

[Boomer]

If it doesn't and if you fitted EBC HH pads, you may need to slightly chamfer the leading edge of each pad.
I used a file on mine and it cured the problem immediately.
Don't forget that the leading edge of the pad is what the disk hits first when moving forwards.

[Lonewolf]

Yes I have used EBC HH pads, (good guess). You filed the actual pad?

[Boomer]

Yes, the friction material so that instead of a sharp edge on the leading edge it is now rounded.
You don't need to take much friction material off.
Once you get the pads out you will see what I mean.



For pads on the RIGHT side of each caliper you need to smooth the right edge as shown on the above image.
For pads on the LEFT side of each caliper you need to smooth the left edge as shown on the above image.

EBC pads are getting cheaper.
Just found a complete front set for £65 delivered on fleabay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-GTR1400-GTR-Set-Sintered-EBC-HH-Front-Brake-Pads-FA417-4HH-/360546369698?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item53f23d00a2

[aljaxon]

are all front pads the same for 08 - 13 models?
some of the pics show square pads and others oblongish ones
I know pics are sometimes wrong on ebay....

[Martin#30]

are all front pads the same for 08 - 13 models?
some of the pics show square pads and others oblongish ones
I know pics are sometimes wrong on ebay....

Yes, pads fit all years, but the OEM Kawasaki pads changed part number pre and post 2010 facelift. Personally, I think the post 2010 OEM pads are the cause of the prematurely worn brake discs - my gut feel is they put a harder, cheaper pad compound in to save money - so if buying OEM, I would recommend buying pads for the 08/09 bikes.

Martin.

[PCPeteUK]

Yes, pads fit all years, but the OEM Kawasaki pads changed part number pre and post 2010 facelift. Personally, I think the post 2010 OEM pads are the cause of the prematurely worn brake discs - my gut feel is they put a harder, cheaper pad compound in to save money - so if buying OEM, I would recommend buying pads for the 08/09 bikes.

Martin.

Hi Martin,
would you know the part number for the 08/09 pads? I will save it to my noticeboard in readiness for my 11 plate 

[Kwikasfuki]

I think they are Part No 430820071

I used to have a GTR once 

[PCPeteUK]

I think they are Part No 430820071

I used to have a GTR once 

Thanks 

[aljaxon]

i need new front pads for my 2010 model and would like some nice soft pads - non sintered to give my discs an easy life
can anyone recommend any?

[shaggs147]

Hi Al,
I know you want non sintered, but just wanted to let you know I bought a full set of Gold Fren from Busters on ebay. They were cheap as chips but thought I'd give them a try. Not fitted the front ones yet, but will do shortly. Fitted the rear ones last year and was really impressed with them - no noise, no judder, they just gave a really good feel through the brake pedal and stopped superbly. No problems with the rear disc as yet.

[Burchy]

I've fitted GoldFren before to my Zx9r, but wasn't impressed with the stopping power.  Went back to EBS