[Pleasegivesoap]

01 CBR600F4i, pads still have this season's life left in them give or take a few weeks (Degs' opinion).

Thing's been running great - only thing is, I'm concerned about either the pads or rotors, tell me what you think:

When I'm braking, smoothly, everything's fine and feel's fine until I start to brake hard once the weight's up front; towards the end of the line, say 10-15 ft before a complete stop (@5-15mph), the brake application is choppy, almost as if my rotor(s) were warped or something. It's not intense, but is definitely there.

So basically, if my two fingers on the right hand are applying even, smooth pressure from say 30mph, when the bike's slowed enough (5-10 mph say), it's like there's a dip in the rotor, so that the bike slows unevenly, so the pads apply even pressure, except for say, 1/5th or 1/4th of the rotor, where it gives a bit more.

Does that make sense? The ride isn't compromised, I'm just worried that if I were in a situation that required really hard braking, the uneven part would cause the front to lock up, or something along those lines.

Any ideas/suggestions? The braking should be smooth the entire ways right, up until you're stopped?

frustrated...

[stoinkythepig]

You may have warped rotors, but it might be something as simple as glazed pads or disc contamination. Remove the pads to scuff them with a little sandpaper and clean the rotors with brakleen. Failing that, measure the runout with a dial indicator and bend the rotors back into shape with an adjustable wrench, if needed. If you want to try new pads, Vesrah pads are excellent and reasonably priced.

[Pleasegivesoap]

how would I know they are contaminated? Wiping my finger across a rotor definitely leaves my finger tip black.

Also, (stupid question), I don't need a front stand to throw in new brake pads, correct?

thanks

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by Pleasegivesoap

how would I know they are contaminated? Wiping my finger across a rotor definitely leaves my finger tip black.

Also, (stupid question), I don't need a front stand to throw in new brake pads, correct?

thanks

you might want someone to show you how to do it if you are asking these questions...

no you dont need a stand

[Pleasegivesoap]

Degs has shown me, just thought I remember him saying something about bike positioning - I'm overly cautious when it comes to bike maintenance

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by Pleasegivesoap

Degs has shown me, just thought I remember him saying something about bike positioning - I'm overly cautious when it comes to bike maintenance

That's cool - not making fun, i'm learning as i go too

remember to pump the brakes when ur done

[stoinkythepig]

You have to just guess they are contaminated and clean them. Brakleen is cheap enough and the work is easy.

No stand needed.

[Pleasegivesoap]

Originally Posted by Crash Dummy Denno

That's cool - not making fun, i'm learning as i go too

remember to pump the brakes when ur done

So as soon as the caliper's off, I squeeze the front brake medium-hard, or super-hard? I can never remember

[stoinkythepig]

Originally Posted by Pleasegivesoap

So as soon as the caliper's off, I squeeze the front brake medium-hard, or super-hard? I can never remember

Super duper hard, at least 10 times.

[akira700]

no these guys are shittin ya.
Don't pump the lever with the caliper off.
It'll make it very hard to get the caliper back on.

I'd buy the Honda Factory Service Manual.
You can learn ALOT from that.

-Akira

[stoinkythepig]

Methinks he was shittin us

[Pleasegivesoap]

Ok, so I've pumped the brakes hard half way through - mustard can substitute for brakleen right?

[stoinkythepig]

Originally Posted by Pleasegivesoap

Ok, so I've pumped the brakes hard half way through - mustard can substitute for brakleen right?

Only Nancee's (or is it Nancy's??) Sharp and Creamy (and it's the best for pasta salad as well).