Standard HM Brake fade?

[tim944s]

Hi everyone.

Been keeping an eye on the forum for awhile but I haven't really posted much. I recently became an owner of an 08 HM Standard. I absolutley love this bike. So therefore, I have been taking out to the track now. My question is about brake fade. I have found during some hard braking that I don't have the confidence in my brakes as they feel as though there is slight fade in the feel. I only find this occurs when I begin to up the pace and try and break deeper. Any suggestions? Some of the fellow track guys think new pads with a slightly diferent compound are in order.

[georound]

You could also try better brake fluid....I use and light Motul DOT 5.1
I haven't put it in my HM yet, but will sometime in the future. 5.1 has a much higher boiling point than DOT3. There are lots of aftermarket pads, all with different characteristics as far as initial bite and linear feel. I've used EBC green pads in most bikes.

[happyfunjuice]

+1 on the Motul fluid.

Don't be offended, but did you bleed them?

[tim944s]

I haven't bled the brakes at all. I don't think it is a fluid issue as there is plenty of pressure in the lever. It seems to be inconsistency in the brake feel. When I get harder on the brakes, it doesn't feel like the bike is stopping quicker the harder you pull. There is lots of pressure, but not as much bite or stopping power that you would expect. Anybody running a different compound for pads that isn't too aggresive on the rotors but offers better bite and heat dissipation?

[Lumpy Idol]

Originally Posted by tim944s

I haven't bled the brakes at all.

[happyfunjuice]

You can certainly start by flushing and replacing the fluid in the system. If the fluid gets hot enough it boils, and if it's contaminated with water it will boil at a lower temp. What you're describing sounds like the fluid is producing some gas when it's getting hot - which means it's probably contaminated.

Since you're bringing the bike to the track, you should also take this opportunity to drill and safety wire your caliper mounting bolts, banjo bolts and master cylinder banjo bolt. You'll need to take the bolts out to do this and you'll need new crush washers for the banjo bolts when you put it all back together. Get some help from someone more experienced with that kind of stuff if you're not comfortable with it.

The track is tough on things like brakes, so check that the pads are in spec and replace anything that's marginal before you go to the track. It's important that you keep an eye on stuff like this - for your safety and for others' safety at least.

[tim944s]

Thanks for the input. I am certain it isn't a fluid issue and I am familiar with brake fluid boiling. Usually with this you with have a significant loss in pressure in the lever when the fluid comes up to high temp. When the fluid cools, typically you will regain pressure in the lever again. I will however check my pads, as they might be glazed. I bought the bike with 1200 kms already on it, and the pads might not have been broken in properly. There have been a few instances while street riding when I come to a stop and there is slight squeel from the front end.

[georound]

You'll want to scuff the rotors too. Bead blasting is best, but the rotors might have a bunch of pad material on them.

[freezer16801]

if you can find vesrah pads for our bike, go with those. They work great on my track bike and last a long time. I put over 30 track days on a set of vesrah pads. I also agree about the motul but I've used the RF600 with good success. It seemed to me that it would take much more braking to cause them to fade with the RF600 in there as compared to DOT 4.

[frique]

The stock Brembo pads aren`t that great. Swap them out. I went with the carbone lorraine`s sintered. AWESOME bite and much better over all feel. I`ve heard good things about the vesrah`s also..