Back brake

[North]

Hi,

Just rode the 1200 to work. I used the back brake just as I turned in and I heard a rubbing brake pad sound. The bike has 8,000 km on it.

I parked the bike at work and put in on the centre stand. When I turn the back wheel by hand, I can hear the brakes rub.

Is this normal? Are the pads worn out at 8,000 km?


Thanks

 

[Andy Davies]

North

If the caliper pots are sticking, they will not allow the pads to retract. Can you see if there is still friction material on the pads? If so, take them out and clean up the pots. Try and make it part of your normal cleaning routine.

Any where near Port Moody? My wife has a couple of cousins there as well as one in North Van! Great place - we love to visit.

Cheers
Andy

 

[birdseye]

Hi,

Just rode the 1200 to work. I used the back brake just as I turned in and I heard a rubbing brake pad sound. The bike has 8,000 km on it.

I parked the bike at work and put in on the centre stand. When I turn the back wheel by hand, I can hear the brakes rub.

Is this normal? Are the pads worn out at 8,000 km?


Thanks

There is always some slight rubbing from disc brakes - try the front if you doubt me. And if you want to know if your pads are worn out, look at them - they are clearly visible! As are the wear indicators.

 

[North]

North

If the caliper pots are sticking, they will not allow the pads to retract. Can you see if there is still friction material on the pads? If so, take them out and clean up the pots. Try and make it part of your normal cleaning routine.

Any where near Port Moody? My wife has a couple of cousins there as well as one in North Van! Great place - we love to visit.

Cheers
Andy

Thanks Andy,

I used to live in Port Moody years ago, in Surrey now.

Rick

 

[North]

I am still at work. I just went outside to look at the bike. Its night here, but still, I cannot see anything that would cause the sound.

 

[Mouse]

The short answer is YES the pads are very likely worn out after 8,000 kms.

The original BMW pads are made from soft cheese, my first set lasted about 4,000 miles (6,400 km). I replaced them with EBC standard pads which lasted about 20,000 miles.

Note that the pads as supplied are of uneven thickness. So when they're fully worn down you might only see pads on one side of the disc.

Also see here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33729

 

[North]

Thanks Mouse,

I just borrowed a flash light, and the pads are pretty well worn.

8,000 km for brake-pads.

 

[Mouse]

On the positive side, I'm still on the first set of front pads after 27,000 miles

Get some EBCs in the rear, they're half the price of the BMW ones too!

 

[North]

On the positive side, I'm still on the first set of front pads after 27,000 miles

Get some EBCs in the rear, they're half the price of the BMW ones too!

Thanks Mouse,

that's good advice.

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

FWIW, I had the rear disk replaced under warranty at the 6000 mile service as it appeared to be warped. Symptom sounds the same as yours - i.e. 'tight spot'.

Mind you the replacement doesn't sound much better.

Kai

 

[North]

A think that the rotor is fine. Well, I hope it is.

I just brought EBC pads, 43 dollars canadian, compared to 78 for BMW.

 

[North]

Put the new pads on.

Man, the old ones were shot.

Nothing left on one and about a paper thickness left on the other. The wear was even.

When I called the Bike shop up to see if they had the EBC pads. They went on about the sizes always being wrong on them, when they ordered after-market pads in. They really pushed the BMW pads.

I asked them why would I want to buy BMW pads that only last 8,000 km? They then told me that thay had two EBC's in stock for my bike.

Thanks for posting the pictures and the step by step instructions Mouse.
I owe you a beer.

 

[North]

The old pads

 

[JayGee]

The old pads

Ouch!, I would say you got your money's worth out of them but at 8000km I don't think you did. Are you sure they haven't been stuck on or binding, if so maybe it's a warranty issue.
I needed new rear pads at 6000 miles, I put BMW "soft cheese" ones back in but they seem to be lasting a bit longer this time (now at 14000 miles). I suspect that a rear hugger I fitted was stopping the brake releasing properly (now fixed) so it's worth checking the caliper is sliding freely.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

FWIW, I had the rear disk replaced under warranty at the 6000 mile service as it appeared to be warped. Symptom sounds the same as yours - i.e. 'tight spot'.

Mind you the replacement doesn't sound much better.

Kai

Yeah, me too

Andres

 

[North]

Ouch!, I would say you got your money's worth out of them but at 8000km I don't think you did. Are you sure they haven't been stuck on or binding, if so maybe it's a warranty issue.
I needed new rear pads at 6000 miles, I put BMW "soft cheese" ones back in but they seem to be lasting a bit longer this time (now at 14000 miles). I suspect that a rear hugger I fitted was stopping the brake releasing properly (now fixed) so it's worth checking the caliper is sliding freely.

I will bring it up with the Dealer at the 10,000 km check-up.

The caliper seems to working okay.

Thanks.

 

[Mouse]

I have no hugger etc and my recent set of BMW pads (fitted by the dealer while doing some warranty work, I would have fitted EBC) lasted under 4000 miles. It depends a lot on your riding style and the conditions I think - I admit I'm quite heavy on the back brake, and I do a lot of dirt riding which will cause even more wear.

 

[Anikin]

Had to replace rear pads on 10 000 Km (6250 mile) service. BMW technician explained something about the rear pads being very small and with the interlinked braking system these little pads work all the time.

 

[North]

I do use the rear brakes a lot. I guess this comes from being a dirt rider before I was a street rider.

All the pads on the front look like new.