Brake pads- overheating, still usable?

[Ionatan]

So guys, as I was driving the other day on the motorway my bike wouldn't accelerate so I pulled over and smoke was coming from the brake caliper, the plastic partially melted, and I could see the disk and brake pads were extremely hot. Now my back brake almost doesn't work, I'll add some brake fluid, but I was wondering do I need to change them??

Thanks.

[crzydood17]

i would replace them and maybe the caliper... if they were stuck the caliper is probably messed up pretty bad... also the rubber seal in the caliper might be melted... have fun.

[adidasguy]

Eliminate all problems: go to ebay and buy nearly new rear calipers and even master cylinder from pinwall cycles. Total cost about $25 and probably from a bike with less than 1000 miles on it.

Instead of rebuilding calipers or replacing pads on my 1992 and 1994, I just buy nearly new ones from a 2008 or 2009 from those guys and drop them on, add fluid, bleed them and its like new. You could probably get the rotor from the same bike so the pads and rotor are already worn in together. Though, with so few miles, rotors I've got from them are like brand new.

Don't know where you are - you don't have a location in your profile (I wish people would remember to do that - we could point them to better sources for parts if we knew where they were) I guess not in the US because you use KM and say "motorway" so that could be Canada or Europe. There are good bike breakers everywhere. I have found pinwall to be very reputable, inexpensive and they clearly describe the parts. Here is a link for parts from pinwall:

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/pinwall_cycle_parts/m.html?_nkw=gs500+brake&_sacat=&_odkw=&_osacat=0&bkBtn=&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313

[Ionatan]

I thought I have my location, i have to check that. I live in Denmark, so eBay it's not an option. I know my whole brake caliper has problems, it had since I bought it, my back wheel was always a little hard to spin.

[Ionatan]

I'll actually try and order it from eBay I can see they ship worldwide. here only the brake pads cost me 36$. I have a '92 GS. Do any brake calipers fit? Do I also have to change the disk? It looks fine.

[adidasguy]

All rear brakes are the same.
Front brakes are all COMPATIBLE even though they did make a change to them (I've dropped the 2009 front brakes on my 1992 - simple swap, though they changed the pads and piston diameters and the bleeder is a different thread size) What I mean is that they did change it a little but is a direct swap.
Since you've had problems with your rear, I suggest you change the rotor, too. At about $24 for a used OEM rotor from them, its your best option just to be sure all is OK. Your problem could be that your old rotor is bent so it wore out your pads and damaged your calipers. Best to replace everything just to be sure all is OK.

FYI: All rotors from all years are compatible. Get a good OEM with as few miles as possible - less than 4000 miles. 1000 or less is possible. Look closely at photos for scratches and rust. That's one reason I like Pinwall - good photos, mileage of bike listed and any defects are clearly shown. I've never been surprised buying from them other than getting better parts than I expected. I've bought from others, with good results but these guys are the best in my opinion.

Pinwall does ship international. They combine shipping, too. So while you're at it, why not spread out the shipping and buy spare front calipers, rotor and other things you might need. Probably new rear calipers (and they show you a close up of the condition of the pads! Right click on the thumbnail and do VIEW IMAGE), rotor, front calipers, rotor and new rear master cylinder would be less than $100 then add on combined shipping of probably $50. They accept Paypal. This might be your best option to get all the parts replaced with newer, good quality parts.

FYI: Priority mail international flat rate box up to 20 pounds is a little under $60. All the rear parts should be under 20 pounds and maybe some room for some spare front parts to fill up 20 pounds.

There are bike breakers in the UK (avoid Landmark Bikes - had problems with them) that might be a good source for parts. The GS500 is also popular in Germany so try ebay.co.uk and ebay.de

PS: Did a quick search of ebay.co.uk for gs500 rear brake. Nothing nearly as good as Pinwall. And even crappy rear calipers were like 35gpb verses $14.95 so more than double the price for old junk parts. Anyone on the GS board a flight attendant or pilot going to Denmark?


If they fit in a medium box, it is about $10 cheaper:
http://ircalc.usps.gov/Default.aspx?country=10087&m=13&p=0&o=1&mt=11

Another FYI: This company has parts and I've had good luck. Bought rotors and calipers from a bike with only 244 miles.
http://stores.ebay.com/powersportsnation_W0QQLHQ5fSellerWithStoreZ1QQ_sasiZ1QQ_sidZ134661409?LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=gs500

[Mauricio]

Another FYI... the OEM brakes on the 500F are by Spanish company AJP, an exact copy of the Japanese calipers in many Japanese bikes. They are a parts bin bit, you may find a better built Japanese caliper that works.

[burning1]

It sounds like you were either resting your foot on the brake lever, or something in the brake system is sticking, or jammed. Could be a lot of problems, but you do need to identify the source; otherwise you're going to ruin any new parts you throw at the bike. I'd inspect to see if the master cylinder, or pistons are sticking. Check that the brake system hasn't been overfilled. Etc.

If you overheated the brakes so badly that they were smoking, you certainly need new pads, and may also need a new brake rotor.

As Addidasguy mentions, you may just want to replace the whole damn system rather than spending the time and energy rebuilding it.