Let's talk about brakes!

[FirstGS500E]

Yo guys,

I had alittle mishap that involved oil spraying all over my rear wheel, tire and brakes. Cleaned it all up but my rear brakes are still pretty worthless now. I figure, since I haven't replaced the brakes since I bought it, (had it a bout 4-5 months now) I'll go ahead and get new ones all the way around. So, I prefer to have the absolute best ones that aren't rediculously expensive. The rears on there now do produce a lot of dust so I'd like some that aren't so "dirty". What are y'all's suggestion?

Thanks!


((((((Best 500 bucks I ever spent. '93 gs500e w/ 4k miles))))))

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[Janx101]

I think the normal 'go to' replacement pads are HH rated ones, brand you can choose to suit your budget.

Just get normal 'looking' pads with the HH rating. .. the super dooper 'available in many colours' thing isn't always what it's made out to be! (Yes I know/think? that they haven't done colored pads yet... but there's always a chance!) Lol

[gsJack]

Read the Wiki section on brake pads first.  The later F model GSs came from the factory with HH rated front pads and FF rated rear pads. 

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.BrakePads

I had EBC standard organic pads on my 97 GS  and during spirited riding in the mountains 10 years ago I turned the front rotor blue twice completely fading it out once.  I wouldn't suggest less than HH friction rated pads on the front for any kind of spirited riding on a GS of any model year.

The strong rear brake can easily lock in emergency braking situations and cause a low side drop of the bike so unless you have a very good feel for it don't use the HH pads on the rear until you get some experience with it.

Any good brand pads like EBC, there are many others too, and go with the HH front and FF or GG rear for now.

Put some late model low mileage calipers and pads on my 100k mile GS last year and they were equipped from the factory with Tokico HH front and SBS FF rear pads.  The fronts are very good but the rear are a bit weak for my liking so I'd go with at least GG pads when I replace them.  I have in the past run a couple sets of HH rears but don't need them anymore.

[FirstGS500E]

So, I did purchase the brakes and went with the EBC HH for front and rear. Wanted to get the lower rated for the rear as suggested by GSjack , but they didn't carry them. So, I'll take it easy and get a good feel for them before any spirited riding. I'd like to replace the existing fluid with new because who knows how long the fluid in there has been. Any good vids on brake system flush y'all know of. Thanks

Went ahead and finished the painting of my exhaust project while I was cleaning up my oil mess

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[GS500Schultz]

get this! Trust me it makes the job about 10 minutes instead of what can be a few hours if you get stubborn air bubbles Like i had to deal with

http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

[FirstGS500E]

Finished up and took a ride. Wow! I dig my new stoppers! The job toll about 40 minutes and I had a tube to route excess old fluid to a Tupperware. Time includes a good inspection and cleaning of all compenents. Thanks for the vids y'all got on here! Now, I just need to find a chick that rides and works on bikes too!!

Thanks again,

-E
Cbus, Ohio

[ShowBizWolf]

That is a really neat looking GS!  I like the windscreen and that little storage space on the back... the graphics are cool too!!  I always did like those ones 

[FirstGS500E]

Thanks showbizwolf! I'm actually gonna delete the purple stickers when I get some time. I'm just not a purple stripe kinda guy. The little box on the back is actually a masterlock box I got at target for twenty bucks. Got it because it has a cable lock made for locking it to a desk etc.. but I use the cable for my helmet lock. The small storage is handy for wallet, keys and such for quick trips too. Way better than the $35+ helmet locks I see at the cycle stores. 

-E

[ShowBizWolf]

Ohhh that sounds like an awesome idea... the helmet lock.  There have been times I had stuff strapped to my seat with one of those stretchy net things and wanted to use the factory helmet hangers (didn't want to carry my helmet into a store or whatever) and what a pain to take the net off just to get the seat off!!!

[lucas]

I think I might have found that box on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005K6JQXQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1415678885&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40

[FirstGS500E]

Yep, that's it! It's a good purchase.