Hello and goodmorning. I have a 2007 Gs500f with about 6,500 miles on it now. The brakes seem to not stop as well as they used to now. I checked the pads and they still have pad left, I checked the brake fluid and it's full.
I haven't changed the brakes or brake fluid since I purchased it new in 2008.
Any ideas?
And can you all recommend some good brake pads to buy because it will need it sooner or later!
I'll await your response!
have you checked the brake cables yet?
Quote from: annguyen1981 on July 18, 2009, 08:44:31 AM
have you checked the brake cables yet?
What should I be looking for exactly? It's not leaking or anything.
They could be expanding when you brake, or moving in some wierd way that stops them from providing enough fluid. To be honest, I would change the brake pads. Eliminate the variables till you single out the problem. Just my opinion though, but I know that money is always tight right now so it might not be the best way to go.
it could be an air bubble in ur brake line, id say try bleeding ur brakes, cause what you will find is it wont be as powerful, you will find it slightly soggy for lack of other words.
Quote from: platinum_black on July 18, 2009, 09:15:15 AM
it could be an air bubble in ur brake line, id say try bleeding ur brakes, cause what you will find is it wont be as powerful, you will find it slightly soggy for lack of other words.
True, forgot about saying that. Good call sir. :thumb:
Quote from: platinum_black on July 18, 2009, 09:15:15 AM
it could be an air bubble in ur brake line, id say try bleeding ur brakes, cause what you will find is it wont be as powerful, you will find it slightly soggy for lack of other words.
Yeah that is exactly how it feels...Like I pull the lever and it doesn't really take effect... I will bleed my brakes!
Can anyone recommend some good brake pads? I'll replace them also, should run me about $70?
to bleed your brakes, do it the easy way...just open the bleed screw and let the fluid dribble out, top up the resivoir as it gets low, which it does frequently.. three or four resivoirs and the brake is good as new.
and where the heck are the brake cables on this bike?
Quote from: Dr.Sparkie on July 18, 2009, 10:19:20 AM
to bleed your brakes, do it the easy way...just open the bleed screw and let the fluid dribble out, top up the resivoir as it gets low, which it does frequently.. three or four resivoirs and the brake is good as new.
and where the heck are the brake cables on this bike?
Thanks... Luckily my brother did his brakes recently and has everything to bleed them. I don't know exactly where they are haven't looked yet...
And still...does anyone have any recommendations on brake pads so i don't buy the wrong thing and have to make a new thread....
thanks for the replies!
Brake cables? We have brake lines on the GS..... :icon_mrgreen:
Try SBS or EBC pads from Dennis Kirk.
A good set of EBC HH brake pads will help with brake strength, I'll probably also replace my rears with HH just to reduce the pedal effort. But most people don't reccomend such a grabby pad for the rear, I don't mind it. Though at the rate my rears are wearing I'd probably wear my engine out before going through the rear pads.
Update:
I bled the front brakes and they feel a lot better!!! The stuff that came out was the color of mustard brown.
My brother says my brake pads will be needing replacement in about 3 months.
Oh and if anyone asks why i didn't do the back brake?...I don't use the back brake for stopping really. It squeeks like crazy and is annoying. It's only good when I'm on a hill and don't want to roll back.
ps: Also one time I locked the rear up and it scared the hell out of me.
Will these work???
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=199447&store=&catId=&productId=p195389&leafCatId=&mmyId=
thses should do the trick for you.
https://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/parts-accessories/ebc-front-brake-pads-gs500-gs500e-gs500f.html (https://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/parts-accessories/ebc-front-brake-pads-gs500-gs500e-gs500f.html)
Quote from: platinum_black on July 18, 2009, 02:03:47 PM
thses should do the trick for you.
https://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/parts-accessories/ebc-front-brake-pads-gs500-gs500e-gs500f.html (https://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/parts-accessories/ebc-front-brake-pads-gs500-gs500e-gs500f.html)
GS500 EBC FRONT BRAKE PADS
1989-1995 GS500E
1996-2002 GS500E
2004-2006 GS500F
[Additional Product Information]
EBC FRONT BRAKE PADS
1989-1995 GS500E - #FA129HH
1996-2002 GS500E - #FA231HH
2004-2006 GS500F - #FA231HH
I have a 2007...will it work?
This is the one I found:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=194844&store=Main&catId=&productId=p195389&leafCatId=&mmyId=8200068
Learn to use that back brake... Granted it only provides around 30% of the stopping power, but 100% is better than 70%.
Quote from: annguyen1981 on July 18, 2009, 02:23:17 PM
Learn to use that back brake... Granted it only provides around 30% of the stopping power, but 100% is better than 70%.
Yeah I knew I would be criticized for that, I use it sometimes when I need to brake hard, I just try not to use it that much because of the lock up I had that almost sent me to the graveyard.
Still looking for a response so I can order these pads and install them!!!
2004+ brakes should work on your bike. Also, I believe scottpA_GS will give GSTwin members a discount on some parts through his shop. You might want to look into contacting him to see what he has available.
My 05 had factory brakes on it until the KatFE, they did okay IMO.
70/30? On a car maybe, but on a motorcycle under hard braking your back tire will leave the ground. Offering 0% braking. But it is safer braking since you can jam on the back brakes and even if you lock up you can maintain control of the bike. As far as squeaking goes mine did too, so I rode for close to 5000 miles of daily commutes and used pretty much only back brakes untill they wore in and now they don't squeak anymore, though I hardly ever use them now that they're broken in and don't squeak.
If the rear brakes are squeaking take a look at the disc. Does it show blueing due to hard braking? You could use some emory cloth, maybe 80grit and some brake cleaner. Wet the emory cloth with brake cleaner and get the glazing,blueing out as much as possible on both sides of the disc. Also take the pads out and spray them down with cleaner too.
Good luck.
I was told by a mechanic to spray my back brakes with some brake cleaner. I never did it stupidly. No blue color or anything..I never used it really. I think the the reason it squeeks is because of me not using it. Anyhow I ordered my brake pads:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=194844&store=Main&catId=&productId=p195389&leafCatId=&mmyId=8200068
EBC HH pads are the shizz.
Bleed your brakes no less frequently than once a year. Brake fluid is hygroscopic.
Hi there,
If your brake fluid was as dirty in color as you describe it, then you should replace the fluid in both brakes.
Why?
Because brake fluid over time holds water and rust that forms inside the brake parts due to moisture held within the fluid.
Every two years, you should flush both brakes with new fluid until it runs clear out of the brake bleeders. Bleed the brakes until the fluid runs low in the master cylinders. Top up the fluid, bleed again and repeat until the fluid looks CLEAN coming out of the bleeders. Voila. Final bleed and you are done. The brakes should feel great at that point.
I use EBS pads and love them.
I also replaced my original rubber brake HOSES -- there are no cables on hydraulic brakes on motorcycles -- with stainless steel Russell Performance brake lines. Much better feel, no more squishy feel.
Brakes are not something to do part way.
Use the best parts, fluid and techniques to protect yourself.
Best wishes,
Trwhouse
Quote from: Trwhouse on July 19, 2009, 01:21:16 PM
Hi there,
If your brake fluid was as dirty in color as you describe it, then you should replace the fluid in both brakes.
Why?
Because brake fluid over time holds water and rust that forms inside the brake parts due to moisture held within the fluid.
Every two years, you should flush both brakes with new fluid until it runs clear out of the brake bleeders. Bleed the brakes until the fluid runs low in the master cylinders. Top up the fluid, bleed again and repeat until the fluid looks CLEAN coming out of the bleeders. Voila. Final bleed and you are done. The brakes should feel great at that point.
I use EBS pads and love them.
I also replaced my original rubber brake HOSES -- there are no cables on hydraulic brakes on motorcycles -- with stainless steel Russell Performance brake lines. Much better feel, no more squishy feel.
Brakes are not something to do part way.
Use the best parts, fluid and techniques to protect yourself.
Best wishes,
Trwhouse
I plan on doing the rear brakes next weekend (just a flush). I bled the front brakes with my brother the manual slow way. Then we tried braking really hard with them over and over. Worked fine.
I want to get something to bleed them faster though. He had this kit so the fluid went into a small bottle which was pretty cool.
Thanks for everyones help, Hope I don't need help installing the brake pads :P
rear brake squeak is an issue with our bikes.
i dont think my bike squeaks, but then again i have a homebrew muffler and i ride with earplugs.
people who dont use the rear brake = lolzz
Quote from: cd on July 20, 2009, 09:38:55 AM
people who dont use the rear brake = lolzz
people who say lolzz = total faggots.
thats the point hahaah