Brakes and braking
Content
The brakes are responsible for converting kinetic energy into heat. And this heat is dissipated on the disc and brake pads.
Historically, disc brakes were introduced in 1953 in a car. They were then made of chrome-plated steel to withstand heat at the expense of the coefficient of friction. It was in the early 1970s that the discs, initially filled, were drilled with ventilation ducts. Diameters and thicknesses then increase.
Steel discs are replaced with carbon discs; carbon discs have the advantage of weight (2 times lighter than steel) and especially in the fact that they do not have a decrease in efficiency depending on temperature. You should know that when we talk about carbon discs, they are actually a mixture of ceramic fibers and carbon.
Brake pads
These are the pads that come into contact with the brake disc and brake the motorcycle. Their lining can be sintered metal (encapsulated) or organic (ceramic).
The spacers should be chosen according to the type of rim - cast iron, metal or stainless steel - and then according to the type of motorcycle, driving and use you want to make of it.
Organic: often original, they are composed of aramid fibers (eg kevlar) and graphite. They are less aggressive than metal and wear less discs.
They are generally recommended for urban / highway use where the brakes are moderately applied.
Sintered metal: They are composed of metal powders (bronze, copper, iron) and ceramic and graphite fibers, all made from chipboard at high temperature / pressure. Reserved for sports cars / water, they offer more powerful braking while being less sensitive to temperature extremes. If they wear out less frequently, they are more aggressive to burn. Therefore, it is important to check if the discs are designed to support the sintered metal plates, otherwise the discs will be destroyed.
The pads also differ depending on their use / temperature: road 80 ° to 300 °, sports 150 ° to 450 °, racing 250 to 600 °.
Attention! the plates are not very efficient until they reach operating temperature. Therefore, the road rarely reaches 250 ° ... which means that racing grounds will be less efficient than roads for everyday use.
Frequency of change
The life of the pads will, of course, depend on their composition, but especially on your type of driving and the frequency with which you apply for the brakes. Anticipation and braking will gradually extend the life of the gaskets. I changed the pads only after 18 km ... "if you slow down, you're a coward" 😉
Brake disk
Brake pads bite metal discs.
These discs often have three parts:
- track: made of steel / stainless steel or cast iron, wears out, dug over kilometers.
- Connection: It provides a connection between the runway and the reference fret through rings or rivets. The game generates working noise.
- fret: the support that connects the motorcycle to the brake lane.
Depending on the number of parts and their structure, we are talking about disks:
- Fixed: brake track made of the same material as fret
- Semi-floating: frets and tracks are made of different materials and are riveted.
- Floating: the brake track is made of material other than fret; both are connected by centering rings that leave freedom of movement on the disc: the most advanced version of the brake disc. This allows imperfections in the wheel and bearing clearance to be filled. Center pads also allow the track to position itself in the best possible way in relation to the pads.
The metal of the brake disc determines the pads to be used. The stainless steel disc will use metal plates. The cast iron disc will use organic plates. Conversely, the cast iron disc does not tolerate sintered metal spacers.
Discs can exceed temperatures up to 500 °! knowing that the stainless steel disc deforms above 550 °.
The disc wears out and changes normally after 3-5 sets of shims.
Do not forget to check their general appearance and the appearance of possible microcracks.
You should be aware that a disc that is too thin heats up faster; its effectiveness and endurance are then reduced.
Brake calipers
Floating: check and lubricate all axles, change bellows if necessary.
Fixed: check for leak, control the axis of the pads
Tip: Clean discs and clamps with soapy water.
Brake hose
They are usually made of rubber. Then it is enough to check the absence of cracks due to age, tightness and condition of the brake fittings.
There are hoses with a Teflon core and stainless steel braid and then covered with a protective PVC jacket.
Master cylinder
Check its general appearance, the presence of possible leaks or water (pipe, sight glass, piston seal) and the height of the brake fluid level. It is advisable to change the brake fluid every two years in the case of DOT4. every year in case of DOT5.
Tip:
Check the condition of the pads regularly. A set of pads costs just over 15 euros, but the record is worth over 350 euros! You must change the notebooks of both discs at the same time (even if one of the games still seems to be in good condition).
As with any new part, special care must be taken during the first few kilometers to give the pads time to adapt to the discs. In short, gentle use of the brakes: little repetitive and gentle braking.
Record prices:
Attention, the left and right discs are different and often differ from one vintage to another.
There are also adaptable rims with prices dropping below 150 euros. But hey, don't expect the same quality!
Brochure prices:
In France equipment: € 19 (Dafy Moto)
In Carbonne Lorraine: 38 euros (ref: 2251 SBK-3 front for 1200).
Now, if you decide to change everything at the same time and include labor, it will cost you around € 100 including VAT (front panel set: 2 * 158,53 FHT, rear cover set: 142,61 FHT, mounting package 94,52 FHT).
