Rear brakes

[Mildew]

I know thee valks rear brakes are not the best or even average but is it normal to travel a long distance when trying to stop after just replacing them. I had the same problem last time I changed them but they got better and better with time but today I was running pretty good and the light went red and I used back brakes only and it seemed like forever to stop.

[Chrisj CMA]

why would you use back brakes only unless you WANTED it to take forever to stop

[Mildew]

I was just testing them.

[Gryphon Rider]

I've replaced my rear pads once and don't remember if they had less grip at first, probably because although I always apply my rear brakes, I usually depend on my front brakes to do most of the stopping.  When you put new pads on an old rotor, it takes some use for the pads to "wear into" the grooves caused by the previous set of pads.  Until that happens only a portion of the surface area of the new pads is actually touching the rotor.   Another cause of poor brake performance is contamination of the rotor (or pads) during the pad replacement process.  If brake fluid or any oil product gets on the rotor, be sure to wipe it clean with brake cleaner before using fresh pads on it.

[Mildew]

I've replaced my rear pads once and don't remember if they had less grip at first, probably because although I always apply my rear brakes, I usually depend on my front brakes to do most of the stopping.  When you put new pads on an old rotor, it takes some use for the pads to "wear into" the grooves caused by the previous set of pads.  Until that happens only a portion of the surface area of the new pads is actually touching the rotor.   Another cause of poor brake performance is contamination of the rotor (or pads) during the pad replacement process.  If brake fluid or any oil product gets on the rotor, be sure to wipe it clean with brake cleaner before using fresh pads on it.

priciate it.....I read somewhere where it takes 250 miles to get the brakes normal. It just seemed liked I wasn't going to stop and wondered if I need to do something different other than just replacing them and riding down the highway. It's a dangerous thing riding on new brakes, for me anyhow

[X Ring]

The front brakes provide 80% of your braking power.  The only time you should be using rear brake only is when you're maneuvering and stopping in parking lots.

Marty

[Mildew]

The front brakes provide 80% of your braking power.  The only time you should be using rear brake only is when you're maneuvering and stopping in parking lots.

Marty

Yea, I guess never  paid attention to the specs or percentage but I know the fronts will make the backend stand up but "mercy" if the fronts were gone, I wouldn't be posting right now.

[X Ring]

After you got done with your brake job did you clean the rotor with brake cleaner and pump the brake pedal to get the pads close to the rotor?  Also, GR is correct in that you need to bed the pads.

Marty

[JetDriver]

Also, GR is correct in that you need to bed the pads.

Marty

By "bed the pads," do you mean just use them until the grooves of the rotor wears into the pads, or something else?

[X Ring]

It's a technique guys with high performance brakes use.  It's kind of like breaking in a seat or wearing the mold release off tires.  You find a lonely road or big empty parking lot.  You ride up to roughly 60 mph and bring the bike down to 10-15 mph, release the brakes, speed back up and repeat until you've done it 10 times.  What you're doing is transferring brake pad material to the rotor to promote wearing of the brake pad instead of the rotor.  In addition, you're heating up the pads and causing the binding resins to evaporate from the pad.  Here's a link that explains it better than I can:  http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedinstock.shtml.  From my understanding, it will allow the brakes to last longer.

Marty

[JetDriver]

Interesting reading- never heard of it before.  Now to see if I can do it!    I'm in the process of replacing all three sets of pads now.

[Mildew]

After you got done with your brake job did you clean the rotor with brake cleaner and pump the brake pedal to get the pads close to the rotor?  Also, GR is correct in that you need to bed the pads.

Marty

Did everything but clean the rotor. I believe that was the problem because it smelled like hot brakes on a big rig when I finally stopped. Next time I'll be cleaning the rotor  They are much improved today

[dalai-lama]

Don't assume that these big bikes cannot stop.  They stop in a pretty short distance if you brake properly.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=1497.0

[X Ring]

They certainly do!!  About a week after I bought Sandman four years ago, I had some knucklehead turn left in front of me while I was doing 45-50 mph.  About another 5-10 feet I would have been able to be completely stopped.  Luckily I hit his rear tire in the sidewall and popped the bead.  After that I was cruising the internet and discovered a motorcycle braking table on Motorcycle Consumer News.  Valkyries were #2 in braking.  I don't remember what was #1.

Marty

[The Anvil]

I'll add to the opinions that the Valk stops VERY well for a bike it's size, as long as you use both the front and rear brakes.