+Jordan Hoffman Well, when you're changing pads on your bike, you don't have to take the wheels off haha! Seriously, though, there isn't much different. -DrewZilla
ok thanks i have a project to fix up its a 1978 ds80 80cc. it was used for on/off road but now it's rusty and tank has big bents in it but as i sayed project bike. thank you so much that you read the comments i hope you read this
holy crap I just sw the name tag. For clarity, Lemmy is the name of the singer/bass player from Motorhead, a nickname from when he was all poor and used to ask everyone if they would "lemme a fiver".
I don't even pay a shop to do the brakes on my cars, and those require a lot more work. You don't even need to take off the wheel or lift it. You live and learn.
Revzilla has been my go-to for parts and any info I need on maintenance for years. The other day I ordered new rear brake pads and decided to check my order history and my god I’ve spent thousands here. I’ve owned 6 motorcycles in the last 8 years and have customized every one.
There might be more bikeless bros watching these than you think. Since buying a used small CC bike is the easiest and cheapest way to start your motorcycling career, knowing how to do basic maintenance on a bike is pretty important. You don't want to start learning on a dangerous bike. Brakes, oil change, new chain and sprocket might be things you change before you even start riding. Even if the bike is in great shape, those are things you either want to change or at least have an idea if they are still in good shape before start riding. If you crash, it should be because you lack the skill. It shouldn't be because the bike was trying to kill you.
Seriously, thank you for all you do. Really new to the whole self-servicing my own motorcycle type of deal (outside of an oil change) so it's nice to know that something that has always terrified me (brake changes) is definitely not hard.
Lemmy must realize that brake jobs are very important, hence not having a beer or drink in the episode. That is probably a good choice. Anyways, thanks for another helpful video.
I’ve always been that guy who takes his bike to the mechanic and get these jobs done because I’ve had no confidence to do it myself. Watching this Lemmy has made it look much simpler then the monstrous job I thought it was!
as an ex bike mechanic and raced in the R6 cup 2 decades ago i can confirm 100% that bike mechanics dont always do the job right and they certainly arent cleaning all your parts thoroughly when they are off. Just so you know that.
@@etaybokish it absolutely should be air tight. If it overflowed then you must have had the resevoir lid off because brake fluid does not compress it would naturally flow out the top so .....that wasnt very smart.
Awesome job on this video. Just like anything else, step by step. Some are intimidated as they have never replaced their pads. If you have mechanical aptitude, watch these videos and check your manuals. Not hard to do at all. I even replaced my clutch and clutch springs. The more you learn how to work on your bike, the more you get to know your bike.
Wow! Thank you for this very informational vid! I was actually intimidated in looking into brake pad replacement, but your explanation of the whole process is very confidence inspiring. Thank you once again!
A good tip when putting that type of caliper back together is to put the caliper back on then sliding the pads in from the top, then you don't have to use 3 hands to hold it together. Also check the brakefluid level as you're pushing the calipers in and while you are doing it Also check the brakehose for wears and cracks.
Thanks for the video Lemmy. You inspired me to change the rear pads on my Kawasaki ZX14R and it could not have been easier. 10-15 minutes all up. Outer pad was more worn than the inner. Thanks again, I really apreciate your maintenance vids.
Thanks a lot for this video. I was able to install my front brake pads successfully. I came here to find out the trick to push the caliper cylinders back and I got it.
Everything you do looks so easy... For "normal" people like me, I think all those mechanic aspects are sort of a mystery, but your videos really show that we can do most of the jobs ourselves and therefore save some $$. For example, I changed the oil on my wife's Kawa a couple weeks ago, it was really quick and easy... A garage would have charged around 200! (in Switzerland).
Well done! I don’t need to do a brake job on my motorcycle I did one last year but it is so refreshing to always watch somebody and learn from them. Thank you very well done very well explained and explaining some of the pitfalls that guys with not a lot of experience make probably saved money and may be a lifer too God bless you guys thank you
Thanks for the great illustration. I changed the pads on my 2000 Nighthawk with minimal hassle. Probably saved myself $60-$80 which I can now use to buy new stuff for my bike! You guys help to build my confidence to do maintenance myself.
This guys is a very good teacher and does things the right way! Thanks for your help and keep doing good quality work without cutting corners as you mentioned. Way to go bro! Thanks again!
Yeah, I've been waisting my money for years when I ask a mechanic to do it, thanks a lot, Lemmy, great video! I'm going for it, now I feel confident enough to try!
I will be replacing my front pads soon and will definitely be referring to this video in the near future. I genuinely appreciate your enthusiastic and knowledgeable walk-through.
thanks, with my warrenty up from Harley Davidson, I did my front brakes myself ... got to the ordering new pads, but cleaned the parts, noticed one caliper was sticking more, so I will have to go a little deeper in cleaning, but the video helped me out. Never changed brakes on anything before. ThumbsUp
Got a new subscriber 😂 I've recently got into motorbikes and replaced my rear brake pads yesterday. No prior experience but seemed self explanatory. Had to take a quick ride out today for job interview and noticed the brake was sticking slightly on the way. I did not clean the pistons or push the pistons all the way back into the caliper housing and would never have thought to lube up the back of the pads or pad pins.... my caliper is slightly different to this one but I think I make have put the shim in slightly off aswell. Now I know where I went wrong I'll go back tomorrow and redo it. Cheers for the vid
Coolant flushed, oil changed and new filter, cleaned and lubed chain, bled my brakes. Next up, changing some pads. I'll never pay a shop to do what I mentioned again. Thanks Lemmy!
OK this was fantastic and I am glad I saw this one. I have an Indian Roadmaster and have heard the EBC pads make a big difference. You were very clear and consice in how this is done. Thank you for saving me some cash.
avoid EBC now they are garbage they have cheapened out the brand big time over the last 5yr. SBS are the old EBC and the ones everyone here in UK, IOM and Ireland are using. The Double HHs EBC went from one of the best to one of the worst in one swoop so be warned.
Great tutorial! When I change brake calipers on my cars, they tend to be quite heavy and the hoses tend to be rubber, so I *always* support them. The best way to do it on a car is with zip ties; So I'd reccomend zip-tying the caliper up so it doesn't hang by the brake line, even if the brake line is tough.
Bike brake lines are magnitudes stronger and for the weight of the caliper they can take it for fun. Bike brake lines are made in cross ply and radial as they are designed to constantly move and streach so they can take the weight of even a large caliper no problem. The problem with leaving car calipers dangling on the hoses is that the caliper is about 3 ton and the short section of hose is lesser quality than motorbike ones and they dont like bending more than a few inch in one direction. See in any circumstances where your hoses cannot take the weight of a caliper id suggest that your hoses were long by their best and needing replacing anyway. On cars its always the end fittings where it holds onto the hose that get it when you dangle the caliper on the hose alone.. or its when the outer hose has perished enough that cracks are showing it ends up punishing them hairline cracks and sometimes they hold out for 6 month afterwards in that case but it does seriously age them in that case so i agree with you on the car side of things. Bikes you really dont want any weaknesses on the brake lines at all as you fall off motorbikes
First off, let me say that I like Ari Henning's wrenching videos too. I've followed him since MC Garage and he's great. That said, there is something about Lemmy's tone and the reassurances with which he starts out every video. I inevitably look up wrenching videos in a state of semi-worry about the job ahead, and Lemmy always seems to talk me back to equilibrium.
First video I have ever seen from this channel and I do have to say that your information is wonderful and the way you go into detail as to how parts work and the process itself is great. Definitely subscribed and will watch in the future!
Hey guys, great video, just wanted to let you know that those EBC brake pads don't need silicone/copper grease on the back of the pads, it actually says not to do it on their website: ebcbrakes.com/product/ebc-caliper-brake-lube/ the pads have a copper backing and the grease just catches and traps dirt, I've been running mine dry with no brake noise whatsoever, happy motorcycling!
Next time, install the caliper first (finger tight) and then slide in the pads and install the shim and pins. Spin the wheel and gently pull the level to stop the wheel. (repeat about 3 or 4 times) on the last time hold the level while tightening down the caliper bolts.
Thank you this great video. I normally ask a friend to do jobs like this but you made me realise how easy it is to do when shown correctly. now gonna check out some of your other vids. you saved me money too.
Right - that seems clear enough, now to have a go. Being a 68yr old woman from an admin background I don't have a lot of mechanical expereince, but I figure if I got the bike and the tools I should use them!
Hey! I'm about to change my rear brake pads for the first time. I'm doing the rear first as a test, so if I fail I only lose 20% of my braking capacity (in theory, lol). I was wondering if I can use copper grease to lubricate the parts that you lubricated with special brake lubricant. I've seen copper grease used in some other videos and was wondering what you'd think about it! Cheers!
@@justan-eli9262It went well, I did my back brakes to begin with. I figured if I somehow messed it up, I'd only lose 20% of my braking capacity since the front would still work. But I'm confident now in my ability to do a brake job. I finished it in 20 minutes or so, and I'm a two left handed mechanic. But I like to just try and play around with it, to get better at it and save some coin in the long run!
Question I know you said in the beginning of your video to don’t press the brake lever but I heard complete opposite once the caliper comes off to wedge a popsicle stick or an old brake pad in there crank that puppy all the way down to the Pistons exposed to get some 400 grit sandpaper around it to clean off the gunk then compress it I also have another question because after I did this a tiny piece of metal fell out of my brake caliper but I have no clue where it goes but everything went right back together perfectly fine
Do you have to use lube? All that's available in my area is petroleum based brake grease. So is it a preference thing or requirement? Also my bike does not have rubber slide pin boots. Advice please????
Lubricants are specific to the application, so you really need to refer to your factory service manual (or get a factory service manual and confirm the specification if you don't already have one). It's important to use what the manufacturer specifies. -DrewZilla
Thx, great tutorial.. but after cleaning the callipers and putting back the new pads the front wheel feels really stiff now. When I lift the front wheel and spin it it stops immediately. What could go wrong? Everything looked ok, breaks dont squeek, they work when I use the break lever, this is the only problem I have, maybe too much break fluid...? I haven't tried to go for a short ride yet but maybe it will need just a short ride?
Which break pads are you using? It's impossible for me to get the Nissin Brake Pads myself because Nissin only sells it to authorized service stations.
The pads on my front brake are showing very odd wear. The outboard pad is worn thin but the inboard pad isn't showing much wear at all. This is on a 2016 Honda Fury. Could I possibly need a whole new caliper already? Anyway, thanks for the education.
Great video, thanks. On backside of my old pads were attached these thin metal grills which I forgot to take off and put on my new pads. I saw you did not put them there either. Are they must? Thanks
They aren't a must, but they can help reduce rattling or squealing. If you ride the bike and notice that the pads are making a lot of noise, then it might be worth going back in to attach the metal grills. -DrewZilla
Tip: Having a really hard time getting the (cleaned) pistons back in? Use a clamp with the old pads. Make sure not to crank it hard though, be very soft and insure the clamp isn't directly on the caliber/new pads.
Thanks Lenny. Another great video. I thought I was subscribed, but wasn't. I am now. Between you, Ken Cordon, and Kevin Morris, I'm learning better ways to ride and service my own bike. Yes, I'm learning. I started riding at 14 on a Honda Trail 90 that was given to me if I could fix everything on it. I did. That was in 1969.
Quick question, I got a small amount of lube onto 1 of the brake pads by accident roughly the size of a fingerprint. Will this be an issue and do I need new brake pads because they are contaminated or can I just clean it off with brake cleaner. Thanks.
Brake cleaner .... beware the first ride .... grease will burn off or run it for a Km and stop and wipe disk rotor with brake cleaner to get ride of the transfer of grease .... not a biggie.
Lemmy, love your videos, so helpful. I have a question. I have a 2007 Dyna Super Glide Custom and the owners manual describes changing the rear brake pads without removing the caliper. Does that sound right?
Keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir as you push the pistons in. There is the faint possibility they may overflow if the brake fluid has been topped as the pads wore.
You're absolutely right. Lemmy mentions this detail in his companion article as well: _"If you have been adding fluid, you may want to visit our how-to on servicing the hydraulic portion of your brakes and you may need to draw some of the fluid out of the reservoir before you start. Otherwise, a brake job may end up turning into a paint job, because spilled brake fluid is nasty to your paint."_ -DrewZilla
Hey +RevZilla I tried to push the pistons back into the caliper like the video said, it was really hard to do so. Instead of what Lemmy did, I used a channel lock plier to push it back in, using a towel so it doesn't damage the pistons. It worked, but now I am unsure if I did something bad or not. Thanks!
Just had a garage do my brakes and my front is perfect but my rear is worse now than the 5000mlie pads that had just been removed. Whats up with that??
i fall in category 3.. for whatever reason this video was suggested to me by youtube, and to further procrastinate doing other things (like cleaning my house) i started watching this :)
One of the best ,professional n detailed video i have ever seen ,Lemmy you're the BEST. Great job,i may call you some time ,if i need help with my Suzuki Gsxr 600. Thanks
What type of grease are you using to lube the pin that hold the brakes. I have a 2015 roadking is Harley’s use different grease? they squeaking and I didn’t use grease in that sliding pin.
Car mechanic who has never done motorcycle brakes before. Kawi says to leave the caliper on and take the pads out from the top (2019 Z900ABS). They seem pretty serious about it because they used Torx bolts to hold the caliper on. (Everyone knows only certified professionals can remove Torx bolts). I'm confident and possibly even competent enough to remove the calipers to change the pads, and give the whole system a good staring at. Thoughts?
That's perfectly fine, kawi just recommend removing from the top as it is the faster way to get the job done and if you're a car mechanic I'm sure you know the importance of book time vs actual work time when it comes to ringing up the bill at the dealer. You can easily pull the caliper off, clean the dust off thoroughly, and replace the pads with the caliper in your hand. That said, on a bike that new a full inspection is not really required. I hope that helps! -Zack
Thanks Lemmy! I lucked out because i have the same calipers on my bike. I noticed you didn't reuse the anti-squeal brackets on the new pads, was that just an accident?
Hello Lemmy, after doing rear disc brake service the pedal stays down I ne,ed to manually lift it up, suggestions please. I have a 2002 1200 Sportster, thanks, Brian
Interesting question: Wouldn't you want to push the pistons out a little more and clean them up before putting them back all the way in to put the new pads ??
If anyone reading this has changed their brake fluid in the past and is not sure if they did it right, don't forget to check the level of your brake fluid while pushing the pistons back in! Pistons not returning completely can be caused by the fluid container that has been filled above its max allowed level! + some fluid containers have little air vents to compensate for pressure differences in the container: to much fluid + pushing back pistons = brake fluid all over you precious bike. :)
pushing pistons back you want to have either the cap and diaphragm etc off the rez and fluid at least at the low level OR you can undo the caliper bleeder enough that it's letting fluid out when you press. Other than that there is no secret. If you fight the sealed unit to get the pistons back in you are driving fluid back up the system and relying on the give in the diaphragm under the rez cap to take up the pressure and equalise it. Air in the system is an entirely different thing if you had air somewhere then a pad change is likely to push that air about to another position mate.
too add to my last reply rather than edit it > see the -low level- on the rez thats deemed the low level beacuse its where you would still want the fluid to be with the bike on its stand with the steering cocked in the worst position height wise. Its the amount that shouldn't spill out with stand wobble and shouldnt allow any angle to get air into it enough that it can be inhaled into the system even if you pull on the lever really fast.
One question. Is it normal that brake calipers have a little freeplay when you tighten them on frame. I mean when you hold the caliper by hand and wable it, you can feel it wobble just slightly.
Lemmy, great job as always. I just one question. What can be done in the end if the caliber pistons dont go to their place? I already pumped the brakes but still they dont brake... Thanks :)
I just had my front disc brake and pads changed to new ones by a mechanic. I didn't pay atention to exactly how much the wheel could spin (before the change of pads and disc) when i would just try and spin it when on the centre stand. But now i notice that it barely spins. Maybe 1/2 a turn when i give it a spin with my hand. I'm thinking the pads are touching the disc? Is that normal or should i adjust the pads so the wheel can spin freely? Thanks!
That's normal and should subside over time. Both the new pads and new brake disc are slightly thicker than the old, worn disc and pads, so they're going to rub a bit at first. -DrewZilla
It really depends on the ABS system. Some ABS systems require accessing the bike ECU to 'reset' the system after bleeding. Some ABS systems are harder to bleed and really need to be bled by the dealer. -DrewZilla
I'd recommending doing one at a time starting with the rear if you haven't ever done this. You still have to be careful, but you're less likely to do something that'll kill you or destroy the bike.
ZLA Lemmy No, it wasn’t, but you do need someone to show you first. I wasn’t going to risk cocking it up on my only bike. I guess that’s why a lot of bikers leave it to the pros. Need to do rear pads now! 😆
ebc are terrible now they have done a "one size fits all" on us and now the same pad fits about 10 more bikes because they ovulated the caliper pin holes enough to fit more fitments. They are the worst pad you can buy in the UK now for Track and fast road use they absolutely suck compared to what they were even 5yr ago. The EBC HHs the gap is too big between the abrasive chunks and they are basically two seperate small chunks rather than one large one with relief cuts. The older HHs were made correctly and had good lead & trailing edge robustness, the new ones are the worst of the worst. In the UK and IOM we fit SBS pads mate they are made in Denmark and basically are the old EBCs with a more advanced relief cut. For example the SBS sold as "evo sintered street performance" for fast road and track use are identicall backing and fitment size as the older proper EBC HHs but the abrasive side is the best quality sintered and pressed on fit and is a true sintered material and has been fully sintered to the backing plate as one big pad then the relief cuts ground out so theres no chance of material mismatches or bad bonding in the individual blocks. EBC are to be avoided now at all costs they are terrible
Great DIY video Lemmy !!. One question though, do I have to remove the brake fluid reservoir cap before pushing back the pistons all the way in, to release the pressure?
No, you don't need to remove the cap. It's actually better to leave the cap on to prevent spills. You don't really have issues with pressure in the reservoir. -DrewZilla
RevZilla I did mine and took the cap off, I had to syringe out some brake fluid as it was going to spill out but when I was done there was no room to put the fluid from the syringe back in why is that ??? Would it be because previously a garage may have topped up my brake reservoir whilst the pads was low ??? I look forward to your reply.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to leave brake calliper slightly unscrewed, pump the brakes and then torque it all the way? This should help with centering the calipper perfectly.
That tip actually worked wonders on my Superduke. I just replaced rotors and they were dragging. I loosened the caliper screws about a turn, pulled the lever and with pressure applied I tightened all the caliper mounting screws. I went from the wheel spinning about a half turn to a full 360.
Lemmy, Love your videos man they’re super helpful. I need to change my brakes but I don’t know which brake pads I’m able to use. I have a buell lightning 2009. Any help?
It depends whether you have the XB12 Lightning or XB9 Lightning. Front brakes are different, but rear brakes should be the same. Use the bike selector on our site to verify. -DrewZilla *XB12 Front: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ebc-fa4544hh-double-h-sintered-front-brake-pads *XB9 Front: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ebc-fa345hh-double-h-sintered-front-brake-pads *Rear: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ebc-fa140hh-double-h-sintered-rear-brake-pads
In the video, we used CRC Brakleen cleaner and AGS Brake Lubricant, but you don't have to use those exact brands. As for brake fluid, your owner's manual will specify which type of brake fluid is required for your specific model year GSX-R1000. -DrewZilla
+Jordan Hoffman Well, when you're changing pads on your bike, you don't have to take the wheels off haha! Seriously, though, there isn't much different. -DrewZilla
+RevZilla what about drum brakes
With drum brakes, you generally have to remove the wheel. -DrewZilla
ok thanks i have a project to fix up its a 1978 ds80 80cc. it was used for on/off road but now it's rusty and tank has big bents in it but as i sayed project bike.
thank you so much that you read the comments i hope you read this
Omg! I love you! Thanks for this video! I'm going to be changing my bike's brake pads, have done so in a car, now time to do it on my bike. 🏍✌💯💝
Did you push in the pistons in this video?
Can't believe I ever paid a shop to do this job, Thanks Lemmy
not quite the Lemmy I grew up with but I like where you are going!
holy crap I just sw the name tag. For clarity, Lemmy is the name of the singer/bass player from Motorhead, a nickname from when he was all poor and used to ask everyone if they would "lemme a fiver".
I don't even pay a shop to do the brakes on my cars, and those require a lot more work. You don't even need to take off the wheel or lift it.
You live and learn.
"Kucklehead's garage" will always be there for you!
I feel like with Lemmy I can learn anything and be confident doing it.
Revzilla has been my go-to for parts and any info I need on maintenance for years. The other day I ordered new rear brake pads and decided to check my order history and my god I’ve spent thousands here. I’ve owned 6 motorcycles in the last 8 years and have customized every one.
I'm the even smaller group. I don't even have a bike; I'm just watching videos.
lol
BIKELESS BROS UNITE
Same no bike....yet. Researching first
Got one yet ?
There might be more bikeless bros watching these than you think. Since buying a used small CC bike is the easiest and cheapest way to start your motorcycling career, knowing how to do basic maintenance on a bike is pretty important. You don't want to start learning on a dangerous bike. Brakes, oil change, new chain and sprocket might be things you change before you even start riding. Even if the bike is in great shape, those are things you either want to change or at least have an idea if they are still in good shape before start riding. If you crash, it should be because you lack the skill. It shouldn't be because the bike was trying to kill you.
Seriously, thank you for all you do. Really new to the whole self-servicing my own motorcycle type of deal (outside of an oil change) so it's nice to know that something that has always terrified me (brake changes) is definitely not hard.
Lemmy must realize that brake jobs are very important, hence not having a beer or drink in the episode. That is probably a good choice. Anyways, thanks for another helpful video.
It's easy to learn though
You've apparently never seen me put butter and jelly on my toast friend!!!
Jrock420blam I was thinking the same. Quarter container of pb and half a gallon of jelly. Per slice lol
I actually spread my bread on my bp&j 🙆🏻♂️
Most helpful video I’ve seen on TH-cam, I feel instantly confident to change my pads, I only just started riding.
I’ve always been that guy who takes his bike to the mechanic and get these jobs done because I’ve had no confidence to do it myself. Watching this Lemmy has made it look much simpler then the monstrous job I thought it was!
as an ex bike mechanic and raced in the R6 cup 2 decades ago i can confirm 100% that bike mechanics dont always do the job right and they certainly arent cleaning all your parts thoroughly when they are off. Just so you know that.
You forgot to mention to check the brake fluid level before pushing the pistons in, you might overflow :)
overflow? it's a closed system
It’s not air-tight, oil can flow thru your brake fluid (cylinder?) top container thing. Happened to me today when replacing brake fluid.
True.
@@etaybokish it absolutely should be air tight. If it overflowed then you must have had the resevoir lid off because brake fluid does not compress it would naturally flow out the top so .....that wasnt very smart.
@@etaybokish of course it's air tight. It has to be so tight that under enormous hydraulic pressure nothing leaks out. That's it's entire job.
Awesome job on this video. Just like anything else, step by step. Some are intimidated as they have never replaced their pads. If you have mechanical aptitude, watch these videos and check your manuals. Not hard to do at all. I even replaced my clutch and clutch springs. The more you learn how to work on your bike, the more you get to know your bike.
Wow! Thank you for this very informational vid! I was actually intimidated in looking into brake pad replacement, but your explanation of the whole process is very confidence inspiring. Thank you once again!
A good tip when putting that type of caliper back together is to put the caliper back on then sliding the pads in from the top, then you don't have to use 3 hands to hold it together. Also check the brakefluid level as you're pushing the calipers in and while you are doing it Also check the brakehose for wears and cracks.
dont forget, taking the cap off the brake cylinder would probably help you push those pistons in.
Thanks for the video Lemmy. You inspired me to change the rear pads on my Kawasaki ZX14R and it could not have been easier. 10-15 minutes all up. Outer pad was more worn than the inner. Thanks again, I really apreciate your maintenance vids.
Your vid is still helping people get to know their bike almost 5 years later, Thanks Lemmy
Thanks a lot for this video. I was able to install my front brake pads successfully. I came here to find out the trick to push the caliper cylinders back and I got it.
What do I do if I've pulled the break lever please help!
So what did you do? Or you're still out of ride?
@@1scott921 we shall never know
Everything you do looks so easy... For "normal" people like me, I think all those mechanic aspects are sort of a mystery, but your videos really show that we can do most of the jobs ourselves and therefore save some $$. For example, I changed the oil on my wife's Kawa a couple weeks ago, it was really quick and easy... A garage would have charged around 200! (in Switzerland).
Nice presentation, Lemmy. Thank you Revzilla for going the extra mile to help us riders enjoy the road more than the workshop! 👍
Well done! I don’t need to do a brake job on my motorcycle I did one last year but it is so refreshing to always watch somebody and learn from them. Thank you very well done very well explained and explaining some of the pitfalls that guys with not a lot of experience make probably saved money and may be a lifer too God bless you guys thank you
He is really good in front of the camera, great explanation and good speaking. Will check out more videos from you and him, thanks!
I know my brakes and do them already, but clicked the video for the extra advise you don't normally hear or think of... Again top vid as usual.
Zilla, I love how you explain everything but you make it look so simple, please continue what you do.
Thanks for the great illustration. I changed the pads on my 2000 Nighthawk with minimal hassle. Probably saved myself $60-$80 which I can now use to buy new stuff for my bike! You guys help to build my confidence to do maintenance myself.
This guy is brilliant. Great knowledge and really clear presentation. Always enjoy his videos.
This guys is a very good teacher and does things the right way! Thanks for your help and keep doing good quality work without cutting corners as you mentioned. Way to go bro! Thanks again!
Yeah, I've been waisting my money for years when I ask a mechanic to do it, thanks a lot, Lemmy, great video! I'm going for it, now I feel confident enough to try!
I will be replacing my front pads soon and will definitely be referring to this video in the near future. I genuinely appreciate your enthusiastic and knowledgeable walk-through.
thanks, with my warrenty up from Harley Davidson, I did my front brakes myself ... got to the ordering new pads, but cleaned the parts, noticed one caliper was sticking more, so I will have to go a little deeper in cleaning, but the video helped me out. Never changed brakes on anything before. ThumbsUp
Got a new subscriber 😂 I've recently got into motorbikes and replaced my rear brake pads yesterday. No prior experience but seemed self explanatory. Had to take a quick ride out today for job interview and noticed the brake was sticking slightly on the way. I did not clean the pistons or push the pistons all the way back into the caliper housing and would never have thought to lube up the back of the pads or pad pins.... my caliper is slightly different to this one but I think I make have put the shim in slightly off aswell.
Now I know where I went wrong I'll go back tomorrow and redo it. Cheers for the vid
Coolant flushed, oil changed and new filter, cleaned and lubed chain, bled my brakes. Next up, changing some pads. I'll never pay a shop to do what I mentioned again. Thanks Lemmy!
OK this was fantastic and I am glad I saw this one. I have an Indian Roadmaster and have heard the EBC pads make a big difference. You were very clear and consice in how this is done. Thank you for saving me some cash.
avoid EBC now they are garbage they have cheapened out the brand big time over the last 5yr. SBS are the old EBC and the ones everyone here in UK, IOM and Ireland are using. The Double HHs EBC went from one of the best to one of the worst in one swoop so be warned.
Don't forget to open the brake fluid reservoir to remove fluid if necessary from what is being pushed back to the reservoir by the retracted pistons
Great tutorial! When I change brake calipers on my cars, they tend to be quite heavy and the hoses tend to be rubber, so I *always* support them. The best way to do it on a car is with zip ties; So I'd reccomend zip-tying the caliper up so it doesn't hang by the brake line, even if the brake line is tough.
Bike brake lines are magnitudes stronger and for the weight of the caliper they can take it for fun. Bike brake lines are made in cross ply and radial as they are designed to constantly move and streach so they can take the weight of even a large caliper no problem. The problem with leaving car calipers dangling on the hoses is that the caliper is about 3 ton and the short section of hose is lesser quality than motorbike ones and they dont like bending more than a few inch in one direction. See in any circumstances where your hoses cannot take the weight of a caliper id suggest that your hoses were long by their best and needing replacing anyway. On cars its always the end fittings where it holds onto the hose that get it when you dangle the caliper on the hose alone.. or its when the outer hose has perished enough that cracks are showing it ends up punishing them hairline cracks and sometimes they hold out for 6 month afterwards in that case but it does seriously age them in that case so i agree with you on the car side of things. Bikes you really dont want any weaknesses on the brake lines at all as you fall off motorbikes
First off, let me say that I like Ari Henning's wrenching videos too. I've followed him since MC Garage and he's great.
That said, there is something about Lemmy's tone and the reassurances with which he starts out every video. I inevitably look up wrenching videos in a state of semi-worry about the job ahead, and Lemmy always seems to talk me back to equilibrium.
First video I have ever seen from this channel and I do have to say that your information is wonderful and the way you go into detail as to how parts work and the process itself is great. Definitely subscribed and will watch in the future!
Lemmy is the best! Such an informative person, thanks for the DIY videos man! You save a lot of people money
Hey guys, great video, just wanted to let you know that those EBC brake pads don't need silicone/copper grease on the back of the pads, it actually says not to do it on their website: ebcbrakes.com/product/ebc-caliper-brake-lube/ the pads have a copper backing and the grease just catches and traps dirt, I've been running mine dry with no brake noise whatsoever, happy motorcycling!
Next time, install the caliper first (finger tight) and then slide in the pads and install the shim and pins. Spin the wheel and gently pull the level to stop the wheel. (repeat about 3 or 4 times) on the last time hold the level while tightening down the caliper bolts.
You are eloquent and precise. Thanks for saving me a few bobs and help me be a bigger man with my seldom used tools.
I watched the J&P Cycles video on changing pads before this and, this is so much more in depth.
Thank you for sharing the very detailed video, I'm a woman and I feel confident I could fix my own brakes if I needed to.
Thank you for the straight forward video... I just did mine and they were much easier then I thought...
Thank you this great video. I normally ask a friend to do jobs like this but you made me realise how easy it is to do when shown correctly. now gonna check out some of your other vids. you saved me money too.
Great vid! Is it worth putting any anti seizeing paste on the bolts when putting the bike back together?
It can help, though we recommend you reference a service manual for the manufacturer recommendation. -DrewZilla
Awesome detail explained in plain English resulting in thorough understanding and installs confidence!
Right - that seems clear enough, now to have a go. Being a 68yr old woman from an admin background I don't have a lot of mechanical expereince, but I figure if I got the bike and the tools I should use them!
God Bless You Madam!!😁🙌👍
I do love how they take their time explaining everything.
Thanks. Great tips and clear instructions for a first timer like me. Thanks Lemmy.
Hey! I'm about to change my rear brake pads for the first time. I'm doing the rear first as a test, so if I fail I only lose 20% of my braking capacity (in theory, lol). I was wondering if I can use copper grease to lubricate the parts that you lubricated with special brake lubricant. I've seen copper grease used in some other videos and was wondering what you'd think about it!
Cheers!
Copper grease will also ruin the rubber sadly .. silicone all the way man :) around brakes at least
Howd it go?
How'd it go
@@justan-eli9262It went well, I did my back brakes to begin with. I figured if I somehow messed it up, I'd only lose 20% of my braking capacity since the front would still work. But I'm confident now in my ability to do a brake job. I finished it in 20 minutes or so, and I'm a two left handed mechanic. But I like to just try and play around with it, to get better at it and save some coin in the long run!
@@crazedexplorer See my answer below :)
Question I know you said in the beginning of your video to don’t press the brake lever but I heard complete opposite once the caliper comes off to wedge a popsicle stick or an old brake pad in there crank that puppy all the way down to the Pistons exposed to get some 400 grit sandpaper around it to clean off the gunk then compress it I also have another question because after I did this a tiny piece of metal fell out of my brake caliper but I have no clue where it goes but everything went right back together perfectly fine
Thanks. Just did this on a 1982 Honda Ascot FT500!!!! This worked perfectly.
Do you have to use lube? All that's available in my area is petroleum based brake grease. So is it a preference thing or requirement? Also my bike does not have rubber slide pin boots. Advice please????
Lubricants are specific to the application, so you really need to refer to your factory service manual (or get a factory service manual and confirm the specification if you don't already have one). It's important to use what the manufacturer specifies. -DrewZilla
This is a very well presented and informative video. It really helped me change the brakes on my VFR1200X - Thanks!
Thx, great tutorial.. but after cleaning the callipers and putting back the new pads the front wheel feels really stiff now. When I lift the front wheel and spin it it stops immediately. What could go wrong? Everything looked ok, breaks dont squeek, they work when I use the break lever, this is the only problem I have, maybe too much break fluid...? I haven't tried to go for a short ride yet but maybe it will need just a short ride?
Are ABS systems similar or is there anything to keep in mind?
Thanks! Is it possible to have, on the SAME disk brake, one pad more used (i.e. thinner) than his twin on the other side of the disk?
Yes. It's typically an indication that one of the pistons is sticking and may need to be serviced
Thanks Lammy, excellent teaching and job well done. Learned new things. Charles from Toronto.
Which break pads are you using? It's impossible for me to get the Nissin Brake Pads myself because Nissin only sells it to authorized service stations.
+cybnitts We used EBC brake pads. -DrewZilla
The pads on my front brake are showing very odd wear. The outboard pad is worn thin but the inboard pad isn't showing much wear at all. This is on a 2016 Honda Fury. Could I possibly need a whole new caliper already? Anyway, thanks for the education.
Great video, thanks. On backside of my old pads were attached these thin metal grills which I forgot to take off and put on my new pads. I saw you did not put them there either. Are they must? Thanks
They aren't a must, but they can help reduce rattling or squealing. If you ride the bike and notice that the pads are making a lot of noise, then it might be worth going back in to attach the metal grills. -DrewZilla
RevZilla many thanks
Tip: Having a really hard time getting the (cleaned) pistons back in? Use a clamp with the old pads. Make sure not to crank it hard though, be very soft and insure the clamp isn't directly on the caliber/new pads.
Thanks Lenny. Another great video. I thought I was subscribed, but wasn't. I am now. Between you, Ken Cordon, and Kevin Morris, I'm learning better ways to ride and service my own bike.
Yes, I'm learning. I started riding at 14 on a Honda Trail 90 that was given to me if I could fix everything on it. I did. That was in 1969.
I happen to have some PB white grease, could I use this in place of "brake grease"?
absolutely not. Dont even grease any part of bike brakes mate
Quick question, I got a small amount of lube onto 1 of the brake pads by accident roughly the size of a fingerprint. Will this be an issue and do I need new brake pads because they are contaminated or can I just clean it off with brake cleaner.
Thanks.
Brake cleaner .... beware the first ride .... grease will burn off or run it for a Km and stop and wipe disk rotor with brake cleaner to get ride of the transfer of grease .... not a biggie.
Lemmy, love your videos, so helpful. I have a question. I have a 2007 Dyna Super Glide Custom and the owners manual describes changing the rear brake pads without removing the caliper. Does that sound right?
Keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir as you push the pistons in. There is the faint possibility they may overflow if the brake fluid has been topped as the pads wore.
You're absolutely right. Lemmy mentions this detail in his companion article as well: _"If you have been adding fluid, you may want to visit our how-to on servicing the hydraulic portion of your brakes and you may need to draw some of the fluid out of the reservoir before you start. Otherwise, a brake job may end up turning into a paint job, because spilled brake fluid is nasty to your paint."_ -DrewZilla
brake fluid levels indicate brake pad wear when the level drops. brake fluid shouldn't go away or you got bigger problems.
Hey Lemmy thanks it’s a helpfull video! But what can I do if I don’t find the required torque in the manual?
It will be in the Factory Service Manual, not necessarily the regular owner's manual. -DrewZilla
Hey +RevZilla
I tried to push the pistons back into the caliper like the video said, it was really hard to do so. Instead of what Lemmy did, I used a channel lock plier to push it back in, using a towel so it doesn't damage the pistons. It worked, but now I am unsure if I did something bad or not. Thanks!
+Richard Oda You just don't want to damage the piston by using a tool directly on it. You're probably ok though. -DrewZilla
You can losen the main cylender of fluid to release the pressure, this will help allow the pistons to move
Just had a garage do my brakes and my front is perfect but my rear is worse now than the 5000mlie pads that had just been removed. Whats up with that??
Could be an issue with the rear pads sticking/dragging or perhaps you favor the rear more. -DrewZilla
@@RevZilla close turns out the rear disk is shot. And has ridges thanx anyway guys
Well that'll do it.
i fall in category 3.. for whatever reason this video was suggested to me by youtube, and to further procrastinate doing other things (like cleaning my house) i started watching this :)
Great video! I was always hesitant to do my brakes on my bike, but after watching this I'm sure I can do it. Thanks you Sir!
One of the best ,professional n detailed video i have ever seen ,Lemmy you're the BEST.
Great job,i may call you some time ,if i need help with my Suzuki Gsxr 600.
Thanks
This are the type of class that I love to take 💙 Thank You Revzilla 💙🔥
Lemmy is pure greatness! Outstanding video as usual!
What type of grease are you using to lube the pin that hold the brakes. I have a 2015 roadking is Harley’s use different grease? they squeaking and I didn’t use grease in that sliding pin.
Car mechanic who has never done motorcycle brakes before. Kawi says to leave the caliper on and take the pads out from the top (2019 Z900ABS). They seem pretty serious about it because they used Torx bolts to hold the caliper on. (Everyone knows only certified professionals can remove Torx bolts).
I'm confident and possibly even competent enough to remove the calipers to change the pads, and give the whole system a good staring at. Thoughts?
That's perfectly fine, kawi just recommend removing from the top as it is the faster way to get the job done and if you're a car mechanic I'm sure you know the importance of book time vs actual work time when it comes to ringing up the bill at the dealer.
You can easily pull the caliper off, clean the dust off thoroughly, and replace the pads with the caliper in your hand. That said, on a bike that new a full inspection is not really required.
I hope that helps!
-Zack
Thanks Lemmy! I lucked out because i have the same calipers on my bike. I noticed you didn't reuse the anti-squeal brackets on the new pads, was that just an accident?
Hello Lemmy, after doing rear disc brake service the pedal stays down I ne,ed to manually lift it up, suggestions please. I have a 2002 1200 Sportster, thanks, Brian
Interesting question: Wouldn't you want to push the pistons out a little more and clean them up before putting them back all the way in to put the new pads ??
If anyone reading this has changed their brake fluid in the past and is not sure if they did it right, don't forget to check the level of your brake fluid while pushing the pistons back in! Pistons not returning completely can be caused by the fluid container that has been filled above its max allowed level! + some fluid containers have little air vents to compensate for pressure differences in the container: to much fluid + pushing back pistons = brake fluid all over you precious bike. :)
pushing pistons back you want to have either the cap and diaphragm etc off the rez and fluid at least at the low level OR you can undo the caliper bleeder enough that it's letting fluid out when you press. Other than that there is no secret. If you fight the sealed unit to get the pistons back in you are driving fluid back up the system and relying on the give in the diaphragm under the rez cap to take up the pressure and equalise it. Air in the system is an entirely different thing if you had air somewhere then a pad change is likely to push that air about to another position mate.
too add to my last reply rather than edit it > see the -low level- on the rez thats deemed the low level beacuse its where you would still want the fluid to be with the bike on its stand with the steering cocked in the worst position height wise. Its the amount that shouldn't spill out with stand wobble and shouldnt allow any angle to get air into it enough that it can be inhaled into the system even if you pull on the lever really fast.
make sure to torque the caliper mount bolts with the brake lever pulled in to make sure pads, calipers and rotors are properly aligned
Do we need to lock tide the break bolts or what parts is lock tide is best used on ?
We recommend you consult the factory service manual for your specific bike to know whether it's necessary. -DrewZilla
Do most shops put new caliper bolts in, like the manuals say? or do they just reuse and re loctite them in the video?
One question. Is it normal that brake calipers have a little freeplay when you tighten them on frame. I mean when you hold the caliper by hand and wable it, you can feel it wobble just slightly.
Lemmy, great job as always. I just one question. What can be done in the end if the caliber pistons dont go to their place? I already pumped the brakes but still they dont brake... Thanks :)
Thank you for the video. Just replaced my pads for the first time myself. Easy job.
I just had my front disc brake and pads changed to new ones by a mechanic. I didn't pay atention to exactly how much the wheel could spin (before the change of pads and disc) when i would just try and spin it when on the centre stand. But now i notice that it barely spins. Maybe 1/2 a turn when i give it a spin with my hand. I'm thinking the pads are touching the disc? Is that normal or should i adjust the pads so the wheel can spin freely? Thanks!
That's normal and should subside over time. Both the new pads and new brake disc are slightly thicker than the old, worn disc and pads, so they're going to rub a bit at first. -DrewZilla
+RevZilla thanks a Lot :)
Another outstanding video, I always appreciate the way you relate to your audience. Well done
Is there any difference when it comes to ABS brakes?
It really depends on the ABS system. Some ABS systems require accessing the bike ECU to 'reset' the system after bleeding. Some ABS systems are harder to bleed and really need to be bled by the dealer. -DrewZilla
@@RevZilla Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I have a YAMAHA MT 125 2017
With the MT125, this process should be fine. -DrewZilla
@@RevZilla Perfect, thanks a lot.
You're welcome!
Thanks for the help Lemmy! This video paired with my service manual made everything easy.
I'd recommending doing one at a time starting with the rear if you haven't ever done this. You still have to be careful, but you're less likely to do something that'll kill you or destroy the bike.
Great video Lemmy! Well explained and you come across as a nice guy too. Top marks! 👌🏻
Well I successfully changed my front pads (first time I’ve done it) last weekend after watching your video so thank you anyway you big meanie! 😂
ZLA Lemmy No, it wasn’t, but you do need someone to show you first. I wasn’t going to risk cocking it up on my only bike. I guess that’s why a lot of bikers leave it to the pros. Need to do rear pads now! 😆
ebc double h sintered pads are like twice as fast stopping as regular sintered galfer pads that were an improvement on OEM pads on my VStrom
ebc are terrible now they have done a "one size fits all" on us and now the same pad fits about 10 more bikes because they ovulated the caliper pin holes enough to fit more fitments. They are the worst pad you can buy in the UK now for Track and fast road use they absolutely suck compared to what they were even 5yr ago. The EBC HHs the gap is too big between the abrasive chunks and they are basically two seperate small chunks rather than one large one with relief cuts. The older HHs were made correctly and had good lead & trailing edge robustness, the new ones are the worst of the worst. In the UK and IOM we fit SBS pads mate they are made in Denmark and basically are the old EBCs with a more advanced relief cut. For example the SBS sold as "evo sintered street performance" for fast road and track use are identicall backing and fitment size as the older proper EBC HHs but the abrasive side is the best quality sintered and pressed on fit and is a true sintered material and has been fully sintered to the backing plate as one big pad then the relief cuts ground out so theres no chance of material mismatches or bad bonding in the individual blocks. EBC are to be avoided now at all costs they are terrible
such an accessible video. really makes bike maintenance waaaay less intimidating.
Great DIY video Lemmy !!. One question though, do I have to remove the brake fluid reservoir cap before pushing back the pistons all the way in, to release the pressure?
No, you don't need to remove the cap. It's actually better to leave the cap on to prevent spills. You don't really have issues with pressure in the reservoir. -DrewZilla
RevZilla I did mine and took the cap off, I had to syringe out some brake fluid as it was going to spill out but when I was done there was no room to put the fluid from the syringe back in why is that ???
Would it be because previously a garage may have topped up my brake reservoir whilst the pads was low ???
I look forward to your reply.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to leave brake calliper slightly unscrewed, pump the brakes and then torque it all the way? This should help with centering the calipper perfectly.
For most motorcycle brake calipers, it really wouldn't make a difference. -DrewZilla
That tip actually worked wonders on my Superduke. I just replaced rotors and they were dragging. I loosened the caliper screws about a turn, pulled the lever and with pressure applied I tightened all the caliper mounting screws. I went from the wheel spinning about a half turn to a full 360.
Nice!
I rode it today and it feels back to normal. Thanks MotoHolota! Great video Lemmie!
Glad to hear. :)
Lemmy, Love your videos man they’re super helpful. I need to change my brakes but I don’t know which brake pads I’m able to use. I have a buell lightning 2009. Any help?
It depends whether you have the XB12 Lightning or XB9 Lightning. Front brakes are different, but rear brakes should be the same. Use the bike selector on our site to verify. -DrewZilla
*XB12 Front: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ebc-fa4544hh-double-h-sintered-front-brake-pads
*XB9 Front: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ebc-fa345hh-double-h-sintered-front-brake-pads
*Rear: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ebc-fa140hh-double-h-sintered-rear-brake-pads
Please, What cleaning and lub products did you use? And What brake fluid should I use for a gsxr 1000? Thanks
In the video, we used CRC Brakleen cleaner and AGS Brake Lubricant, but you don't have to use those exact brands. As for brake fluid, your owner's manual will specify which type of brake fluid is required for your specific model year GSX-R1000. -DrewZilla