Author Topic: Feathering leading edges of brake pads  (Read 272 times)

Offline Athame57

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Feathering leading edges of brake pads
« on: June 21, 2023, 10:03:19 PM »
I've been told the need to do this might be why my brakes are squealing again days after doing a copper grease treatment. I've certainly heard of this but google isn't bringing up the answers I need and nor has the search on here. Can someone gently explain how I should go about this and try not to laugh?  ;D
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2 called Elen.

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Feathering leading edges of brake pads
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2023, 10:10:27 PM »
Certainly worked for me on my 550, just removed pads and filed a small chamfer around the edge of the both pads.
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1. Running resto,
1978 Honda CB550K3.
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1980,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Feathering leading edges of brake pads
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2023, 10:13:16 PM »
Whenever I fit brake pads if they are not supplied with a chamfer on the leading edge I just use a wide hand file and cut an angle on the leading edge.
If you look at the wheel rotation the leading edge is the first contact side - the other side of the pad is the trailing edge. I usually just take off the corner so as to speak.

Modern pads typically look like this - with motorcycle pads being much smaller in area you only need to angle the leading edge by 2 or 3 mm at around 30 deg if the squeal returns after a few thousand miles  repeat.

.modern pad by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

« Last Edit: June 21, 2023, 10:18:36 PM by McCabe-Thiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Athame57

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Re: Feathering leading edges of brake pads
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2023, 10:17:58 PM »
Thanks guys, I thought it would be something like this but I couldn't say I knew!
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2 called Elen.

 

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