Brake Fluid, Brake Pad & Rotor Question

[StaIma6]

Which brands/composite do you recommend for pads? From your experience, which ones suck (noisy, dusty, wear fast, don't grip good enough) and which ones are good (quiet, don't dust a lot, last, grip good)?

Brake fluid; any recommendations on DOT 4 Brands? Can I buy from local auto parts store, or no?

How do I tell whether I could use another set of rotors? Is it kind of like in cars, replace once you feel like they are warped? Is there a minimum thickness of some sort?

[Derrick]

It depends on what kind of riding you do.

[StaIma6]

It depends on what kind of riding you do.

Nothing out of the ordinary... I put on about 4-5 thousand miles on. A lot of highway and occasional mountain trips.

[Derrick]

I'd just get good quality replacement parts. I wouldn't spend the money upgrading the system, It would just be overkill for the kind of riding you do, IMO.

[BiggsRR07]

+1. Most of my riding is mountian riding. Don't do much commuting anymore. Right now I'm on SS lines and stock pads with synthetic dot 4 brake fluid from autozone and its more than enough for me. Don't remember the brand but I know its a blue label bottle, nothing super fancy. Only reason I upgraded to SS lines is because I plan on tracking it this summer and just wanted a better feel but I run upper novice, lower intermediate pace anyway.
Also look into getting your suspension dialed in. It makes a lot of difference.

[MX Tuner]

Minimum rotor thickness will be stamped on the side of the rotor carrier. The EBC HH compound pads are an OEM replacement pad that works very well from the first cold stop in the morning to hot temps. They work well, aren't grabby and are an upgrade from stock pads for a stock pad price. We use Motul DOT 5.1 fluid for most bikes but use the RBF600C fluid for track bikes. Either works well for street use but the RBF600C works great on the track. But the DOT 5.1 retails for about $9 a pint and the RBF600C retails for about $19 a pint.

[Fzgixxerman]

Second that mx tuner said.

[Mortalis5509]

Rotors are just a plain ol expensive upgrade that unless you are tracking the bike hard or just like blowing money you really wont need aftermarket rotors.

[StaIma6]

cool thanks guys. I plan on flushing out the old brake fluid and will hit up the local parts store for some good oil. Brakes are still good and rotors appear good too... just getting info for future purposes, should they be replaced.

[Mortalis5509]

cool thanks guys. I plan on flushing out the old brake fluid and will hit up the local parts store for some good oil. Brakes are still good and rotors appear good too... just getting info for future purposes, should they be replaced.

Rotella T is good stuff to use and its only 20 a gallon in a blue jug.

[StaIma6]

Rotella T is good stuff to use and its only 20 a gallon in a blue jug.

How much will I need for a flush? Gallon seems too much

[MX Tuner]

Depends what bike you have.

[speed-kills]

rotella is engine oil for break fluid a pint would be more than enough the to front and rear

[StaIma6]

well it says to the left what kind of bike i have so...

[StaIma6]

rotella is engine oil for break fluid a pint would be more than enough the to front and rear


thanks for the clarification Speed

[Back Marker]

non synthetic brake fluid absorbs moisture in the air. avoid prolong exposure to air and keep the area free from water. also note, brake fluid makes good paint remover.
after everything is done, you can use water to clean up any spills.

-a|ex

[Nikk777]

I've have ebc hh pads on the race bike...40 races, 25 practices, ~20 trackdays(5-7 sessions/day)..... same set of pads. About 4k miles of nothing but track miles on the pads. I bought 2 sets expecting to need a change but they don't seem that worn yet and still brake well. I'm not a heavy braking rider though... But still a good bit of use and holding strong... Brake fluid need to flush so no suggestion yet, looking for some ideas myself.

[02ep3]

Question on brake fluid.... I've got half a liter of ATE Super Blue. I closed up the bottle and even put the bottle in a gallon zip lock bag. After a year sitting on the shelf in my garage, do you think it is still useable? Or is the chance that it has absorbed water too much to risk? I hate wasting a half bottle of the stuff. But then again....maybe it's wasted already?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I wouldn't use it. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (or is it hydrophilic? I can never remember, but it's attracted to water, and holds it). I'd toss it and buy a new bottle. Brakes = deadly if done wrong.

[The Lazy Destroyer]

One year in a sealed bottle isn't terrible, but that's about as much as I'm comfortable with. I always buy new when doing a full flush, and only use the leftovers in case I have to re-flush after the first couple test rides or to use an a leaky hydraulic jack I have in the garage.

I think the general consensus is that after 2 years in a sealed plastic bottle, the stuff should be thrown away.

I'd use new stuff but that's just me. Fortunately brake fluid is pretty cheap unless you are buying the super high boiling point stuff for racing.

[02ep3]

Yeah, i guess i'll just chuck what's left in the bottle. It's only $14 a liter so wasting $7 is not as bad compared to wasting braking performance. I've already got a new, sealed bottle on the shelf.