Brake rotors and pads

[Harvy]

I recently replaced the forks with FZ1 units, including the front wheel with OEM FZ1 brake rotors.
I did not replace the front pads in the gold spots I had on the OEM setup. They are aftermarket pads which were biting on aftermarket Kagazumi discs. With that combination, the front brakes were EXCELLENT........ great feel, and required very little lever pressure for rapid deceleration.

I now find that these same pads on the OEM FZ1 rotors require quite a bit more "squeeze" at the lever to achieve the same result.

SO

Frank, Eric, anyone else running FZ1 front wheel........what brake pads are you all using up front?

Cheers
Harvy

[WestOzFJ]

Hey Harvy,

just a thought (albeit maybe a dead end street), is the FZ1 wheel the same (rolling) diameter?

Victor.

[Arnie]

just a thought (albeit maybe a dead end street), is the FZ1 wheel the same (rolling) diameter?

The wheels are the same diameter 17", but there is a 1/2" diff in width.  Mounting 120/70x17 tire on each might make a very slight difference to overall diameter due to the "pinching" when on the FJ 3.0" wheel.

Arnie

[Harvy]

As Arnie said Victor...... same 17" diameter, ...... and I completely forgot that I had a Genesis 17x3.5 inch on the front anyway....

I believe the difference in braking effort is to do with the material from which the rotors are made rather than any size variation, hence my wondering what pads work better with OEM rotors.

Harvy

[Firehawk068]

Pads will take a little time to "wear-in" to whatever rotor you are using......
switching rotors, but keeping the same pads probably would change the feel somewhat until they wear-in to the different rotors.(slight differences in micro grooves, and high/low spots)

[Mark Olson]

+1 on the wear in time for the pads.

the fz1 is a 320mm rotor and the angle has now changed for the  calipers and pads.

do the light braking wear in thing and in about 100 miles it will be fine.

[Yamifj1200]

Harvy,
I am running the stock FZ1 front rotors and oem brake pads with the mono blocks. Works fine for me,

Eric M

[SILVERGOAT]

  I have an '03 FZ1 with steel braided lines that I have no complaints. Granted the FZ1 is a bit less weight, but braking action is still stellar.
  My '89 FJ uses an FZ1 master cylinder, Goodridge steel braided lines(FZ1 applicable) and FZ1 blue dot calipers with Gold Fren brake pads.  I started using this with stock 300mm early gen. YZF600R rotors and wheel which is a 17x3.5 with a 120/70r17 tire. I was not impressed with the overall performance and the rotors seemed to pulsate, so I bought a set of EBC rotors. What a difference! I think the EBC rotors must have less stainless and more cast iron because after I wash it, the rotors will haze over with a slight rusting and the brake pads will stick to the rotors. What ever the reason, I can say that this combonation is as good as I could ask for.

[tqmx1]

+1 on the wear in time for the pads.

the fz1 is a 320mm rotor and the angle has now changed for the  calipers and pads.

do the light braking wear in thing and in about 100 miles it will be fine.

Mark, the G1 FZ1 (01>05) have 298mm rotors where the G2 has 310mm ones (06> and up has inverted forks) the only ones that had 320mm rotors was the 04>07 R1 and they were 5 spoke wheels

[Mark Olson]

thanks for clearing that up. I stand corrected.

[racerman_27410]

Harvey,


I'm running OEM pads also.... i have tried several different brands and OEM seems to work best with my setup.


KOokaloo!

[Harvy]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Looks like OEM pads on OEM rotors is the way to go.

Cheers all.
Harvy

[ccsct203]

I'm using FZ1 blue dots, oem pads and Ducati rotors stainless lines and oem master
After upgrading from the 1985 setup i find this a great , night and day difference.

[Harvy]

Thanks all.... 

OK, I've now run up around 700Km on the new front end. The braking effort is starting to decrease so I am inclined to go with the "bedding in" replies as the answer to my question.

Cheers
Harvy