Putting brake pads on the front brakes

[Comanche]

My trike has almost 25 000 miles. I was at the mechanics last week and asked him to evaluate my brakes. He said, " you will need them pretty soon." I do not want to not remember that when I should have installed them so I bought the NON OEM kind he recommended and will have them installed tomorrow.

Is 25000 miles too soon to be needing new pads? When did you who have replaced them did it?

Thanks,

 

[Comanche]

No one here has replaced the brake pads on their Goldwing Trike?

Had both sides done today. Watched as he blew the large amount of black brake dust away from the calibers and also blew that nasty stuff off the trike.

He also replaced my belly pan which I had torn up a while back. He spent two hours on it and charged me $50.00 I tipped him $20.00 and a chicken sandwich.

 

[Papa Zook]

That sounds about right on the brake pads. $20 and a chicken sammich? Nice tip!

 

[Gorilla]

No one here has replaced the brake pads on their Goldwing Trike?

Had both sides done today. Watched as he blew the large amount of black brake dust away from the calibers and also blew that nasty stuff off the trike.

He also replaced my belly pan which I had torn up a while back. He spent two hours on it and charged me $50.00 I tipped him $20.00 and a chicken sandwich.

was that a spicey chicken sandwich?

 

[Boscoporp]

How hard is it to replace the brakes yourself?

 

[tfdeputydawg]

How hard is it to replace the brakes yourself?

It's not hard to do. But, there are those that do not enjoy or can not do the work!
I looked at my pads recently w/20K on them and they look good for a long time yet. I'm a heavy rear braker and usually only use the front for the final few feet and to hold the trike in place.
Also, not sure why there would be an excessive amount of that "black dust" that would blow off the calipers or the bike I must keep mine to clean for it to accumulate that much:yes: That might indicate this gentleman is a heavy front braker and why front pads are needed at 20K:yes:

 

[Comanche]

How hard is it to replace the brakes yourself?

When the mechanic evaluated my brakes and told me what to get he did caution me against instlling them my self. He does some things not called for in the manual. He redresses with loctite all the bolts plus he torques the bolts to a determined pressure. He told me none of the Honda shops do that. Regarding the bkack dust, I squeeze the front brakes increasing pressure until the trike stops. If that causes more black dust, that is OK as this is my preferred mannaer of braking.

 

[07BlueCSC]

I had to replace the rotor and pads on the left side at 18,0000. The pad was gone.

The right side was replaced at 23,000. The rear pads were replaced at 27,000 miles and they were less than half used up. (California SIDECAR)

 

[1550vt]

It all depends on how you brake. All of us that were previous 2-wheeler owners used the fronts mostly, because that's where most of the stopping power was. A few of us swapped ends with a bike learning that when we stomped the rears and slid the rear tire. We had a bike that weighed a lot less than our trikes too. I could get 50K plus out of a front set on a 2-wheeler. I seem to be getting as good or better wear on the fronts because the real braking power on a trike is at the rear and I usually use the rears and only the fronts to hold her at traffic signals or light braking situations. I can see where 20,000 would be about right if you use the fronts like you did on your 2-wheeler.

 

[Jimsjinx]

Just a word on OEM vs Aftermarket pads. Honda pads seem a bit softer to me. They wear kinda fast. Good, aftermarket pads are much harder. Problem is, while making the pads last longer, they eat up your rotors faster than the softer OEM pads. Just my observation. jimsjinx

 

[chickie]

Just a question on using just the rear brakes. Aren't they linked to the left front brake? I replaced my front (both) at 16000 miles. Right side was still good and left was getting down, I hate to forget and run the pads to the rivets or metal whichever you have

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Just a question on using just the rear brakes. Aren't they linked to the left front brake? I replaced my front (both) at 16000 miles. Right side was still good and left was getting down, I hate to forget and run the pads to the rivets or metal whichever you have

Yep, applying rear brake actuates the front left brake. Applying the front brake actuates both fronts and the rear.

 

[kj5ix]

Yep, applying rear brake actuates the front left brake. Applying the front brake actuates both fronts and the rear.

Not on a Champion or Road Smith they are separated during the kit install.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Not on a Champion or Road Smith they are separated during the kit install.

You are absolutely correct:yes: I was thinking of the 2 wheeled Wing, not a trike:blush:

 

[ebroussard]

Ed

No one here has replaced the brake pads on their Goldwing Trike?

Had both sides done today. Watched as he blew the large amount of black brake dust away from the calibers and also blew that nasty stuff off the trike.


He also replaced my belly pan which I had torn up a while back. He spent two hours on it and charged me $50.00 I tipped him $20.00 and a chicken sandwich.

Hey can you tell me where you are located and who you mechanic is if you are in the Houston Tx area?
Thanks
Ed Broussard ebroussardjr@gmail.com

 

[DV Hamilton]

Have an 08 with little over 40K, have always been heavy on front brakes. They are still good but I am ready to replace now.

 

[Solidbob]

Honda OEM pads will get you about 20 - 40 K depending on your braking style, a hard rider less / I hate changing pads that quick so I opt for Traxxions Vesrah Pad Kit :
http://www.traxxion.com/GL1800-Brake-Pads/

And always get close to 40K with very little brake dust..... Great Pads

 

[JaysGone]

My trike has almost 25 000 miles. I was at the mechanics last week and asked him to evaluate my brakes. He said, " you will need them pretty soon." I do not want to not remember that when I should have installed them so I bought the NON OEM kind he recommended and will have them installed tomorrow.

Is 25000 miles too soon to be needing new pads? When did you who have replaced them did it?


Thanks,

Replaced mine at 21K. The brakes of my Motor Trike are linked so doesn't matter if you use just the fronts or rears.
My left front pads were toast down to the metal.
The right side might have had a few more miles left.
Im a rear braker. I figure the rears are a lot bigger has 3 or more times the pad. So stomp that rear and add front as needed.
Changing front pads are a half beer job. No real reason in my manual to pay someone to do them.
15 minutes a side. Taking my time. Your time may vary due to your beer consumption.
Im just the opposite on 2 wheels. Fronts then add rear.

- - - Updated - - -

Just a word on OEM vs Aftermarket pads. Honda pads seem a bit softer to me. They wear kinda fast. Good, aftermarket pads are much harder. Problem is, while making the pads last longer, they eat up your rotors faster than the softer OEM pads. Just my observation. jimsjinx

That depends on the replacement pads. OEM pads are FF. A soft compound and not very grabby.
Most aftermarket sellers will if you don't specify give you a set of HH. A lot more grabby feeling. :AGGHH: I can lock up my front with almost no pressure using HH pads. I don't like them one bit.
I always use FF and yes have to change them a lot sooner.
But its worth it to me to have a nice smooth quiet stop every time.