Riding minus one brake pad?

[Jonathan]

I just bought a bike here in Sydney - A GPX750R. Trouble is is that one of the front brake pads dropped out the first day. I can't get it fixed until next Monday. My question is - can I still ride it in the time being (about 20km a day, too and from work) or will this ruin the disk and/or caliper pistons? I am not using the front brake when I ride until I get it fixed.

[onearmedbandit]

I just bought a bike here in Sydney - A GPX750R. Trouble is is that one of the front brake pads dropped out the first day. I can't get it fixed until next Monday. My question is - can I still ride it in the time being (about 20km a day, too and from work) or will this ruin the disk and/or caliper pistons? I am not using the front brake when I ride until I get it fixed.

I wouldn't be touching the bike. In an emergency braking situation your brain will tell your right hand to grab the anchors. Don't risk it.

[onearmedbandit]

BTW, up to 85% of braking is generally done with the front brakes, because they are the only truly effective braking system on the bike. Want to rely on that last 15%?

[Jonathan]

Indeed, except my morning commute is in heavy traffic with little opportunity to filter or go over 70kmph. Also it has dual front disks so the stopping power is pretty much still there in an emergency. But, you are probably still right - safety should lose out to laziness.

[imdying]

Ask yourself, would you happy if all the other motorists you share the road with had braking systems with major problems?

[White trash]

This thread is a troll right?

[neels]

It'll be fine.

If the piston comes completely out of the caliper and empties the brake fluid all over your leg, you can just stick a new piston in when you replace the brake pad, and brake fluid is cheap.

Or not.....

[Juzz976]

Your piston/pistons will contact the disc rotor, they may heat up and boil you fluid, or they may just fall out and leave you with no brakes at all and more $$ to repair.

I sure as hell wouldn't be riding it.

[onearmedbandit]

Indeed, except my morning commute is in heavy traffic with little opportunity to filter or go over 70kmph.

What? We don't need brakes below 70km/h? Why did no one ever tell me this!!


Also it has dual front disks so the stopping power is pretty much still there in an emergency. But, you are probably still right - safety should lose out to laziness.

Not if my thinking is correct, as the fluid will follow the path of least resistance (the piston without the pad to push against) meaning all you'll end up achieving is pushing the piston against the face of the disc, and all that extra travel will take up most of your fluid, leaving a bike with a metal piston pushing against a metal disc and the rest of your brakes asking 'wtf happened there bro?'.


This thread is a troll right?

I thought this too. But I erred on the side of it being serious in case it wasn't.

[Str8 Jacket]

You from Darwin mate?

Dork.

[hayd3n]

if you needed to get somewhere on that bike
id sugget











































taking a bus

[bogan]

Not if my thinking is correct, as the fluid will follow the path of least resistance (the piston without the pad to push against) meaning all you'll end up achieving is pushing the piston against the face of the disc, and all that extra travel will take up most of your fluid, leaving a bike with a metal piston pushing against a metal disc and the rest of your brakes asking 'wtf happened there bro?'.

Even worse I reckon, the displaced fluid will only push the piston bout 10% of the way to the disc each pump. So if your first pump is an emergency situation (like if you had used the rear the rest of trip), no front brakes, kiss your ass goodbye.

I would think it's a troll, but he is in aussie so not sure...

[Owl]

That bike certainly won't stop in 2 metres from 60kph.:no:

[bogan]

That bike certainly won't stop in 2 metres from 60kph.:no:

sure it will, 70kmhr commute with no brakes, the only way it'll stop is rapidly :facepalm:

[schrodingers cat]

Get some doner pads and drill, hacksaw etc until they fit (pad not the calliper)
Problem solved

[george formby]

Fold up a bit of cardboard & blu tack that onto the piston. Jobs a good un.

[george formby]

By the way, I was not being serious. You would have to wrap the cardboard in tinfoil just in case it rained.

[nothingflash]

You are joking right? :facepalm:

[george formby]

You are joking right? :facepalm:

Ohhhh yes!:yes:

[Taz]

Johnathon ask yourself this question "Are you fuckin retarded?"

[nothingflash]

Ohhhh yes!:yes:

Nah - not you mate - the knob who asked the original question!

The tin foil would scratch the disc anyway :scratch:

[Str8 Jacket]

Johnathon ask yourself this question "Are you fuckin retarded?"

Mate, that's a bit mean aint it.....

[nothingflash]

Mate, that's a bit mean aint it.....

I'll say - way to insult retards...

[george formby]

Nah - not you mate - the knob who asked the original question!

The tin foil would scratch the disc anyway :scratch:

Never thought of the risk to the disk. Would not want to be responsible for that sort of damage.:shit:

[Str8 Jacket]

I'll say - way to insult retards...

Retards are people too you know....

[Taz]

I apologise to all the retards out there, sorry. This guy obviously surpasses you all :lol:

At least you've raised the iQ of both countries by going to Aus....

[jonbuoy]

If you can find where the brake line splits into two from the master cylinder and block off/disconnect the duff caliper completely it would be ok. If I was stuck by the side of the road I might even try clamping the piston inside the caliper but don´t ride it without a pad in or something to stop the piston moving.

[Jonathan]

Right, problem solved, I have jammed a thin piece of wood between the calliper and the disk and now it runs no sweat!

[schrodingers cat]

Right, problem solved, I have jammed a thin piece of wood between the calliper and the disk and now it runs no sweat!

How very 'Burt Munro' of you.

I think your biggest mistake in all this was solicting advice/opinion

[Mully]

Jesus Christ - no wonder we're cannon fodder for ACC.

[scumdog]

It'll be fine.

If the piston comes completely out of the caliper and empties the brake fluid all over your leg, you can just stick a new piston in when you replace the brake pad, and brake fluid is cheap.

Or not.....

Kinda sums up my thoughts too...:blink:

[scumdog]

Right, problem solved, I have jammed a thin piece of wood between the calliper and the disk and now it runs no sweat!

Actually did that once with a spanner taped between the pads.

It was on a caliper that had lost its mounting-bolt and was in the process of parting company with the bike:shit:

And had the whole shebang taped to the fork.

The bike had twin discs so still stopped OK.

Got it fixed next morning as soon-as.

[Jonathan]

I think your biggest mistake in all this was solicting advice/opinion

Ah, I haven't had a good ol' kiwibiker flaming in the longest of times. It makes me rather home sick.

I guess I can live without my bike for one more day. I will take it into the shop on Friday and bring it home on Monday evening - in shorts singlet and thongs of course. It's the true blue Aussie way mate!

[scracha]

The bike had twin discs so still stopped OK.

Got it fixed next morning as soon-as.

Cripes, I struggled to haul up my ol lardy GPX750 with 2 calipers, never mind one. They run fuckin hot too (this was in Scotland, never mind Aus) so I wouldn't fancy cooking in traffic on one.

More curious about what complete bastard fitted the front pads in a manner that they could fall out.

[White trash]

Right, problem solved, I have jammed a thin piece of wood between the calliper and the disk and now it runs no sweat!

Now I know it's a troll.

[Jonathan]

Actually did that once with a spanner taped between the pads.

It was on a caliper that had lost its mounting-bolt and was in the process of parting company with the bike:shit:

And had the whole shebang taped to the fork.

The bike had twin discs so still stopped OK.

Got it fixed next morning as soon-as.

Brilliant!

[Jonathan]

Cripes, I struggled to haul up my ol lardy GPX750 with 2 calipers, never mind one. They run fuckin hot too (this was in Scotland, never mind Aus) so I wouldn't fancy cooking in traffic on one.

Yep, it is like sitting with a fan heater between your legs in the 35 degree Sydney heat.




More curious about what complete bastard fitted the front pads in a manner that they could fall out.

So am I, I test rided it for about half an hour on the highway, took it back into the garage and right when I was rolling it into a parking space I suddenly had no breaks. Looked down and there was my brake pad. It looks unused so I think it was only just put in.

I am lucky to be alive.

[Katman]

I am lucky to be alive.

Judging by your original post I didn't think you were particularly bothered.

[SMOKEU]

What do you need brakes for? They only add unnecessary weight. While you're at it, drill some holes in the frame like that dude did to a ZX10R. You know the one I'm talking about!

[The Pastor]

I would remove the brake system and go for a small ride around the suburbs to test if you feel comfortable riding with what is effectively no brakes.

[scracha]

Yep, it is like sitting with a fan heater between your legs in the 35 degree Sydney heat.

Shhhhh....the GPX600 is a nice cheap underrated bike, I had one for 3 years.
Shhhhh....the GPX750 is an overweight, overpriced, lardy, piece of underbraked shite. I had one for about....3 months
I once got a puncture on my GPX750 commuting to work and as the handling was so shite, I didn't even notice until a workmate pointed it out when I parked it. They're THAT bad.

You'll marvel at it's power on the motorway.
You'll gasp when it fucks out from carb icing.
You'll cringe at how shit the brakes are even after it's fixed.
You'll scream at the price of Kawasaki parts.
Treat it to a wash and flick it ASAP.




Looked down and there was my brake pad. It looks unused so I think it was only just put in.

Can't you just shoehorn in a split pin or bit of metal to stop it popping out again?

Sheesh...didn't you guys watch MacGyver?

[Jonathan]

Shhhhh....the GPX600 is a nice cheap underrated bike, I had one for 3 years.
Shhhhh....the GPX750 is an overweight, overpriced, lardy, piece of underbraked shite. I had one for about....3 months
I once got a puncture on my GPX750 commuting to work and as the handling was so shite, I didn't even notice until a workmate pointed it out when I parked it. They're THAT bad.

You'll marvel at it's power on the motorway.
You'll gasp when it fucks out from carb icing.
You'll cringe at how shit the brakes are even after it's fixed.
You'll scream at the price of Kawasaki parts.
Treat it to a wash and flick it ASAP.


Nah, I like a bike with a bit of character. But I am only going to ride it until the rego runs out in August and then I am selling it for whatever I can get and heading to another country.



Can't you just shoehorn in a split pin or bit of metal to stop it popping out again?

Sheesh...didn't you guys watch MacGyver?

I took to it with a butter knife but failed. I am a little under resourced at the moment.

[jellywrestler]

Retards are people too you know....
Yep KFC have even clicked onto this with a new "Downs Syndrome meal" package
they say it's window licking good!

[Virago]

Right, problem solved, I have jammed a thin piece of wood between the calliper and the disk and now it runs no sweat!

Sherv...! Is that you...?

[Mom]

Jesus Christ - no wonder we're cannon fodder for ACC.

Relax, he is in Aussie :yes:

[Katman]

Relax, he is in Aussie :yes:

Any chance we can make sure he stays there?

[Mom]

Any chance we can make sure he stays there?

Fairly good odds if he keeps riding with a spanner instead of front brakes I am picking. Ixions gene-o-clean very much in action here :yes:

[Pixie]

I just bought a bike here in Sydney - A GPX750R. Trouble is is that one of the front brake pads dropped out the first day. I can't get it fixed until next Monday. My question is - can I still ride it in the time being (about 20km a day, too and from work) or will this ruin the disk and/or caliper pistons? I am not using the front brake when I ride until I get it fixed.

Yes you can.

Use your feet to stop in an emergency.

I love to help out - in this case I'm helping the human gene pool.

[racefactory]

If you don't use the front brake you're a fucking idiot... It's THE brake. Rear brake is not even a brake, more like a tool for correcting wheelies and tightening a line into fast corners.