Brake fade... help

**325rocket** · 31st August 2009, 20:17

Hey guys,

I’ve done a few track days now and about half way through each session I start to get brake fade. It’s not too bad but it can be annoying. Any ideas on what pads I can put in that will last the session? I’m not looking for race pads just a bit of an upgrade.
Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers guys / girls.

**scroter** · 31st August 2009, 20:32

your rubber hoses will be the problem. they get too hot and flex to much taking more travel in the lever to do the same thing as when cooler. Get braided lines. It shouldnt cost more than about $200. pads can cost that much so its a cheap good mod that will fix your problem.

**325rocket** · 31st August 2009, 20:38

Originally Posted by scroter

your rubber hoses will be the problem. they get too hot and flex to much taking more travel in the lever to do the same thing as when cooler. Get braided lines. It shouldnt cost more than about $200. pads can cost that much so its a cheap good mod that will fix your problem.

i did think about braided lines but ive been told you can lose a bit of feel. thanks though i will look into it.

**mossy1200** · 31st August 2009, 20:40

hh sinter pads if your using on road as well.Braided hoses will help or at least change the brake fluid and do a good job of bleeding them when you change it.
If its your road bike make sure that your braided lines are dot approved so dont just get cheap lines from overseas or you wont get warrents.

**Pussy** · 31st August 2009, 21:53

Put Castrol Response Super Dot4 fluid in, too (it's the stuff in the silver bottle... Supercheap sells it even)
It's VERY good fluid. Another bonus is that it's clear, and discolours when it is going off (in need of changing)

**The Stranger:Me** · 31st August 2009, 22:07

What is the condition of your pads and when was the fluid last changed?

**steelestring** · 31st August 2009, 22:12

Modify some standard kwaka pads to fit and it will haul up for sure... I just gone back to standards as the sinterd pads were not as good..

Go for the bleed and higher rated fluid.. I reckon. Makes a huge difference!

Either that or sort your lines out so you dont need them as much hehehehe jokes dude

**Tony.OK** · 1st September 2009, 08:09

If its for the 600rr your talking about, the pads Honda use won't be the problem, I use prefer the stock pads over others, they have better bite and have never faded on me.
For fluid you can also try a DOT 5.1, its compatible with DOT 4 but has a higher boiling point, but make sure its not DOT 5, thats silicone based.

**sinfull** · 1st September 2009, 08:36

Like the others have said mate, fluid ! Get in the habit of bleeding a little fluid out after each track day as it does break down with heat and cause fade !
If your unsure what fluid ya have in it, bleed it out with a good product !
Like Tony said it wont be the pads if this is happening half way through a session (ya dirty old fluid's just gettin hot)

**The Stranger:Me** · 1st September 2009, 08:58

Originally Posted by sinfull

Like Tony said it wont be the pads if this is happening half way through a session (ya dirty old fluid's just gettin hot)

That said, if pads are worn (thinner linings) heat will transfer quicker through the pad into the pistons then to the fluid.

**325rocket** · 1st September 2009, 10:35

Originally Posted by The Stranger

What is the condition of your pads and when was the fluid last changed?

Pads aren’t that bad, getting a bit low though so might be worth changing. ive never changed my fluid. cheers

Originally Posted by steelestring

Either that or sort your lines out so you dont need them as much hehehehe jokes dude

smart arse haha (but good point)

Originally Posted by Tony.OK

If its for the 600rr your talking about, the pads Honda use won't be the problem, I use prefer the stock pads over others, they have better bite and have never faded on me.
For fluid you can also try a DOT 5.1, its compatible with DOT 4 but has a higher boiling point, but make sure its not DOT 5, thats silicone based.

willchange fluid tonight. thanks

Originally Posted by sinfull

Like the others have said mate, fluid ! Get in the habit of bleeding a little fluid out after each track day as it does break down with heat and cause fade !
If your unsure what fluid ya have in it, bleed it out with a good product !
Like Tony said it wont be the pads if this is happening half way through a session (ya dirty old fluid's just gettin hot)

fluid it is.

Originally Posted by The Stranger

That said, if pads are worn (thinner linings) heat will transfer quicker through the pad into the pistons then to the fluid.

they are getting a bit thin so that could also be the problem. thanks for the help.

how long should brake fluid last? im just hitting 10,000 with two track days... is this the standard life span of fluid?

**Shaun** · 1st September 2009, 10:39

All new bikes, are NOT bled up properlly!!!

It pays to bleed your brakes after/before each track day

Std pads are about the best on the market mate

**The Stranger:Me** · 1st September 2009, 12:03

Originally Posted by 325rocket

how long should brake fluid last? im just hitting 10,000 with two track days... is this the standard life span of fluid?

It's not a km issue.
The manuals often say 24 months, though you will usually notice a difference in 12 months.
I change fluid every 12 months - bikes and cars.
For racing I'd certainly go for the shorter period, but hey, you can't get better advice than Shaun, and if you did bleed every meet it would be being replaced over 12 months or sooner anyway.

I only ever add fluid to the bike from a new and sealed container too.