Topic: 71CB500: Brake Pad Recommendations?

[Sjohnsone]

Looking to replace my aging front pads that howl like a banshee.  Does anyone have a recommendation on a specific brand they found worked best?

[TwoTired]

Honda pads.

They seem to work the best with the stock rotor steel composition.

The skreech is from another cause than the pad choice.  Dragging/ maladjustment, incorrect assembly, pitted piston, master cylinder issues, brake line deterioration, etc.

[Sjohnsone]

Thanks Twotired,

I thought it was just build up on the rotor, so I took some steel wool to it and used some brakeleen. There was a large amount of pad dust built up. It cleared up the screeching for about two days and then it was back.  There does seem to be a bit more drag than the manual recommends. Up on the centerstand when I spin it it doesn't slowly stop spinning, it rather abruptly ends after about 3-4 rotations.

[TwoTired]

When was the last brake system overhaul?  Who did it?  There are some quirky things about this vintage that are different from others.

Cheers,

[BobbyR]

I bought some Ferodos from vinbrake.com. They stop well and they do squeak a bit less. Your brake system should be gone over from end to end anyway no matter what pads you use.

[Sjohnsone]

Twotired,

I couldn't tell you.  I bought it and the brakes were slightly spongy.  I inspected the pads and they were in good shape and within parameters to the Clymer.  I bled them and refilled....sooo...I'm picking up what you're putting down here...riding around on a mystery seems like a bad idea in general.

[BobbyR]

It would be a good idea to refresh your brake system. I rebuilt the MC myself from parts I bought from Honda. Gave the caliper to friend of mine who sent it to his rebuilder SS piston, it was cheap at his price.

One thing that did make a real difference was replacing the old rubber brake line with a Stainless braided line. All of that together gives me a very firm and responsive handle. Each thing seems to have made an incremental improvement.