Topic: CB550 brake pads

[Peashooter]

Are there any brake pads out there that really work well with the std. brake? My bike, as bought, had a new caliper installed and it is bled correctly, but brake performance isn't very good. I know it was never that hot, but whatever these pads are they are weak. Before I buy some, I wa hoping someone could help.
Thanks, Bill

[bryanj]

You need to check all the standard things before condeming the brake, ok they dont work like modern ones but they stop you well
Swinging pivot free
Adjuster screw done right
good hoses
Good master
Clean disc

[jaytee-nz]

In addition to Brian's good advice, I'd also check the disc itself. If it's glazed / really smooth and shiny, brake performance can be poor. You can get them machined to take the glaze off, but the easiest option is a replacement disc.

[newday777]

When you put on the new caliper, was the master cylinder emptied? If so, did you bleed the air out 1st at the master cylinder banjo bolt, then bleed the caliper??

[Peashooter]

The bike has new brake lines, the new caliper, original M/C. Yes, everything is bled, the brake is adjusted properly. It works, just wanted to know if there is an aggressive pad set out there that works better. EBC doesn't produce their HH compound for this bike.

[Stev-o]

...but brake performance isn't very good.

Can you elaborate more on this?  I have a 550 and the stock front brake system seems adequate to me [as mentioned, dont compare it to a modern bike].

Lets say at a 20mph roll, you squeeze only the front brake lever hard as you release the throttle, does it provide stopping power or does it just keep rolling? Does the lever go all the way to the grip? 

Although you state everything was good "as bought", to help you, we need to determine that it is working correctly first.

[Peashooter]

I think there is a misunderstanding. The brake works fine. I was just wondering what brand of brake pads works the best. You can always improve braking!

[bryanj]

Ask 20 people and get 20 different answers, personally i always used the original Vesrah pads and found them good, but that was before asbestos was banned! Now as a slower, older person i dont find much difference in braking but dont like metallic pads as they wear the discs

[BenelliSEI]

I recently picked up some EBC pads on EBay that seem to work particularly well. As suggested above, I also cleaned up the disc which I think made an even bigger improvement.

I use an old hub, mounted to a bracket in a large vice. With the disc mounted to the hub I get it spinning with a worn out pad on a 4” grinder. Moving the spinning pad across the disc keeps it spinning and gets it really clean. With practice I create a very “machined” finish. Flip the disc and do both sides….

[MauiK3]

Good idea!
I have drilled discs, I think they would cool better and work better in the wet but in reality I think they just look good. The upside is with a stock MC, the dual calipers give a little better feel at the handle. The handle does not bottom out.

[dave500]

I was in the same boat as peashooter,if the brake got wet it actually felt like you sped up when braking!
I found a place here makes a cast iron disc for these,come in solid or drilled,I also used a smaller bore master cylinder,the brake works well now but still not like a modern bike,it actually gets better once hot,I couldve painted the areas not swept by the pad but Im not anal about it.

[Peashooter]

I'll try the EBC pads, and I'll run the disc through my bead blast cabinet. Always really clean the disc well when changing pads. Especially when changing brands. I'd change the M/C, but I like to keep the stock look.

[BenelliSEI]

I'll try the EBC pads, and I'll run the disc through my bead blast cabinet. Always really clean the disc well when changing pads. Especially when changing brands. I'd change the M/C, but I like to keep the stock look.

I had a new reproduction master cylinder in some stuff I bought from another forum member. It’s one from Vintagecb750.com with a non original looking cap. When the one on my K4 started drooling at the plunger, I swapped in the repro out of laziness. It actually works better than the original and the original cap fit perfectly!