Topic: CB350F front brake questions

[ewgoforth]

Hello,

It looks like front brake pads on my '72 CB350F are worn out.  The manual I haven't isn't very clear on how to change them.  It looks like the pads can be take out after the front wheel is removed.  It doesn't look like it's possible to take the caliper off the fork slider without rebuilding it.

It looks like the front brake on my '72 CB350F is a floating design, that it pivots around a pin that's sort of parallel to the fork slider and there's a spring loaded pin at the front to locate it laterally.

Only one of my pads is worn out, which leads me to think that it's not floating very freely.

-Eric

[kslrr]

No need to remove the wheel.  Split the caliper by removing the two large bolts that hold the two halves together.  Which pad is worn?  The 'free play' adjuster (the screw with the spring) was never that precise.  If too tight, the fixed pad would ware quickly.  If too loose, too much lever travel.  Best thing is to completely disassemble the caliper and check all parts, especially the piston and cylinder.  It can get really cruddy in there.

Have fun.

[Seyser]

Like mentioned it would be a good idea to pull the piston out and clean any tarnish that may have formed over the years. Put new pads on, fill with fresh fluid and you'll be set.

[ieism]

i just bought new pads for my 550f, and the outer pad is thicker than the other one. i assume this is the same for a 350.....
If there is more than 2 mm of thickness, not counting the metal plate, you can still use them.

[Gin Rickey]

I took mine completely apart because of their age and general state of disrepair...but I'll pass on this little bit of info. just in case it'll save you a headache: sometimes the pad can get really stuck to the piston side of the caliper (with silicon glue, I think).  If yours is a runner, it may be a lot easier to pull that pad out, but if it isn't...expect some sweat to get it off.  Whatever you do, go easy on the aluminum body...it dents easily!

[Drewery]

It's been my experience, changing pads over the years, that a lot of after-market pads are too thick in diameter and tend to bind. I even had to have a set of pads for a 750 machined down to fit. Weird that such a common part can be like that, and of course, usually all you can find is after-market. All you can do is check them against the original.
At least changing pads is an easy job. Good luck.