Topic: Perhaps this is silly, but can brake pads...

[Lavis500]

EXPIRE?!?!  I bought some Daido Safe D front brake pads to replace my old ones.  I'm rebuilding everything, and even though my old pads had plenty left - in fact the difference between the new and old ones is about 1mm - since I have no idea about age I wanted to replace them for piece of mind.  So I open my new brake pads, and as I take them out the nylon washer crumbles in my hands!!  The back of the packaging says 1984, so that gives me a general idea of how long they've been sitting.

I guess my point is will this kind of age have any significant effect on the performance of my brake pads?  I don't expect it to, but thought I'd ask some guys who have a bit more experience than myself. 

I also see people ragging pretty hard on EBC disc brake pads.  I have new EBC shoe brakes to put on.  Are those equally lousy/noisy?

[Duke McDukiedook]

They won't last as long as the Honda pads, are usually noisier but grip a little more.
They should work fine, I have EBC pads on mine.
Using the Dow vacuum silicone on the back of the pad works well to keep the squealing down.