Topic: 400/4 front pads

[skidpan]

Hello all,

New to the site, and have a question that has been bugging me for ages. I am looking for new pads for my '75 400 and was wondering if anyone has a tip on the best pads to use for maximum stopping power on this bike? Wear rate isn't an issue, I just wanna stop ASAP. The EBC pads fitted now are lasting forever but seem to have the bite of a toothless thing. A stainless hose is fitted and the system bled with new fluid every year. There is a great, solid feel at the lever but no real bite on the disc, if you know what I mean. All hints and tips taken on board.

[Tim2005]

I know what you mean. I ended up having some semi-sintered pads made, which improved things a lot. Other ideas are different master cylinders (see other posts on here), different caliper, if you can figure out a mounting bracket (difficult) or fit the whole front end off a CB400N- again quite a bit of work but not necessarily expensive.

[skidpan]

You say you had some pads made?  Who, what, where? On the Superdream front end, well, I should have mentioned the bike is cafe racered in the style of a 50's Manx Norton, 5gall tank, single seat, number plate,etc  and the caliper and master cylinder are polished up so Comstars aren't going to do it for me. It has to be the spoked wheel look.

[skidpan]

I decided to try a '93 GS500e master cylinder on the bike to see if it made a difference. Result! Quite a bit more bite than with the original. Don't know if it is because the lever is span adjustable or not - the lowest leverage setting of the four seems to give the best result. The highest / biggest leverage setting almost seemed 'overgeared' - lots of resistance to the lever but no improvement in braking effect. The lowest setting really does make a difference to how the bike stops. Now just have to get the clutch lever down to the bare ally to match the GS brake lever. I would still appreciate any feedback on different pads to help matters further.