new Falco discs and pads fitted - advice please

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SkinnyPinny · #1 Post by **SkinnyPinny** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:41 pm

Hi all, just fitted new discs to my Falco, they were supplied with new pads, marked as Armstrong, but the seem to be the same size & shape as the old EBC HH pads.
anyways, I fitted them , bled them, and over the next 3-4 days took it 'very easy' for 20 miles, then just 'easy' for 60-70 more miles, then rode as normal but started to put some heat through them.
I noticed I am not getting full pad to disc contact, the pad track is about half what it should be on 1 side, and two thirds on the other. I also get a bit of juddering just as I get to a stop.
I took the pads out and you can see what looks like severe burns on the pads, but its clear only 40-50% of the pad surface is being used
So, the question is:
Is there something I am doing wrong or a secret to bedding in discs and pads. ?
are these Armstrong pads known to be sh*t* ?
On previous bikes, I just put the discs and pads on and voila, a bit of taking it easy, but no problems like this,
I have roughed them up with glass paper on a flat block and it just seems as though the pads are high in the middle, but am looking for any experience or advice.

ta, Skinny

#2 Post by **Kwackerz** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:13 pm

The burns sound like you didnt degrease the discs prior to fitting them? Burnt preservative possibly? You said you usually just chuck em on and take it easy.. etc..

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:35 pm

Mmmm - think your problem is more than just bedding the pads in - however it is important that they are bedded in correctly.

This link explains some of the problems that can occur when they are not bedded in properly (often mis-diagnosed as warping) and runs through the bedding in procedure.

Bedding in Pads and Discs

Hope this, along with Kwackerz advice is some help.

SkinnyPinny · #4 Post by **SkinnyPinny** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:37 am

After thinking about this a bit more, I clean up the old pads and put those in and went for a spin,.......much better,

I think it is exactly what Kwackerz mentioned, the discs were black, something to do with the heating/hardening process they go through,
As I understand it, the coating is meant to scrub off with use, I degreased the discs with brake disc cleaner, but maybe not enough or maybe this cleaner somehow effected the coating making it burn easier.

the coating seems to have burnt on the pads, so I will continue to use the old pads to clean the discs, then degrease and put the new ones back,
cheers,
Skinny

fastasfcuk · #5 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:56 am

aaaah,you should never put old pads to new disk's

HowardQ · #6 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:19 pm

I'm using the same Armstrong pads.
Not heard the name much recently, but used to make excellent pads for cars years ago, and used them on my old rally car. Not sure if this is the same company or somebody who has just nicked the name.
Anyway I fitted them recently on the Falco front with existing disks, having given the calipers a really good clean up.
Have only one issue with them, in that they bite very suddenly even with very low pressure on the lever.
Probably just a combination of the better performance with HH sintered pads and the pistons now being much less clagged up after cleaning out the winter crap. Was embarrassing at first, kept doing unintentional stoppies, now just use one finger and gentle pressure to stop slowly from slow speed. Not quite as snatchy now bedded in better but still pretty sudden.
Has anybody else had experience with these pads?

#7 Post by **Kwackerz** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:14 pm

fastasfcuk wrote:aaaah,you should never put old pads to new disk's

Yup, they will cause 'wear raisers' on the disc.
The old disc and pads are perfectly matched; the /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ of the old disc matching the /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ of the old pads.
Put old pads that are /\/\/\/\/\/\/\ onto a new disc that is ----------------------- and your nice new straight and true disc will end up ^^^^^^^^
You'll also only get half the braking efficiency, if that, as well.
Best to bed new pads to new discs.

Syltiz · #8 Post by **Syltiz** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:40 pm

Kwackerz wrote:
fastasfcuk wrote:aaaah,you should never put old pads to new disk's

Yup, they will cause 'wear raisers' on the disc.
The old disc and pads are perfectly matched; the /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ of the old disc matching the /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ of the old pads.
Put old pads that are /\/\/\/\/\/\/\ onto a new disc that is ----------------------- and your nice new straight and true disc will end up ^^^^^^^^
You'll also only get half the braking efficiency, if that, as well.
Best to bed new pads to new discs.

I love that explanation! Classic

Thumper · #9 Post by **Thumper** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:51 pm

I use armstrong gold pads Skinny Pinny, fork bending once bedded in but it takes a good 800 miles or more! Not so good in the wet and much the same as EBC performance pads, this can be improved however by cutting a couple of rain slots in the pad material with a suitable saw but don't go mad now

Glass paper and a flat block

#10 Post by **Kwackerz** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:54 pm

Would this be classed as 'going mad'?

#11 Post by **Kwackerz** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:55 pm

You KNEW summat was gonna be said, didnt ya..
lol @ yer edit

Glass paper and a flat block

Goldie · #12 Post by **Goldie** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:45 pm

Kwackerz wrote:Would this be classed as 'going mad'?

No, that would be classed as f***ing stupid!!!!

...but very funny.

Thank God for people daft enough to build things like that.