On the weekend after a lengthy ride, the lid of a small container of oil I always carry came loose and it drained while ridding on the rear caliper and rotor. :shock: After getting home using only the front brake and downshifting, I power washed and cleaned the rear area. The rear braking power is still not there as the pads have most likely soaked in some oil. Question is will the oil burn out of the pads with use or should I just replace them (there is still plenty of brake pad left)?
If I had no other choice and I could effect a brake skid with the contaminated pads, I'd keep riding. But, it's best to replace them, as the oil has in all likelihood contaminated the surface and down a bit. Bruce
The pads are not very porous. If you were on a trip and couldn't get replacements, washing them several times with brake cleaner or lacquer thinner or rubbing alcohol would work. You'd know right away if they functioned OK.
So you're in a situation where you HAVE to skid out? Dude, where's the problem? If it was my bike, I'd find a not-popular stretch of road and just hold the back brake for a minute or two while moving at 50K. Even if you can't scrape the oil off, the heat generated would boil much of it off. If that didn't work, I would have my answer. If you go the brake-cleaner route, be super-careful as that stuff dissolves almost everything it touches, including your rims. I feel silly pointing this out as you probably already know it, but I've seen the effects first-hand of folks who weren't careful and etched their brand-new (car) rims... Either way, please report back and let us know what worked for you (I use a chain-oiler and may soon be in the same position, what a MESS).
I think maybe I'll try and soak them in some gas for a bit and see if that helps. If that fails, its new pads. Thanks
Take the pads out, spray them down with brake cleaner a few times. Give them a good blast. Also spray down the rotor and wipe it off. They will be as good as new. Don't use gas and don't try to burn the oil off by dragging the brakes, both are bad ideas. As a side note, you should be able to ride just about anywhere on the road (and even off road) without the back brake. If you feel you really need the back, you are not using the front enough, which is where 85% of your braking power comes from. If you rely on the back to stop you, will hit something in a panic stop that will be easily avoidable with proper braking. Also locking up the back brake does not stops you faster, it just means you are getting ready to crash. It really is never a good idea to lockup the back brake, unless you are squaring off a turn in the dirt.
They should clean off. I got oil on my rear pads sat night doing some maintenance before a race and didn't realize it. I had zero brakes when I test rode it. I had no brake cleaner and the stores were closed. I used a mildly caustic car wash pre soak that I use to lift dirt off the bikes. Kind of a mild castrol super clean. Wash, rinse repeat. I had about 70% normal braking and 5 minutes into the race, brakes were at 100%.
I finally decided to pick up a can of brake fluid cleaner (and not use the gas) and after removing the pads sprayed them several times. Soaked a rag with the cleaner and wiped down the rotor as well. Put it all back together and went for a spin. All works great again. Thanks for the advise. On another note (could really start a new thread here) it was interesting to read about the different opinions for braking. Personally when I'm on the road its always a combination of down shifting and rear brake, those two together get me stopped in plenty of time. I only use the front brakes for emergency situations. But I guess all bikes are different depending on size and weight of the machine.
This is what worries me and why I brought it up. You need to learn proper braking before you become a stain on the pavement. The is not an opinion, it is a fact. Proper braking has nothing to do with the size of bike you ride, all two wheeled vehicles work the same. The only time I really use the back brake on the street is to help keep the bike more level when riding two up to make it a more pleasant ride for the passenger. Otherwise almost 100% of braking comes from the front.
You absolutely need to be proficient with the front brake. It's the only way to stop quickly when you get in a situation where all your other options are gone.
I am also a guy that is heavy with the front brake. Too much some times #-o Going into a corner on loose gravel and being a bit hard on the front brake does not always end well.
My understanding was that 70-80% of braking comes from the front, at least until you start doing endos. The point stands, however -- front brakes provide the bulk of braking. When I last had my brakes serviced, I took the bike back twice because my back brake wasn't working well (probably because they used "normal" pads instead of HH sintered). They assured me that it wasn't a problem, if only because I shouldn't be using the back brake much anyway. They're track-racers and that informs their opinion -- when I'm on dirt I absolutely want the back brakes working (I don't have ABS so don't grab the front too often). I learned to stand on the back brake harder, and will request better pads next time. Glad your brakes are working again... it's a disconcerting feeling when you discover you can't stop!
OK, this will be my last sermon. If you honestly think this way, you need to give your head a shake and learn how to use the front brake. It could save your life. The fact that you think you need ABS to stop a bike also worries me. Some basic things that people misunderstand about braking: 1) If you brake hard you will go over the handlebars - Not true, most motorcycles don't have this kind of braking power (the Ducati S4 I rode might be the exception), Yes you can go over the bars if you try to do a stoppie, but by default you will not. 2) If I brake hard on the front the tire will skid and I will fall - Actually the opposite is true. The harder you brake, the more the tire grips since more weight is transferred to the front of the bike. This is true on and off road. In fact, its often a good idea to get up front on the bike (sit on the gas cap) in slippery conditions to get MORE weight on the front so you can brake harder. 3) I can stop fast enough with only the back brake - This one is simple, no you can't. The physics doesn't work that way. If you believe all you need is the rear brake you will become a statistic.
Almost 100% right. I use a lot of front brake, I do it automatically . I have to remind myself on sharp corners in loose gravel you can easily lock up the front wheel and slide the front end out. Im not saying don't use it, just be aware. If you like I can send photos of my helmet , bark busters and sworn statements from two witnesses. :mrgreen: I remember doing off road training where we locked up the front brake and had to practice riding straight in loose gravel.It is good training.
You're all scaring me. So many different opinions. Fact: greatest braking effectiveness is from the front. Should you therefore use it exclusively? No. You should know how to control all aspects of your bike. A controlled, level, uniform stop is effected with both brakes. Note: the front is most effective when the front suspension is compressed due to weighting. Do you usually brake that hard? If uncompressed and you grab the lever with full force, you could effect a skid of the front wheel. You've got 2 (or 3), use them. Be prepared and familiar with how they behave so that when you need them, you're ready.
I have read this thread with interest and may I ask with all due respect, you actually are trying to save 20 to 40 bucks on the most important component of your bike? [-X I will apologize now to anyone I may have offended. John ps: Hardy, if you start a "Crowd-Funding website" I will throw in $1.50 rather than buy you a coffee the next time I see you.
I promised I wouldn't go on, but I can't help myself. Of course if you use both brakes you will stop faster than with just the front or back. Of course if it is slippery the front tire will skid if you brake too hard. Of course if you brake and turn, the front tire has to handle both the braking and turning force so it is more likely to skid. But not using the front brake because of these issues is fool hardy at best and insane at worst. As a rider it is your responsibility to constantly monitor conditions to get the best braking. "If uncompressed and you grab the lever with full force, you could effect a skid of the front wheel." This makes no sense. How does the front end compress? By applying the brakes, it happens at the same time, the actions are not independent.
