05-08-2025, 08:19 AM
In the latest episode of my attempts to Squelch the Squeek, I put a pack of adhesive shims on the original Honda factory pads that I removed in my first attempt to cure the problem.
Original factory front brake pads, cleaned and ready to go.
Calipers dismounted and cleaned to almost new!
Adhesive brake pad shims, 4 per pack.
Shims applied and cut to fit with a sharp knife.
After putting the pads and springs back in the calipers with some fresh new 3M silicone on the slide bolts, I pumped the brakes a bit to move the pistons back out and was ready to give them a test ride.
I took the bike on a ride up a local canyon and was very ginger with braking initially since these pads definitely aren't properly seated any longer. After running the pads gently for a while, I rode them in pretty hard coming back down the canyon. The squeal reduction with this attempt has turned out to be more effective than any other attempt I have made to date using all manner of goops, greases and pads.
However, I do note that while pushing the bike in the garage after getting back from my ride, the brakes seem to be dragging a bit. Not enough to make pushing the bike difficult, just enough to make a sound. I suspect that the thickness of the 4 shims combined with a set of pads that have barely any miles on them has made the brake fluid reservoir a tad too full. Since I am due for my annual fluid change, I picked up some Pro Honda DOT4 and will flush the lines and return the fluid to the proper levels and see if that remedies the minor drag issue.
Original factory front brake pads, cleaned and ready to go.
Calipers dismounted and cleaned to almost new!
Adhesive brake pad shims, 4 per pack.
Shims applied and cut to fit with a sharp knife.
After putting the pads and springs back in the calipers with some fresh new 3M silicone on the slide bolts, I pumped the brakes a bit to move the pistons back out and was ready to give them a test ride.
I took the bike on a ride up a local canyon and was very ginger with braking initially since these pads definitely aren't properly seated any longer. After running the pads gently for a while, I rode them in pretty hard coming back down the canyon. The squeal reduction with this attempt has turned out to be more effective than any other attempt I have made to date using all manner of goops, greases and pads.
However, I do note that while pushing the bike in the garage after getting back from my ride, the brakes seem to be dragging a bit. Not enough to make pushing the bike difficult, just enough to make a sound. I suspect that the thickness of the 4 shims combined with a set of pads that have barely any miles on them has made the brake fluid reservoir a tad too full. Since I am due for my annual fluid change, I picked up some Pro Honda DOT4 and will flush the lines and return the fluid to the proper levels and see if that remedies the minor drag issue.
2017 CB1100 EX | 2024 Africa Twin AS ES DCT