[mudrat]

I'm in need of some new Brake pads for the Strom.

I'm thinking Sintered for the front, probably EBC or Gold Fren, but will consider others if they are recommended.

For the rear I'm thinking Organics, probably Gold Fren, as they should give good feel and modulation when riding gravel etc.

Interested to hear what others that don't mind some gravel/dirt under their wheels are using.

Yes I know this has been done to death Mod, but all the searchs I've read so far (I'm still reading them) recommend pads not available in OZ ie lucas

 

[PeteW]

Gold Fren Organic/ceramic front and rear work best for me.

Nice forgiving pad that works well when soaked or covered with mud, don't squeal for weeks if they get grit in them and they have enough stopping power on dry seal to stand a DL 650 on it's nose 1-up.

The only time they maybe didn't have enough stopping power was 2-up. Mind you, I used to ride bikes with drum brakes so these disc things are a big step up

I have (eBay) wave rotors now (wore the old rotors out) and those make the brakes quite a bit better (plenty of brake spare even 2-up with those pads).

Pete

 

[dl1busa0]

muddy i got the pads from blair when i put gsxr calipers on and got a rear set as well ,rode birdsville and they were great in every conditon and still have good wear so far 10 000 ks. +1 gold fren......but highly recommend caliper upgrade.

 

[saturn 5]

Brakes

I think, along with many others, that brakes are the weakest point of the Strom. A few months ago, well it was December last year now that I look it up, I decided to finally start on the road to better brakes. First item was new pads, so on the advice of fellow Strommers a set of HH now hug the front disks. Hmm, must have got a dud pair. A little better feel with a little more bite but hardly what I would call good. So now some 10 months have passed and not one to be in a hurry I today ordered new braided lines, Venhill brand advertised in Torque magazine $109 delivered after about 10 days lead time. I expect that I will now find a significant improvement. I now plan to buy a set of organic (buz word of the noughtys) front pads and swap them about so as to decide for myself which of the two is best?....will post my take on these two pads.
The gixxer fix looks very enticing, does anyone have a fix on the cost of this upgrade? I won't touch the rears as I find them good ok as they are.
Oh a little off topic, I also ordered new replacement fork springs. After much reading I went for the progressive type @ .90kg/mm as I'm 80kg about 176lbs.
Now for more suspension travel!!

 

[dl1busa0]

saturn i bought the calipers in the states last year for $31.00 $40 to ship + blairs mounting kit with pads, rebuilt the calipers with new seals all up i think it was $220. but hey what an improvement but noticed the dive more so thats why the .95's sonics went in.

 

[DougInKY]

EBC pads, HH in front and Organic in back.

 

[mudrat]

Interesting you didnt like the HH's Brian, everyone else seems to love them.

Braided lines make a huge difference through Brian.

Well looks like organics are the go for the rear, so will see what I can source locally

 

[K1W1]

Matt Maldens company in Sydney (Bike Gear warehouse) are the Galfer importers and often have Galfer pads and ss lines at very, very good prices. I got a front set there about 8 months ago way cheaper than I could import them from the US.

 

[K1W1]

Hmm, must have got a dud pair. A little better feel with a little more bite but hardly what I would call good.

Have you fitted a fork brace?
That is the think that really makes the front feel better under braking.

 

[Donunder]

Mine are EBC pads-- FA174HH front and rear which is 173 I think.

I also have Blair's four-pot conversion, SS lines, fork brace, uprated forks and the forks have been pulled up 15 mm through the steering head.

It all seems to work well but I don't ride dirt so can't offer any comments there.

 

[mudrat]

Matt Maldens company in Sydney (Bike Gear warehouse) are the Galfer importers and often have Galfer pads and ss lines at very, very good prices. I got a front set there about 8 months ago way cheaper than I could import them from the US.

thanx Kiwi, just had a look and yes the prices are pretty good, but they are only showing the sintered's for the rear.
I've emailed them anyway just incase.

 

[happypuppy]

I too use the Splinter EBC in front and organics in back. Works well for myself, I never ride with a pillion

 

[perArdua]

Mine are EBC pads-- FA174HH front and rear which is 173 I think.

'scuse me if i'm muddying the waters, but my quick search shows FA174 for the organic kevlar rears and FA 229HH (Left) and FA231HH (Right) for the sintered front pads.

Could things be back-asswards in Oz?

(not to worry, it's just another colonial speaking)

All in all, thanks for the info, will consider these pads next time around.

Marc

 

[mudrat]

'scuse me if i'm muddying the waters, but my quick search shows FA174 for the organic kevlar rears and FA 229HH (Left) and FA231HH (Right) for the sintered front pads.

Marc

Just checked EBC catalogue and that information is correct.

 

[Donunder]

Could things be back-asswards in Oz?

Backwards as well as upside down it appears Marc.

A quick check of invoices shows that I have the sintered front pads and organic rears, which seems to be a popular combo.

Shows that old coots like me shouldn't rely on our rapidly diminishing memories. At least I got the brand right!

 

[mudrat]

Just got a reply from Bike Gear Warehouse (Mat Maldens) and they have the following Galfer pads available for the Strom

FRONT - Left 174 - Right 179
Organic
1054 - std
1651 - premium/racing

Sintered
1370 - street/touring
1375 - street/sport

REAR - 134
Organic
1054 - std
1651 - premium/racing

Sintered
1371 - street/touring

 

[K1W1]

If you are not in a hurry subscribe to their newsletter and wait. They have daily specials sometimes as much as 30% off. That's what I did it just got them when they were cheap then installed them when I needed to.

 

[SV Racing Parts]

Hi, you are right on the Galfer left being the 174 and right being the 179, Rear is the 134 on our bikes,

If you are a more aggressive rider the HH Sintered Galfer are for you, They do not squeal like the ebc are known to do and are superior in their stopping capability as they do not tend to fade when hot,

I like the HH Galfer with the organic Black 1054 compound on the rear, it is not as grabby as the HH can be back there yet has excellent stopping power,

If you are a bit less aggressive and more conservative in your riding go with the Black Galfer all around, Great stopping power and more forgiving if you get caught out in wet weather,

I ship the Galfer to Australia almost every day, They are $35 per caliper set on the HH Sintered Pads and shipping to your door in Australia is very reasonable so your net cost is excellent, especially when you consider that there are no tax costs,

Let me know if I can help you out anytime, I also have the SuperBrace Fork Brace mentioned in another post for your front end, it will help a lot,

You can Email me if you like at [email protected] and I will get you looked after right away,

Enjoy the ride, and best regards,
Blair

 

[mudrat]

prices @ BGW range from $25.00 - $39.00 depending on which compound you choose, at those prices I'll be buying local

 

[saturn 5]

Matt Maldens company in Sydney (Bike Gear warehouse) are the Galfer importers and often have Galfer pads and ss lines at very, very good prices. I got a front set there about 8 months ago way cheaper than I could import them from the US.

Help! I'm a little confused?? I phoned BGW for some info on Galfer pads and lines about 3 or4 weeks ago. The bloke on the end seemed a little evasive on Galfer and indicated that there was a problem happening at that time and they would now be unable to supply Galfer....You tell me?? Dunno.
Kiwi: yes I have a have a fork brace and I noticed a positive improvement which now of course is the norm but all is good there.
Donunder: Your set-up is what I'm aiming for, it seems to me to be as good as damper rod suspension can get to be. You seem v happy with it. I will also aim at adding more front suspension by the addition of about 35mm to the damper rods as I want plush suspension for dirt roads. I want to fit TKC80s but till now all US suppliers of this brand won't export...but...I have finally found one. Will order a set soon as I looove this tyre!
Aaaah..the search for the perfect suspension, it goes on and on.

Also I'm going to look at Pro MechA valving, looks interesting. Has anyone here had experience with these ?


WARDY In search of the perfect fork.