Bike Tweakers - 2001 R6 Brake Pad Inspection/Replacement

The following is a simple "how-to" guide that should help in your installation of brake pads. You should read all instructions provided and in your shop manual completely before starting this installation.


1.	Start by removing the brake hose holder bolt and both caliper bolts. This will free up the whole caliper.
	NOTE DO NOT LET THE CALIPER HANG FREELY ON ITS OWN WEIGHT!
2.	Slide the caliper off the rotor and now you can take a better look.

3.	You can actually see the pads without taking it apart if you look underneath the caliper assembly. There is typically a wear indicator or groove down the middle of the pad. The tolerance is down to 0.5mm or 0.02 in.
4.	For inspection, cleaning or replacement: remove the two clips holding the brake pad pin in place, slide the pin out, and remove the spring. The pads should fall right out.

	NOTE TRY NOT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES WHILE THE PADS ARE REMOVED!

5.	Clean any excess dirt and build up on your calipers, pistons, clips, pins and pads and inspect for unusual wear or signs of damage.
6.	Now just put everything back together in reverse order. Slide your pads in place, hold the spring over the pads (making sure its in the right direction - see photo above with directional arrow), slide the pin in place and insert the clips.
7.	You might need to push the pads into place somewhat before slipping back onto the rotors. If worse comes to worse and you can't get them back over the rotor, you may need to bleed your lines a little to get the pistons back down in place.
8.	Install caliper bolts, tighten to 29 ft/lbs, install the brake holder bolt and you're ready to go.

	In some cases you may need to condition your rotors and pads if the new ones are drastically different from the old or the rotors have excessive build up. You will be able to feel and probably hear the problem if this is the case. You can use some medium grit sandpaper to grind down both the rotors and the pads to break them in somewhat.