brake pads Archives - Law Abiding Biker Podcast

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In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the different compositions of motorcycle brake pads. We discuss the pros and cons of organic, semi-sintered, and sintered brake pads. What does sinter mean? We're glad you asked. Sintering is the process of forming a solid mass of material through heat and pressure without melting to the point of liquefaction. This process involves the atoms in materials diffusing across the particle boundaries and fusing together into one piece. In simple terms, it is combining different materials, usually but not always metals. We give our opinions on which option is the best.

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Organic brake pads are made primarily from non-metallic materials, such as rubber, glass, resin, carbon, and Kevlar fibers. These materials are bound together with a high-temperature resin, creating a compound that provides effective braking performance while remaining quieter and less harsh on the brake rotors than metallic pads. Organic brake pads are often chosen for everyday driving because they are quieter and offer a smoother feel. However, for high-performance or heavy-duty applications (like racing or towing), other materials like semi-metallic or ceramic may be better options due to their greater durability and resistance to heat.

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BRAKE PADS

Semi-sintered brake pads are a hybrid type of brake pad that combines the characteristics of both organic and sintered (metallic) brake pads. These pads contain a mix of organic materials and metallic particles (usually copper or steel) that are bonded under high pressure and heat. This blend creates a balanced pad that offers a middle ground between the smooth, quiet braking of organic pads and the durability and heat resistance of fully sintered metallic pads. Semi-sintered brake pads are ideal for those who want a balance between durability and smooth braking, making them suitable for a range of applications from commuter vehicles to light performance and touring bikes. They’re popular in the motorcycle world and in light to moderate performance vehicle applications, where a mix of daily usability and resilience to moderate heat is desired.

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Sintered brake pads, also known as metallic brake pads, are made from a high concentration of metal particles (like copper, bronze, or steel) that are fused together under intense heat and pressure. This process, called sintering, creates a dense, highly durable material that performs well under extreme temperatures and heavy loads, making sintered pads ideal for high-performance, heavy-duty, and off-road applications. Sintered brake pads are best for vehicles used in rugged or high-performance applications where high durability and heat resistance are necessary. They’re commonly used in motorcycles, off-road vehicles, trucks, and heavy machinery, as well as in sports cars that need powerful braking in extreme conditions.

I'm going with fully-sintered brake pads and Lurch is going with semi-sitered

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VIDEO & BLOG-So, there are some tutorial videos out there on how to replace the front or rear brake pads on your Harley Davidson motorcycle. Many of the videos are lacking in certain areas or lacking quality. We wanted to make an even better free high definition tutorial video. Of course we did it Law Abiding Biker Podcast & Media style and did an extremely thorough step-by-step video. Money could not buy you a more detailed video on replacing and inspecting your brake pads on your Harley. We enjoy giving back to the law abiding bikers/motorcyclists that are so supportive of this platform.

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Free Harley Brake Replacement Video

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Other Useful Free Videos-Work on Your Own Motorcycle

For this video we used Lurch's 2008 Harley Street Glide and did the rear brake pads. The fronts are basically the same except they are dual front rotors. We used Harley brake kit #41852-08B. This kit also comes with a tube of brake paste. We show you where and how to apply that to the back of the brake pad plates. This is where the caliper pistons hit the plates and it helps to eliminate squeaking and noises.

You can save yourself a ton of money by not taking your Harley Davidson motorcycle to the dealership just to have your brake pads replaced. Imagine how much money you can save over the life of all the Harley's you own by changing your own brake pads? It doesn't matter which model of Harley you have, because after watching this tutorial video you will be able to do this project yourself on your own motorcycle! In fact, after watching this video you will

likely be able to change your brake pads regardless if it is a Harley or metric motorcycle.

You don't need a fancy motorcycle lift or have to be a “certified” mechanic to do this. It is super easy and you can do it right in your own garage or even outside. We do it in my garage and it was 100 degrees. Sweaty video shoot for sure. You can do it on the kickstand, however I suggest at least a motorcycle/ATV jack, so you can spin the wheel and visually inspect the rotor. The motorcycle/ATV jack I use in the video is a cheap off brand and I bought it years ago for $80 at an auto parts store. It works, but I would certainly like a better one when I can actually afford one.

We show you not only how to completely replace your brake pads, but also how to inspect the brake pads using the wear indicators, so you can decide when to replace them. Don't let a mechanic tell you when to do this. You can look at them and make the decision. We show you how to inspect the rotor and caliper while you are at it. You will learn how to turn the rotor and look for “run out”, which is basically warping of the rotor and how much it is warped, if any. An easy way to tell if your rotor is warped is if you feel a pulsing sensation when you apply your brakes.

Yah, and all in a high definition video!

If you have access to a micrometer you can measure the thickness of the rotor and make sure it is within specification. Measuring the thickness of the rotor is not really necessary until later down the road after many miles.

You don't need to have very expensive specialized tools to do this and I show you exactly what basic tools you will need to replace your motorcycle brake pads at the beginning of the video.

The best part is that you will have the satisfaction of working on your own Harley Davidson motorcycle! And let me tell you that there is nothing better than knowing you did the work on your own motorcycle and to your standards.

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