Can You Replace Motorcycle Brake Pads Yourself? From Checking Wear to Replacement Procedures and Costs!

What are motorcycle brake pads?

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Motorcycle brake pads are extremely important components housed within the brake caliper. They are pressed against the brake disc (brake rotor) to generate braking force through friction.

Brake pads are consumables that need to be replaced. If they are used past their replacement period, it can lead to accidents or problems. Furthermore, it's important to note that this can also result in being cited for faulty maintenance.

Types of Brakes

Motorcycle brakes include disc brakes and drum brakes. Brake pads are a component of disc brakes, so they are only found on motorcycles equipped with disc brakes.

The equivalent component to brake pads in drum brakes is the brake shoe, which, like brake pads, is a consumable item.

What are disc brakes?

A disc brake is a braking system where one or two disc rotors, which are disc-shaped, are installed at the center of the wheel.

Brake pads are located inside the brake caliper attached to the brake disc. When the brake lever is squeezed, the brake pads are pressed against the disc rotor, generating braking force through friction.

What is the lifespan of motorcycle brake pads? When is it time for replacement?

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Motorcycle brake pads are consumable parts that need to be replaced, but what criteria should be used to determine when to replace them?

The estimated lifespan for brake pad replacement is typically 5,000 km to 10,000 km of travel distance, but there are also the following criteria for judgment:

• Assess by the wear of the brake pads
• Assess by checking for abnormal noises

Assess by the wear of the brake pads

Brake pads generate braking force through friction with the brake rotor, so they wear down with every use of the brakes.

To help determine how much life is left, brake pads have grooves, and it's time for replacement when these grooves disappear.

Since the brake pads are inside the brake caliper, check the remaining thickness by looking in from an angle.

Assess by checking for abnormal noises

As brake pads wear down, you may start to hear a "squeaking" metallic sound when braking. If the pads wear down further, you might even hear abnormal noises when the brakes are not applied.

If you hear abnormal noises, the brake pad thickness may be less than 2mm, so if they are worn, replace them with new ones as soon as possible.

What happens if you neglect brake pad replacement?

If you continue to ride past the brake pad replacement period without replacing them, the base metal of the brake pads will become exposed and can damage the brake rotor.

When the brake rotor is damaged, it can affect braking performance, for example, by reducing the contact area with the brake pads.

This can lead to a decrease in braking performance and is dangerous, so regularly check the remaining thickness of your brake pads and replace them with new ones promptly when they wear down.

Brake rotors are also consumables.

Brake rotors, which generate braking force through friction with the brake pads, are also consumable items like brake pads and require regular replacement.

The replacement period for brake rotors is considered to be around 10,000 km of travel distance. Driving with worn rotors can affect braking distance and is dangerous, so replace them promptly when the time comes.

By the way, the cost of replacing a brake rotor is approximately 12,000 to 25,000 yen (including parts).

Reasons why you need to replace your motorcycle's brake pads

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Brake pads are consumables that need to be replaced, but if you continue riding past their replacement period, it can affect parts around the brake pads.

What would have been a simple brake pad replacement can turn into additional costs for replacing damaged parts, so replace them as soon as possible when the replacement period arrives.

The brake rotor will be affected.

If brake pads are used beyond their service limit, they can damage the brake rotor (disc).

If the brake rotor is scraped, the contact surface with the brake pads will decrease, which can prevent friction from being generated and dangerously affect the braking performance.

Brake System Repair Costs

If brake pad replacement is neglected and the brake rotor is damaged, the replacement cost for a single disc will be approximately 20,000 yen, and for a double disc, it will range from 40,000 to 65,000 yen (including rotor costs).

Although brake rotors are consumables like pads, driving with a rotor worn down by pad friction will affect braking performance, so early replacement is necessary.

How to check the remaining thickness of motorcycle brake pads

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Checking the remaining thickness of brake pads is a guideline for replacement, and this can sometimes be done visually or by sound.

In addition to the brake pads themselves, it's also important to regularly check the brake fluid level and the feel of the brake (the sensation when squeezed).

Visual inspection

Brake pads have grooves to allow for visual inspection of their remaining thickness.

Brake pads have grooves or a green line, allowing you to visually determine their service limit. Regularly check them, and if the remaining thickness is minimal, replace them as soon as possible.

Can also be checked by sound

As brake pads wear down, you can also tell by sound, as a "squeaking" metallic rubbing noise will occur when braking.

Furthermore, as the pads wear down even more, you will hear a constant metallic rubbing sound even when the brakes are not applied. At this point, damage to the brake rotor will also start to occur, so early inspection and replacement are necessary.

Brake pad lifespan

Brake pads are due for replacement when their remaining thickness reaches 2mm.

In terms of mileage, it's approximately 5,000 km to 10,000 km from the time of replacement. When the remaining pad thickness drops below 3mm, you'll start to hear a "squeaking sound" when applying the brakes.

Check brake fluid as well.

Brake fluid also degrades and its performance decreases, so regular inspection and replacement are necessary.

Brake fluid is light yellow or nearly colorless, but it darkens over time and with frequent braking. If the level falls below the prescribed amount, the brakes will not be able to perform their intended function, so check both the color and quantity.

In addition to checking the color and proper level of brake fluid in the master cylinder near the handlebars, it's also important to check if the brakes engage firmly when applied.

Motorcycle brake pad replacement procedure

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This article explains the procedure for replacing motorcycle brake pads for those considering doing it themselves.

We also introduce the tools required for brake pad replacement, so please refer to them for your replacement work.

Required tools for replacement

The following tools are necessary for replacing motorcycle brake pads:

• Box wrench or ratchet (12mm)
• Hex wrench
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Caliper piston pushing tool
• Brake pad grease
• Parts cleaner (suitable for rubber and resin)
• Rag
• Work gloves (for those concerned about getting their hands dirty)
• New brake pads

The only special tool is the caliper piston pushing tool, which is available from brands like Daytona for about 3,500 yen, or you can substitute it with water pump pliers.

Work procedure

The procedure for replacing motorcycle brake pads is as follows:

1. Remove the brake caliper
2. Remove the brake pads
3. Clean the caliper
4. Retract the piston and install new brake pads
5. Reinstall the brake caliper
6. Test the brakes

We will explain each step in order.

Step 1: Remove the brake caliper

Motorcycle brake pads are housed within the brake caliper, so first, remove the brake caliper.

Next, loosen the pad pins that secure the caliper and brake pads using a flat-head screwdriver and a hex wrench (just slightly loosening is fine). Then, use a box wrench or ratchet to remove the bolts that secure the caliper.

Step 2: Remove the brake pads

Once the brake caliper is removed, pull out the pad pins and take the brake pads out of the caliper.

If the pad pin is difficult to remove, push it out from the back of the caliper with a screwdriver, or tap the handle of the screwdriver gently while pushing it out, and it should come out more easily.

Step 3: Clean the caliper

Once the brake pads are removed, clean the caliper and the removed pins and bolts.

The caliper accumulates a lot of dirt, such as brake dust, so use parts cleaner to wash away the grime.

At this time, be careful not to get parts cleaner on the brake rotor and pay attention to the wind direction so it doesn't spray.

Step 4: Retract the piston and install new brake pads

After cleaning the brake caliper, use a caliper piston pushing tool or similar to push in the caliper piston.

For 2-pot calipers (those with two pistons), do not push one side in completely at once, but rather push both pistons in slowly and evenly, little by little.

After retracting the pistons, apply brake pad grease, then place the new brake pads into the caliper and tighten the pad pins just enough so the pads don't come loose.

Step 5: Reinstall the brake caliper

Once the new pads are installed in the brake caliper, reattach the caliper by reversing the removal procedure.

After the caliper is installed, tighten the pad pins and check for any looseness.

Step 6: Test the brakes

After reinstalling the brake caliper, before riding, pump the brake lever several times until you feel a firm "click" in the brake.

Once the brake feel is confirmed, perform a functional check, and if there are no issues, the brake pad replacement is complete.

Estimated cost of motorcycle brake pad replacement

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When replacing brake pads, you have options: either have a shop handle both the procurement and replacement of the brake pads, or you can purchase the brake pads yourself and bring them to a shop for replacement.

We will provide an estimate of the costs for each option, so if you are considering replacing your brake pads, please use this as a reference.

When purchasing and replacing pads at a shop

If brake pad replacement for disc brakes is done at a shop, the replacement cost alone is approximately 2,000 to 3,500 yen for a single disc (1 rotor) and 3,500 to 5,500 yen for a double disc (2 rotors).

In addition to the above labor costs, brake pad costs (single: approximately 2,000 to 4,000 yen, double: approximately 3,500 to 6,000 yen) will be added. The total cost of pads and labor will be approximately 4,000 to 7,500 yen for a single disc, and 7,000 to 11,500 yen for a double disc.

If brake fluid is also replaced simultaneously

The cost for brake fluid replacement, including the brake fluid itself, is approximately 2,000 to 3,500 yen for a single system and 3,500 to 5,500 yen for a double system, and this includes the air bleeding process.

As brake fluid degrades, braking can become less effective and the likelihood of vapor lock increases. Therefore, regular replacement is necessary to maintain stable braking performance.

Vapor lock is a phenomenon where, due to repeated braking, heat causes air bubbles to form in the brake fluid. These bubbles then hinder the pressure transmission to the brake pads, leading to a loss of braking effectiveness.

When bringing your own parts to a motorcycle shop

If you provide your own brake pads and only have the shop perform the replacement, the estimated cost is approximately 4,000 to 6,000 yen for a single disc and 6,000 to 11,000 yen for a double disc.

Compared to purchasing pads from the shop, the labor cost for bringing your own parts can be 1.5 to 2 times higher. So, if you find the carry-in labor cost too high, you might consider buying the pads from the shop and having them installed there.

When replacing yourself

If you replace the brake pads yourself, the only cost is the brake pads themselves (approximately 2,000 to 4,000 yen for a single set, and 3,500 to 6,000 yen for a double set).

If you don't ask a shop to do it and replace it yourself, there are no labor costs, so the only necessary expense will be the cost of the brake pads.

Summary

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We've covered everything about motorcycle brake pads, from their basic definition to the replacement procedure.

Brake pads are an extremely vital component for motorcycles, but they are also consumables, and regular inspection is essential to ensure they perform effectively.

This article comprehensively covers everything about brake pads, including inspection methods, replacement timing guidelines, and average costs when entrusting replacement to a motorcycle shop. Riders, please refer to this article.