Z1OwnersClub GB

What brake pads are best for single disc Z1B? Stopping power with Vesrahs fitted is poor and squeel is real nasty (mine not the brake!) Don't want to change caliper/disc/go twin disc conversion cos they are all expensive options. Was thinking of fitting steel hoses coated in black PVC to retain original looks but want best pad material to make the most of them.

John,
I'd defo go the steel hose route & I'd have thought you could use the larger piston master cylinder meant for twin discs on a single caliper to give more pressure too

Roscoe, I too have had the same trouble with that brand of pad, so I understand what you are looking for. I thought I had the answer to squeeling brakes. I have read everything on the subject to silicon on the back of the pad, leaving the anti-vibration shims out, WD-40 sprayed on the disc surface and freeing the guide rods, even removing the rubber 0-ring seals on these rods. Still get a squeel!

So, do we need a softer or harder pad material, or just a different brand?
I look forward to the forums answer(s).

RegardZ

I fitted new pads to mine (Z1A) without the shim and yes the squeal was horrendous , I refitted the old pad with the shim as it still had enough meat on it and the squeal stopped.
Will need a solution once that pad wears down,wonder if its possible to adapt new pads to fit shim.?

Pigford, your right about the 5/8'' master cylinder, would get one if they were reasonably priced which they aint, unless you have lying around that you could let go to worthy cause!!! Does anyone not get the squeel, if so what pads, shim in or out ? Done everything with mine (apart from the WD 40 trick Garn ???? bet thats stops the brake squeel and increases your own somewhat), still squeels like a stuck pig and rate of retardation is worrying (does get you to keep corner speed up tho').

hi john, do not go the 5/8 m cyl route unless you are going to fit twin discs.larger bore m cyl will shift more fluid but at less pressure(you dont get something for nothing) . i have cured both my bikes from squealing by hacksawing two cuts into the face of the pad in an offset cross pattern about 2mm deep. refit with copper slip grease as normal. this fixed my z1 and z1b,and my wifes z650.

Al, I didn't have much success with the two hacksaw cuts across the pad face. I put my hacksaw cuts at right angles to the movement of the disk rotation, made the cuts about 2 mm deep and 1 cm apart.
Perhaps this is not as you did them... "offset cross pattern". Could you further explain this pattern? Also, where do you put the copper slip grease? Probably between the back of the pad and the piston to help dampen the vibration!

I agree with your comment, re- 5/8" M/C not for single disk.

RegardZ

PS. Roscoe, sorry I fogot to say, that WD-40 trick .. you have no brakes for the first 2 km, so I agree, your first twenty odd applications... you would do all the sqeeling.

Al, Garn, I'm running my 2 x disc system (GSXR) with the one caliper and its OK

Al, thanks for the hacksaw cut idea, do you mean cut across the pad @ 90 degrees i.e. as Garn has done