Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Rear Brake Problem

Like I wasn't havin' enough trouble keeping all that flyin' chain grease off the rear rotor, now there seems to be an even more serious issue. During the ride to work and back today, I started hearing a noise from the rear brake that sounds a heckuva lot like metal on metal. When I got home, I ran my finger over the rotor, and sure enough, I can feel ridges developing that weren't there a few hundred miles ago.

Is there even a remote possibility that the pads could wear down through normal use in such short time? I just cracked 6,000 miles, and there hasn't been any indication of anything wrong until now. Is it possible the caliper has hung (that's the only other thing I can think of)? Dang, there's no time to check it out further this evening. I'll probably just run it over to the dealer tomorrow.

My original pads lasted 5,000 miles.

My rear brake pads ran out before my front did. There were also some very minor ridges (I wouldnt even call em that) on the disc.
Your pad material has to bite into something and will cause said ridges...all very normal.

I think I went about 6000-7000 before my rears needed to be done.
Check your front while your at it....shouldnt be to far behind the rears.


Just out of curiosity...do you use your rear brake for control purposes during low speed manuvers? I do and I figured that had something to do with the rear going quicker than the front.

My rear pads wore pretty fast don't remember exactly the mileage anymore but it was fast. The front are still OK but I think that is due to the dual rotor set up. I don't apply as much pressure to get the same stopping power.

I replaced my rear pads with the EBC HH pads and they still look good with about 15000 miles on them. I don't use the rear brake too much when i'm riding aggressively. Mostly just around town.

My stock rear pads lasted 4500 miles. I was such a n00b. Rode the rear way too much. I think I've replaced the rears once since then (I'm at 42k now).

Over 16,000km (10,000) miles on my first set. Will be replaceing them mid way through this summer. Try to maintain a balance between front and rear braking.

"Is there even a remote possibility that the pads could wear down through normal use in such short time? I just cracked 6,000 miles,"

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Dang, just flipped 6K this last weekend. Nothing noted, but you got me looking THIS weekend! Thanks for the reminder to check.

I got 4600 out of my original rear pads. Found out when I heard this unique sound like someone sharpening a hatchet.

You mean this is normal?? They must be made out of cardboard. Seriously, I can't rember ever having to replace pads sooner than 12-15K with any bike I've owned. Anyway, I ordered front and rear H-H EBC pads from Fast Eddy last night. Hopefully, they'll arrive by the weekend. Thanks for all the replies!

Yes. Becuase the front brakes suck there is a tendency to use the rear more. Don't go too long or you will be looking at a new rotor, sooner then necessary. That noise is a warning!

I'm a little under 16k and I've noticed some jumps in the rear brake near the season's end. I tought maybe a good brake cleaner would do the job... but it seems like I should consider it good it lasted so long... No much of a rear brake user tho... More like a speed reducer then a brake to me.

I replace mine every 5K. On the third set right now. Not sure why they wear so fast cause I use the front brakes way more than the rears. Something about Americas and Speedy's, they all seem to do it.

16,000 and just replaced due to learning to manuever with them.
Happy I Didnt warp the rotor

I've checked our vendor's websites, and can ONLY fine "sintered", or other metalic pads, which I DO NOT want.
I believe the metalic pads do exactly what they claim, better stopping power. Why?, cause they really "grip" into the rotors, causing the rotors to wear much quicker (duh).
The stock pads have enough stopping power for my riding habits, and I'd much rather replace pads only, more often, then pads & rotors. (pads, $30.00, rotors,$200.00)
I have no problem changing pads, fast & easy.
I don't want to pay the dealers price for stock, and I'd like to support our vendors.
Any ideas before I go to J.C.W.?

Where do Kevlar pads fall in terms of stopping power vs. rotor wear? There's a Florida dealer on eBay who sells a front/rear set to fit the BA/Speedy for less than $30. I e-mailed them some time ago, and they say the pads are US made. Might be an alternative to JCW.