Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Brake Pads

Does anyone know what the composition of the OEM brake pads are for the America? I have a 2003 and installed EBC organic pads. I replaced the front pads today along with the front tire. I don't like the 'feel' of the pads initially. I'm sure they'll be fine once they 'seat'.

jay

Jay,
I have no idea what the OEM pads are made of, but the material is brown, and they don't last for..... very long..

I went thru 2 sets of OEM's then bought EBC Kevlars... I'm happy with them so far.

My rear OEM pads wore out realy quick but i'm still riding on the OEM front ones at 34000km

tapioca, i think...

cat

Whatever the stock pads are, they seemed to me to be harder than the organics, IMHO. To the day I replaced the organics with the HH, they seemed to have more "give" or compression than even the stock pads did. Switching to the HH pads from the Organics was a night and day difference with regards to my confidence in the brakes, and they don't dust even half as much as the organics did.

Grump,
That's exactly what I bought. I replaced the rear pads @ 6K miles. I just replaced the fronts at 10,700 miles. The front brakes are not as 'strong' as the ones I just removed. I cleaned the heck out of all components with brake cleaner before reassembly. I remember the rear pads were the same after replacing, then they work just fine. So, I assume the front pads will 'seat' after a while. I have noticed a slight clicking sound coming from the front caliper. I brought the bike home and looked over the caliper and pads (without removing) and all components appear to be seated square and properly. The rotor doesn't get too hot. I took it out again and besides the slight noise, the brakes apply smoothly with no vibration in the front end etc. Again, I expect everything to be quieter and stronger after I put some miles on them. I have @ 70 miles on them right now. (FA196 front, FA214 rear).
Thanks
Jay

I think your right! Geez, I would think one would get at least 20K miles out of a set of pads. The rear pads are thinner to begin with.
jay

From the way they wear, I think it's a composit of brown paper and elmers glue.

I emailed an EBC representative with my concerns and I did ask if they knew what the composition of the Triumph OEM America brake pad was. The rep said the composition was most like their HH sintered brake pads which have more 'bite' than the organics. In particular he said most bikes since 2000 have that type of brake pad. Therefore this particular EBC rep recommended the HH pads in favor of the organic pads. I never did get an answer when I asked if the HH pads would noticeably increase rotor wear. I guess a floating rotor would be a nice replacement over the OEM. But, I suppose they aren't cheap.

Here's a quote from EBC:
"You will be better off with our US Made, EBC Double H sintered pad's, which are like the OEM Triumph pad's !

The GG rated organic pad's do not have near the bite as sintered HH pad's !"

ride safe ya'all!

Jay

I don't see where you say what manufacturer those part #'s are for. Also how much they were.

Just got a quote for the Triumph's front $51.50 & rear $41.20. Then I went to Cycle gear and what they have are made by Galfer for $29.95 a set but they are recomending the same part # for both front and rear so I don't feel comfortable with that.

I got copper sintered for rear from Brent. Stock rears lasted about 5000 miles, didn't wear out, but were paper thin. Copper ones didn't seem to grab initially, but now I find myself locking up rear. Looked at package the other day, says right on there 200 miles to break in.