Bird pads

Just bought some brake pads for the Bird, front and back. How easy should
they be to fit? Do I need to do anything special with the linked braking
system, or is it just a simple(ish) job of remove calliper, wind back
pistons, replace pads, replace calliper and tighten bolts?

All those brake pipes look like a plumbers nightmare.

 

I don'k now about the blackbird needing any special treatment, but I
didn't remove the callipers last time I changed pads.

I wedge a screwdriver in between pad and disc, push the pads back a bit,
pull the pin. lift the pads out. Grease the back of new ones with a bit
of copper grease, drop them in, and replace the pin.

Easy job.

 

Probably best if the calipers are taken off but there is no need to
disconnect any plumbing so bleeding won't be necessary. If you do change the
fluid then there is a sequence that the brakes should be bled in.
Personally, for £5 worth of fluid I always think it's worth changing when I
do the pads.

Always useful to tie the brake lever back to the bar and wedge the pedal on
overnight. Brings the air to the top and produces a harder lever/pedal.

What pads did you get? I've always found EBC HH to work well.

Mark

 

I believe they are Armstrong HH top quality, but they have not arrived yet.
I finally downloaded the manual, its just a pin I need to remove, not the
whole calliper. Its only the rear that looks low, but I may as replace all
of them.

There are a couple of problems I have found while riding the Bird. The
engine is not smooth or even very happy at very low revs and the clutch is a
little snatch. The GSX1100F engine was much smoother when idling along and
felt to have more low end grunt (when it worked). The Bird handles much
better and doesn't half pull when you hit those high revs.