Any tips on changing front brake pads ?

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kooky scientist
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Any tips on changing front brake pads ?

Post by kooky scientist »

Any tips on changing the front brake pads on a Roughhouse 50 ? I've done it 2 times in warm weather but it seems impossible to do in the cold.
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agrogod
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Post by agrogod »

The only real tip I can give you is get your litany of curse's ready. With just 1-1.5 mm to work those pads into place, it is by far the hardest brake I have ever worked on.
"When your mouth is yapping your arms stop flapping, get to work" - a quote from my father R.I.P..
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
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ender07
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Post by ender07 »

My tip is bring it to your dealer and let deal with it! I bring mine to them for that even though I do the rest of the maintenance myself...only cost me $50-60 I believe.
Roughhouse 50 - custom green paint job, Prima exhaust pipe, 5G rollers, 1000 RPM contra spring, 2000 RPM clutch pillow springs, 95 carb jet, UNI pod air filter, debadged, delobstered, PIAA Super Plasma performance headlight
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kooky scientist
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Post by kooky scientist »

I'm going to give it another shot on Friday when it's 50 degrees. I agree that they are the hardest pads to replace...
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agrogod
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Post by agrogod »

Good luck to you. When I did mine it I thought it was going to be a 10 minute job, 40 minutes later with neighbors covering their childrens ears and several new nicks on the fingers I was able to get them in place. Next time I just may pay the extra $'s to let someone else have the pleasure.
"When your mouth is yapping your arms stop flapping, get to work" - a quote from my father R.I.P..
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
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agrogod
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Post by agrogod »

So how did it go? Need the back story now.
"When your mouth is yapping your arms stop flapping, get to work" - a quote from my father R.I.P..
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
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kooky scientist
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Post by kooky scientist »

Well, I have 2 scooters. Had to replace the ignition coil and change gear oil on my Buddy 50. Took a break for lunch. Started working on the Roughhouse brakes and it was still kind of wet on my driveway and then the sun went away and it got too cold for my hands to work, so I decided to scoot in to Boston and have the shop do it. Luckily, he was ok with that and it only took him 15 minutes and I saw how a professional does it. Only cost me $20. too. The secret weapon appears to be that he grinds the pad down a bit to get it on easily. Just witnessing him do the job gives me some insight in how to do it consistently. We'll see how it goes next time around, but I think I will have more confidence doing it when they need to be changed again when it warms up.
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agrogod
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Post by agrogod »

Good deal with the install at your shop. And a very good tip for future installs.
"When your mouth is yapping your arms stop flapping, get to work" - a quote from my father R.I.P..
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
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theemptythrone
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Post by theemptythrone »

just did mine.

holy S#!~ that was frustrating
scoots greazy v MCgilacuddy.
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agrogod
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Post by agrogod »

theemptythrone wrote:just did mine.

holy S#!~ that was frustrating
Are your neighbors ears still bleeding?
"When your mouth is yapping your arms stop flapping, get to work" - a quote from my father R.I.P..
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
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theemptythrone
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Post by theemptythrone »

Hahaha seeing as we share a driveway then probably yes
That Damn spring clip.
Seriously
scoots greazy v MCgilacuddy.
Stinkdyr
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Post by Stinkdyr »

I have done mine on the 2009 RH50. Yes, swearing helps a lot. Also helps to have files, sandpaper, brake grease, and a C clamp handy. But you can do it in your driveway. Expect to spend an hour on it.
RiderK
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Post by RiderK »

Really quite an easy job with no real intricacy to it. But #%*€¥&@$ the fit is crazy tight to get them back in! I was even questioning if I received the correct parts. But after a bit of time, cursing, some more experience in the art of throwing tools, and finally patience, they fell in to place. Only to be followed by the need to bleed the air out afterwards. I got lazy and didn't clean the debris off of the piston before I pushed it in (my fault). It's actually a very easy job, but realistically is a test of physics and patience. Next time I'll bevel the leading edge of the pads and make it A LOT easier.
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sweetchrist
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pads

Post by sweetchrist »

so glad i read this thread. I thought I was just inept after this the minute job took me hrs.....
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take
--Gretsky
boyjeenyus
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I removed the front caliper from the fork.

Post by boyjeenyus »

then compress the pistons all the way in by prying the old pads apart as far as possible...it doesn't matter if you damage those ones. Then put it all back together. Hardest part for me was dealing with the clips and the pads, but it wasn't that bad. It took me about 30 minutes. I've also done lots of brakes on various cars and mountain bikes, which helped, I'm sure.
Hope that helps a bit!
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avescoots1134
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Post by avescoots1134 »

Once you do about 20 sets, you figure it out :lol:
R50Rider
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Post by R50Rider »

I guess this is going to be a bit more challenging than my motorcycles. It's always something. You'd think it would be a piece of cake considering. . .

When I first got the new Roughhouse back in April I noticed the brake fluid well looked half full. I thought it was an oversight until I popped the top and saw that it was already full and the false reading is due to the angle it sits on the handle bar.

Thanks for the tips!
avescoots1134
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Post by avescoots1134 »

My trick is to remove the caliper pin (the other 12mm bolt) and rotate the caliper body out to install the new pads. Sometimes it's a bit tricky to rotate it back in but it's quite a bit easier to me.
SlickRick
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Post by SlickRick »

It's all 2nd nature after your 5th beer. It's true sometimes they need to be ground down a little bit obviously take the 12mm bolt out and swing the brake pad housing out... I can't believe someone had done it without doing this. These are a pain. It really is worth having someone else do it that has done it many times if you ask them about there first time they will certainly tell you it wasn't easy. My first time I cursed with it for easily 30 minutes. Until I got them just so and went to put the caliper on and the pads fell out.

For those of you that are die hard do it yourselfers and also winter ride I recommend having a buddy front brake caliper installed on your R50. The calipers go longer without binding from corrosion and the pads are easy preazy to replace.
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