06-07 ZX10R Brake Fix (no really!)
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:29 pm
Hello 06-07 ZX10R Owners. I have done everything with these brakes including running a 08 ZX6R master cylinder, a older 5/8" master cylinder, a Brembo master cylinder, bleeding, back bleeding, braided lines, different brake fluids, different pads, different calipers etc etc, and every combination there after.
Here's the drum.
The Brembo master cylinder will stop the brake fade but not the "on/off" feel of them.
The 5/8" master cylinder also stops the fade but feels very woody and also doesn't cure the on/off feel.
The ZX6R master cylinder is a reasonable improvment on the original stopping the fade, but again, not the on/off feel.
Can you see a patern? No? How about - no master cylinder will fix that awful on/off feel of the OEM brakes, only that awful fade of the lever during track days. So what to do? Well, after much swearing, money and scrapped knuckles I can confidently say it is/was the calipers causing the problem. The 4 pad calpiers are just crap. I assume only the top two pads were initally biting then all of a sudden the bottom two pads would bite, ie off..........ON!
So change the calipers from 4 pad to 2 pad. That IS the answer. I have gone for 07 CBR100RR calipers which are the same as the originals (Tokiko) but are 2 pad. You will need to make 5mm spacers to fit to the caliper bolts (24mmx5mm with a 10mm hole) but that is it. Job done. I paid $250 for a set from the wreckers (findapart.com.au).
The change in brakes is light and dark. You can actually feel the brakes come on and off and there is consistancy no matter how light or hard you brake.
If you make this mod you willl be smiling all the way to your Kawasaki Dealer where upon you will throw the original calipers through their front window whilst doing a 100m stoppie.
Guys and gals, this is the best mod you can do to your 10. Reward yourself and get to know how proper brakes should feel. Change the calipers before changing anything else. If you are unsure take a look at the 08 brakes - surprise surprise - they are 2 pad.
Here's the drum.
The Brembo master cylinder will stop the brake fade but not the "on/off" feel of them.
The 5/8" master cylinder also stops the fade but feels very woody and also doesn't cure the on/off feel.
The ZX6R master cylinder is a reasonable improvment on the original stopping the fade, but again, not the on/off feel.
Can you see a patern? No? How about - no master cylinder will fix that awful on/off feel of the OEM brakes, only that awful fade of the lever during track days. So what to do? Well, after much swearing, money and scrapped knuckles I can confidently say it is/was the calipers causing the problem. The 4 pad calpiers are just crap. I assume only the top two pads were initally biting then all of a sudden the bottom two pads would bite, ie off..........ON!
So change the calipers from 4 pad to 2 pad. That IS the answer. I have gone for 07 CBR100RR calipers which are the same as the originals (Tokiko) but are 2 pad. You will need to make 5mm spacers to fit to the caliper bolts (24mmx5mm with a 10mm hole) but that is it. Job done. I paid $250 for a set from the wreckers (findapart.com.au).
The change in brakes is light and dark. You can actually feel the brakes come on and off and there is consistancy no matter how light or hard you brake.
If you make this mod you willl be smiling all the way to your Kawasaki Dealer where upon you will throw the original calipers through their front window whilst doing a 100m stoppie.
Guys and gals, this is the best mod you can do to your 10. Reward yourself and get to know how proper brakes should feel. Change the calipers before changing anything else. If you are unsure take a look at the 08 brakes - surprise surprise - they are 2 pad.
