Quick brake question

[Smaug]

I had the wheels off my PCX the other week to get new tires on it. While they were off, I checked the brake pads and shoes.

The rear shoes looked good, plenty of material on them. (my PCX has less than 7,000 miles on it)

The fronts looked OK too, but I'll admit I didn't look too closely; they're kind of way back there.

When I start riding it in the morning, it squeaks a little upon low speed stops. Not at all on high speed braking, and by the end of my ride to work, it's not squeaking any more.

I'm guessing that the front pads are about worn down, and this is just the beginning of the squeakage. How many miles have you guys been getting out of a set of front pads?

[Mel46]

Brakes, especially disc brakes, have a tendency to squeak when you first use them in the morning.they get moisture from dew and they just need to dry off. My bike. Has around 5500 miles on it and it squeals when I first use them in the morning.
If you don't trust your own eyes, have a mechanic look at them. They shouldn't have to take the front tire off to check the pads for wear.

[Smaug]

If you don't trust your own eyes, have a mechanic look at them.

Whoa, let's not get carried away here!

When I did car disc brakes last time, the previous mechanic had not applied anti-squeal compound to the back of the pads, which my brother (former mechanic) said is absolutely required, if you don't want them to squeak. I'll make sure to do that when I change the pads.

[TheMaverick]

My bike is coming up on 32,000km and still on original front and rear pads - and I use the brakes quite aggressively - so there shouldn't be any issues there for you for quite some time. The fronts do have a wear limit line etched on the side though, which you can see from the front; I didn't find it particularly obvious until I knew what I was looking for, but it is in the user manual off memory. Also, the oil in the reservoir gets lower and lower as the front pads wear - mine is now getting towards the lower limit of the window when the bike is level (don't evaluate whilst it's on the kick stand) - if you're is still showing 1/2 to 3/4 full then that's definitely not the problem. I've never had squeaky front brakes, but I get a bit with only light application of the rear (it goes away with heavier application). The rear brakes also have a wear limit indicator (mentioned in the manual also). Hope this helps.

[you you]

I had the wheels off my PCX the other week to get new tires on it. While they were off, I checked the brake pads and shoes.

The rear shoes looked good, plenty of material on them. (my PCX has less than 7,000 miles on it)

The fronts looked OK too, but I'll admit I didn't look too closely; they're kind of way back there.

When I start riding it in the morning, it squeaks a little upon low speed stops. Not at all on high speed braking, and by the end of my ride to work, it's not squeaking any more.

I'm guessing that the front pads are about worn down, and this is just the beginning of the squeakage. How many miles have you guys been getting out of a set of front pads?

Could be a variety of things not to worry about. Cold pads/minor glazing/damp/dust. Try using them hard a few times and see if that helps.

[alx123]

Squeak will stop once the pads are warmed up after a few brakes.

Both rear and front brakes have wear indicator that will tell if the pads/shoes needs changing.

[Smaug]

Thanks fellas.