Checking brake pads

Lyam · Spanner Monkey Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Karma :

Is there a way of checking the front brake pads on my bike (cbr600f 99) apart from dismantiling the caliper?

Dazbo666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Karma :

Use an inspection mirror??

and for the record, dismantling the caliper is usually not required - I don't have a CBR, but for the vast majority of bikes, I just unbolt the whole unit (complete with pads inside) from the brake hanger so that pad inspection is much easier. Just be sure to avoid putting unneccesary tension on the brake line while you're doing this
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
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Lyam · Spanner Monkey Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Karma :

ok then mate thanks alot im planing on doing a 3k road trip just wanna make sure theres enough life left in the pads

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

You can see how much meat is left on the pads with the caliper untouched on my later CBR, look at it from a different angle, there should be some angle where you can see the pads.

If not then unbolting the caliper is hardly difficult, if I was doing a 3k trip I'd be tempted to remove the caliper and press the pistons out slightly, this would allow you to scrub the exposed piston clean with a brush and some brake cleaner, as well as inspecting for stuck pistons and good pad life.