Front Brake Pad Change - Bert's How I Did It
 

My HOW I DID it video which shows how I changed my front brake pads is now available in the downloads section here: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/modules....warticle&id=47

I created a small video which is 25 MB and a large video which is 115 MB. They are both the same video.

I am calling this a HOW I DID IT video and not a How To video because this was the first time that I performed this job and I made some mistakes but I think it can still be a valuable tool for those attempting this the first time.

Also my video camera was messing up so the video is jumpy in some places.

At the end of the video I forgot to tell about replacing the master brake cylinder cover so if you use this video to help you perform this job please remember to put the cover back on.

Also I did not mention that you should put rags over the gas tank and under the master brake cylinder when you press the brake pistons back into the caliper. This is important because brake fluid can damage paint. Luckily the brake fluid that I spilled on the tank did not hurt the paint on the tank.

Don't know if I'll be able to watch the video because of modem a home but the rag around the master cylinder is a very good idea. Thanks Bert!
Dave
Ride to Live!

Nicely done Bert!

I'm surprised you didn't use any loctite on the caliper bolts. ?

Should I have? Does anyone else?

Not only no, but f:censor NO!

Next time done it would have pulled all the threads with it.

I don't understand. Why would using loctite cause the threads to pull out?

that's about what I was thinking...

also, did you address cleaning your pistons? once they've been exposed and get cruddy, they'll contaminate the caliper when you shove them back in, and possible ruin the seals which are glorified o-rings. Once those seals go bad, a person could experience brake lock up and or dragging I've had that problem on my goldwing.

Loctite is used to lock something in place. It is not to be used on something that would be romoved on a regular basis.
The bolt is steel and the housing is aluminum.
The heat generated by braking would lock even the blue loctite in place.
I use antisieze on my threads.
I also work at an automotive dealership and have seen threads pulled from calipers and brackets at least once a week.

Good job on the video Bert, thanks for posting it up!

If you look at or read the Sportster manual it tells you not to pull the caliper. I guess this was my first mistake. Not only did I pull them, I pushed the pistons back and never removed the master cylinder cover. Then, I cleaned the calipers with a mix of Simple Green, warm water and car wash soap. I also cleaned the pins, retainers and bolts. Now, everything looks brand new and the brakes work great. I don't use Loctite on anything when it comes to my brakes but I do use marine grade grease on the pins and threads...