Well, decided to go ahead and change out my brake pads. Had it done at the shop last time as they were already changing the tire, so may as well. Apparently, I should have checked things when I got home. Now, I go to change them myself (been a few years, pads are inexpensive, so why not?) and notice this on the left caliper:
Did they tell me "Oh, hey, sorry, we wrecked the heads getting them out so we'll need to order new ones before we reassemble"? Nope, put them back and said "good enough"
THIS was a fun find
- bellboy40
- Posts: 988
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:13 pm
- Location: Brewton, AL
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE Candy Spectra Red
Re: THIS was a fun find
Crap like that is why most folks on this forum try to avoid going to the dealer for any service on their bike. This happens all to often, not only for motorcycles, but any vehicle as well.
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- Posts: 298
- Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:47 pm
- Location: El Paso, TX
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500A Aspencade
Re: THIS was a fun find
Yeah, lesson learned. The hard way. Well, the pads aren't too low, I just figured to replace them anyway. debating ti try to fix it just research a "new" caliper.
In a better note, the rear pad change went awesome. But I did realize I should have changed them a while ago.
In a better note, the rear pad change went awesome. But I did realize I should have changed them a while ago.
You ain't lost, you're just somewhere you ain't been before.
- LeYak
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 1:12 pm
- Location: Nederland
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 Aspencade, 1995 VFR750, 2001 GSX-R 750, 2013 Triumph Bonneville
Re: THIS was a fun find
That is simply atrocious 

- MikeB
- Posts: 3805
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
191K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
28K Miles - Contact:
Re: THIS was a fun find
A new caliper should not be necessary.DarthJ wrote: ↑Mon Jun 21, 2021 12:00 pm Yeah, lesson learned. The hard way. Well, the pads aren't too low, I just figured to replace them anyway. debating ti try to fix it just research a "new" caliper.
In a better note, the rear pad change went awesome. But I did realize I should have changed them a while ago.
Removing the pad pin bolts should not be too difficult even through they are chewed up.
Use a hand impact driver and a good ball peen hammer. If the the bit just turns in the socket headed bolt, then drilling them out will be necessary and that is not as difficult as it seems either.
A drill bit will pretty much self center in the socket head of the pad pin bolt due to the design of the socket head.
Use a bit smaller than 1/4" to start with. A 3/16" bit should work fine.
I do not remember the size of the pad pin bolt head right off but I think it was 8 mm x 1.25 thread.
The bolts have a beveled seat where they meet the caliper so a 1/4" bit will cut the pad pin bolt down to the beveled seat, just don't use too much pressure as you drill. You don't want to cut into the caliper.
When you get down to the beveled seat, the mechanical pressure applied by the overtightening of the bolt will be relieved on the threaded part of the pad pin bolt and that portion should just unscrew easily. If not, a screw extractor can be used to unscrew it easily.
The pin portion of the pad pin bolt should just pull straight out of the caliper when the side pressure of the brake pad is removed from the pin.
I know this because I have done it myself several years ago when my pad pin bolts were seated way too hard on my GL1500.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- PegasusRider
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:50 pm
- Location: Clarksville,TN
- Motorcycle: 1990 GL1500 SE
Re: THIS was a fun find
How do you know they even changed them? Maybe they stripped the screws when trying to remove it and gave up?
- MikeB
- Posts: 3805
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
191K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
28K Miles - Contact:
Re: THIS was a fun find
I don't think it makes any difference.PegasusRider wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:19 pm How do you know they even changed them? Maybe they stripped the screws when trying to remove it and gave up?
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
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- Posts: 298
- Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:47 pm
- Location: El Paso, TX
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500A Aspencade
Re: THIS was a fun find
MikeB wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:40 pmI don't think it makes any difference.PegasusRider wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:19 pm How do you know they even changed them? Maybe they stripped the screws when trying to remove it and gave up?
It really doesn't Same result either way, a pain in the butt to try and fix.
You ain't lost, you're just somewhere you ain't been before.
- Rambozo
- Posts: 2126
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: THIS was a fun find
If they are too far gone for a hex driver, you can try one of these. I have had good results from them.