R100gs Rear Brake - Horizons Unlimited

**nigelp** · #1 8 Sep 2005

Hi,

Has anyone modified the rear brake on an R100GS for better performance (i.e. any performance at all).

Nigel

**petefromberkeley** · #2 8 Sep 2005

I just put some Ferodo brake pads on the other day. Still bedding in, but there is some improvement there. I'm hoping they will continue to bed in and get better. The key seems to be cleaning everything up very well- sanding the drum clean to remove old glazing or imbedded material from the old pads etc.

Do a web search for Vintage Brakes in California. The guy who runs the place is very knowlegable and helpful.

**Mr. Ron** · #3 9 Sep 2005

Welcome Nigel. May i sugest you use the search engine. You an also check out the thread from Sept. 1st HPN rear brake, this topic was recently discused and some good ideas came up.

**gsworkshop** · #4 13 Sep 2005

I have no problem locking my rear brake on dirt and as far as the tar goes, who cares ? I do not want to go on tar anyhow.
For braking on dirt it is imperative that you use good offroad tires like TKC 80's or Michellin Desert's. Keep in mind that you only have about 25% braking in the rear and the rest upfront because when you brake, all your momentum increase the wieght on the front wheel leaving the back wheel floating a bit but giving lots of grip on the front.
Keep in mind though that a locked up front wheel will have your head make contact with the gravel faster than you can say Sahara, but your rear, even though it might be locked up will still keep your bike upright and manageble.

PS. Desert's will only fit your GS if you change the offset of the rim and replace the rear mudguard with a wider Accerbis Baja.

**Philippe - Hannibal** · #5 13 Sep 2005

A topic often discussed - I've been standing on mine with leaded shoes full of sand, and nothing happens either.
Then at the latest UK HUB I cam across the following idea:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43213

Has anyone tried this welding? I'm planning to have it done on mine (I still won't risk using a lighter, so forget about welding! No chance I'll do it myself...).

So if it won't work, it's not like the braking will be worse, will it? So the downside is a few quids not spent in buying more lead to put in my boots...

[This message has been edited by Philippe[Hannibal] (edited 12 September 2005).]

**petefromberkeley** · #6 9 Dec 2005

OK, I did that welding modification. It's a little better.......I guess? I got the welding done for free, but if you have to pay much for it, I wouldn't bother

**nigelp** · #7 10 Dec 2005

Yeah - I tried as well. Didn't do anything for me, but maybe I didn't do the welding quite right.

**Vaufi** · #8 10 Dec 2005

Philippe,

very interesting proposition on the UKGSER page

Never heard of any such solution.

The probs with the standard BMW brake pads is that they're too hard, last a lifetime and are after a while pretty useless because glazed. Worse, the less the brake power, the harder the rear brake is pressed, which could end up in overheating the drum.

Try to get some softer brake pads - even if they wear off quickly, but without luggage I'm able to lock the rear wheel on tarmac. IMHO no expensive solution necessary.

Hans

**Philippe - Hannibal** · #9 10 Dec 2005

Well. I've come across a nice chap in Italy who showed pix of a mate of his who retrofitted a disc on the rear of his R100GS... Hello Brembos!

I will try to get the pix for you guys.