brake upgrade report

[BK_856er]

It took a while to pull it all together, but my M695 brake upgrade is finally done:

- new Brembo narrow-band 320mm rotors
- new Brembo 4-pad calipers
- Ferodo CP211 pads
- custom Spiegler lines
- new 16mm Brembo coffin master cylinder (OE on my bike is 15mm)
- bleeder banjo bolt for m/c
- adustable CRG levers (been using them for a while now)

I bled things on day #1 and it was sponge city.  Re-bled on day #2...no new bubbles...still spong city.  Tied the lever down and left it overnight until day #3...success!

Rode it for the first time today and did ~80 miles in the twisties.  Fantastic.  Terrific feel and modulation.  Lots of available power.  Great for trail-braking.  I was worried that this setup would be "too much brake" for such a small bike, but I'm loving it.  The CP211 pads really seemed to tone down the notorious bite of the 4-pad calipers (I opted not to use the Brembo sintered pads that came with the new calipers).  I still need to finish the bed-in process, but so far so good.  As a side benefit of the component change, I lost ~1lb of unsprung weight since the new setup is lighter overall.  Not really a negative, but I did notice some temperature dependency during my ride...not totally unexpected, as the CP211 pad is designated as a race pad and works better with heat in the rotors.  I have zero issue with the humble 16mm coffin m/c.

I didn't find the OE 2-piston floating calipers all that bad for the riding that I do, but I wanted more.  In particular, on the M695 the clutch is super light and the brakes, well, they take some effort and are a bit "binary".  For me it created an odd imbalance.  A few months ago I switched to Ferodo HH sintered pads, which was a change in the right direction and worth the $$, but I still longed for more....especially after getting to know the awesome brakes on my track-oriented 749s...brake envy is a almost as bad as HP envy.  With the new setup I get a light clutch and an equally light brake - easier to be smooth.

I should add that before taking on the brakes, I upgraded the front and rear suspension and also the tires.  These brakes might not be optimal for a bone-stock M695!

Here's a pic.

BK

[b.]

Ok, I'll bite...can you elaborate on the suspension upgrades as well?  Also, are you running the same size rear tire as OEM?

Thx for the info!

[BK_856er]

Ok, I'll bite...can you elaborate on the suspension upgrades as well?  Also, are you running the same size rear tire as OEM?

Thx for the info!

Sure thing:

I ripped out the cheap internals of the non-adjustable Marzocchi forks:



And installed this beautiful billet stuff to give proper spring rate and preload/rebound/compression adjustability:



On the outside it looks like this:



And on the back I put on an adjustable ride height rod and a basic Ohlins shock:



Tires are Michelin Pilot Powers, in stock size.

I guess at this point it's an M695 "S" version.  Most importantly, the suspension is setup for my weight and riding style, and it's adjustable.  I'm still learning about and tweaking the suspension.

BK

[b.]

Awesome!  Great work and thanks for posting additional pics!    What brand is that ride height rod?

[speedevil]

I'm putting a set of gixxer forks on my 695 this winter, and I'm interested in the rear shock you are using.  Which model and where did you find it?

[hypurone]

I'm definitely a fan of the Ferodo CP211 Carbon/Ceramic pads. I hated the initial bite of the sintered stockers on my RS and the relative lack of modulation. It was ALL or nothing. With these pads and their Ductile Iron rotors, I am a happy ecstatic camper. My last track day was an awesome one-finger deep braking experience thanks to these brake components. No harsh iinitial bite, smooth and progressive response and power. They are also easier on your rotors than sintered pads.

A word of caution to anyone thinking of switching to these pads. As the OP stated, they need some heat. So if it is cold out or early on in the ride etc, you need to retrain your brain to drag 'em a bit before you get into the part of the corner where you are seeing god! 

[mmakay]

If the Ferodo pads you had in your stock calipers have life left in them, I'll pay for shipping to try them on my bike. 

[BK_856er]

If the Ferodo pads you had in your stock calipers have life left in them, I'll pay for shipping to try them on my bike. 

Looks like you're local.  The 2-pad Ferodo's probably have <1k miles on them.  How about if you borrow them...if you like them I'll sell them at half price...if not just return them.  PM me and we'll work out the details.

This probably applies to the stock pads as welll, but rotor prep and bed-in can make a big difference.  Here's what I did:

- wipe the rotor down with acetone
- evenly scuff the rotor with garnet paper
- wipe the rotor down again with acetone (at this point the dark color is gone)
- ride gently for the first few rides
- get some heat in the rotors...then do 8 consecutive 60-5mph HARD stops...don't stop moving during this time...you'll need to plan your route carefully
- ride for a good bit to let the brakes cool down and try not to use them too much
(- if you do lots of gentle riding, you may need to occasionally repeat the 60-5mph routine to restore a good transfer layer to the rotors)

The process for the CP211 pad is different and even more critical because it's an organic pad.

BK

[BK_856er]

I'm putting a set of gixxer forks on my 695 this winter, and I'm interested in the rear shock you are using.  Which model and where did you find it?

The Ohlins is a 46DR, which is designed for the Monster.  I got it from Jason at Department of Suspension (with correct spring for my weight) but any Ohlins place should be able fix you right up.

You will love the new front end on your 695, and a good shock will round out the whole setup.  The 695 is an awesome little bike when it has a good suspension under it.

BK

[El Matador]

The Ohlins is a 46DR, which is designed for the Monster.  I got it from Jason at Department of Suspension (with correct spring for my weight) but any Ohlins place should be able fix you right up.

You will love the new front end on your 695, and a good shock will round out the whole setup.  The 695 is an awesome little bike when it has a good suspension under it.

BK

how bout posting some more pics of that gorgeous bike?

I see you and I have similar ideas on what a 695 should be...

[BK_856er]

how bout posting some more pics of that gorgeous bike?
I see you and I have similar ideas on what a 695 should be...

Thanks!  I really need to find a better location for pics...

BK

[El Matador]

Sweet!

But all those mods and no tail chop?

[BK_856er]

Sweet!
But all those mods and no tail chop?

It's known as a beer tray for good reason!

Still not set on what I want to do there...

BK

[El Matador]

It's known as a beer tray for good reason!

Still not set on what I want to do there...

BK

only one thing to do... 

[b.]

Great looking bike, BK!  And well thought out mods!