How many miles do you normally get on an S40 before the brake shoes and/or pads need to be replaced? Also. where is the disc wear indicator (there aren't any pics in the Clymer Manual)? One more, how much mileage should you expect to get out of the tires?

verslagen1 wrote on 03/06/10 at 15:15:23:

According to the line on mine, I should have changed my rear choes in January. 2009. They'll get replaced when I have to take the rear wheel off.

Front pads are a breeze, 20 minutes tops.

I've just shy of 30,000 miles on the bike, three to five pairs of pads, still the original shoes.  Over 20,000 of that is city streets.  I don't use the brakes much, and the rear less.

Swapping out pads is so easy it is hard to remember when you last did them.

I'm about strictly an urban rider.  I toasted the original front brake pads at 3500 miles and replaced 'em with Ferodo Platinum pads.

I replaced those at 7600 miles with EBC organic front brake pads.  Those are still in the bike (the bike is currently at 10,500 miles).

I have found that, in general, long pad life means short rotor life.  Since the front brake pads are so easy to swap out on our bikes, I'll accept the short pad life.

BTW, I've still got the original rear brake pads on mine.

kimchris1 wrote on 03/07/10 at 11:58:42:


Glad to help out....no harm in checkin'!

Another thing...
What color is your brake fluid?
Do you know it's supposed to be clear?
And it's easy to change, just stand around and wait for it to drain out.
The top of the reservoir says DOT4 but I've always used DOT3.
Easy way, Turn the handlebars till the top of the reservoir is as level as you can get it.  Remove the cover.  Get a jar at least as big as the can you are filling it with, but a pint is all you should need.  Also a small rubber hose.  Can't find one?  the vent tube off the battery is just right.  flip back the rubber cover on the bleed nipple.  Crack open the bleeder with the closed end.  You're least likely to damage it that way.  Once loose, remove the wrench and put on the rubber tube.  Other end goes into the jar.  Now with the open end of the wrench, open the bleeder a couple of turns.  Now be patient, open up an adult beverage, but don't take your eyes off the reservoir cause in a little bit it will start to drain.  Have a couple of rags near by to wipe up any drips.  This stuff will take paint off if you leave it on.  Starting to drain?  Let it go down almost to empty, have that can open and ready to pour in.  I use my finger to prevent that little tornado from sucking in air, you don't want that in your line.  Ok, when you got it down as far as you can stand it, pour some more in, keep it low for now you want all the old stuff out.  When you feel you got it, fill it up.  Do that till clear stuff comes out the bottom.  When you do, close off the bleeder, fill the reservoir to the level line, give the lever a squeeze to see how it feels.  Spongy?  Use the usual bleedin' technique.