New Discs and pads

Just fitted new dics and pads to my Z650-F4 (dual front discs) The inner pads on both sides are only touching the outer edge on the discs. i had a look at the old pads and they also seem to be worn more at this point.

I measured the calipers and there is a difference. Like they have spread slightly at the toes.

Do I just run it like this and wait for it to bed in?

Hope that all makes sense. See photos below.

It looks like your caliper is not floating properly or something is bent WAY out of position.

Agreed.

They should seat flat at all times.
New or old pads.

Calipers dont really bend... check to make sure bolts are nice and straight, and correct size.

Something is a foot! :laugh:

No, calipers floating okay. Outer pads are sitting okay against the discs. See pictures below. Seems to be that the gap is bigger at the toes of the calipers. Do I file these down to make it even or just leave it to bed in??

More phots of caliper off mounts.

There appears to be about 1mm difference between the front edge and the back.

Something is wrong with those calipers or you are not putting the pads in right. Don't file anything find out what is wrong. Fix it right.

Measuring the calipers that way is not going to tell the true story. they may have been cast that way. i would try this. Remove the pads and try to do a similar measurement at the pistons. try to see if there is a dif in distance between the front and rear of the pistons .this may give u a more accurate picture of the alignment.
the pistons should move in and out in line with the bore.
try moving the pistons in and out and repeat the measurement to see if the alignment stays the same or differs.

I think that he only has a single piston, and the caliper jaw is machined in the casting. It should be straight. sometimes corrosion builds up on the jaw and must be removed or mud builds up and has to be removed. I would try to operate the caliper while not mounted to see exactly what it is doing. Just mount the pads and close them onto each other without the disc.

otakar wrote:

I think that he only has a single piston, and the caliper jaw is machined in the casting. It should be straight. sometimes corrosion builds up on the jaw and must be removed or mud builds up and has to be removed. I would try to operate the caliper while not mounted to see exactly what it is doing. Just mount the pads and close them onto each other without the disc.

thats along the lines that i was thinking. something(rust?)may be causing the piston to run a scew, if it doesnt measure up correctly(true to bore).

Okay, I have measured it a few times now. Casting, piston, with pads etc. Definately slightly wider at the toes. You can just about see it by eye without measuring. If you notice in the last photo there is blue paint. This is off the back of the new pads and is only rubbing at that point. The bike has done over 50k so may just be an age thing.

I have carefully taken about 1/2mm from the back side with a dremel tool, refitted the pads and taken it for a run. Much better. A few more miles and I think it will be beded in correctly. Better feel on the lever also.

is it just rubbing on the outer edge on the inner side of the disk? is the piston side rubbing evenly?
does it seem that the casting is bent outward?

Yes, yes and yes. The second set of photos shows the outer surfaces of the discs. Looks like the castings are worn or slightly eased apart over time.