Front brake pad replacement questions

[CanadaboyA]

2003 model front brakes
Noob here so 1st timing doing brakes.
Can I just pop open the master cylinder cover and puts some rags around it and then push in the pistons or do I have to bleed from the caliper screw as book says ?
Any other tips appreciated. Planning on doing them Friday when the humidity breaks here in my region.

[Shores]

I don't remove the fluid from the master cylinder for fear of getting air in the system. Use the bleeder bolt in each caliper as recommended. Then add fresh fluid into the master cylinder as you continue to bleed. Don't let the fluid get below the inlet port in the master cylinder or you will get air in the system. Continue until all old fluid is out and new fluid is coming out the bleed bolts.

[Lug Nut]

Can do it right by replacing pads and flushing old fluid that may have never been changed before

[CanadaboyA]

Ok.. One more question
Due to the duel fronts.
Do I bleed the left ( further ) side from the master first or does it not matter ?

[davej]

I always bleed the farthest side first on any vehicle. But with this being set up with the splitter at the fork, both sides are the same

[Jclevesque]

When flushing I get the master cylinder close to level and I use a new syringe to suck out most of the old fluid and add new then start flushing.I find this easier to do rather that start and adding at every time you open and close the bleeder at each caliper.

[Lug Nut]

Flush completely and then some... Start farthest away. I have BEST luck with vacuum bleeder that hooks to air Compressor. Put towels around tank etc... Brake fluid nasty stuff.... I suck every bit of old fluid out and wipe down MC with brake cleaner and paper towel. I refill and start sucking through and let a complete MC full of fluid go through and add to keep level up to make sure no air. I can have brake lever taped closed and suck fluid through and simply tighten bleeded with 8mm ratcheting box end wrench while it's sucking through. No air ever.

I do this every 2 years. Also EBC HH front pads are fantastic and EBC organic are great on rear. Don't forget to lubricate brake lever pivot area also.

[Chooch]

Why different lining material front and rear?

[roadiemort]

Less prone to lockup with organics.

[CanadaboyA]

Thanks for all the tips. Appreciated very much

[Lug Nut]

Organic doesn't bite as hard.... Better for rear In case you get panicky and whap the rear brake.

[Chooch]

Thanks. I've never tried any pads on a Road Star other than stock.

[CanadaboyA]

Pads change done. Thanks to the replies I got. It really helped a lot.
Front brakes work A1 now.

So I had this noise happening just spinning the wheel and also when I applied the brakes when I was riding.
I would get metal on metal sound. Like a screechy sound.
Hence the reason I thought the pads were shot maybe even the rotors were warped or even the rim.
None were the issue

The pads were barely worn.
Swapped them out for organic and cleaned the calipers and piston area. They were really really suttee and dirty.
Lightly sanded the rotor.
No rust or gauges on it but thought I would do it anyway
Was left with rust though on the inside of the piston. Is that an issue you think?

Youtube link https://youtu.be/356AHZXuZpo

[davej]

That noise is just the way it is. Nothing at all wrong.

[Horsehammerr]

Yes davej , these are all around NOISEY motorcycles !