1986 350 K2 front brake information.
Posted: 27 Sep 2019 20:10
Having posted a request for info under the title 'Front disc brake questions' and not received any specific data I did some research!
First of all, DO NOT BELIEVE BRAKE PAD MANUFACTURER'S CATALOGUES!
This may appear a severe critique, but having ordered SBS brake pads, using their recommended part numbers, for both the original front and rear calipers on my K2 and not received the correct items, I needed to sort things out.
SBS list in their on-line and paper catalogue that their SBS 606HF Ceramic pads are suitable for the rear caliper (This is confusing, as they are described as "Front Ceramic Brake Pads" in the catalogue!). They also list their SBS 560HF Ceramic pads as being suitable for the front calipers. So I ordered one set of SBS 606HF and two sets of SBS 560HF that arrived very promptly.
I stripped out the rear caliper and noted that the replacement pads didn't have the central metal tang, in which the anti-squeal, stainless steel spring sits.
However, in every other way they matched the pads that I had removed and everything went together and worked.
On to the front calipers. On stripping out the pads they appeared very different from the SBS 560HF that I had ordered.
Being longer, wider, with no two 45degree tangs/lugs sticking out from the bottom of the pad, as on the SBS 560HF pads.! Again, no central metal tang, in which the anti-squeal, stainless steel spring sits. Upon sliding the new pads into the caliper, the tangs/lugs held the pads lower in the caliper and the holes through which the pins hold the pads in the caliper didn't align.
I then visited the EBC, VESRAH, web catalogues, with no joy. EBC do not list a pad for the K2 front calipers, they used to list a pad FA98 or FA098 as being suitable, but this is of similar dimension to the incorrect SBS (560HF) pad. The Vesrah catalogue showed a pad of similar design (SD-928) to the incorrect SBS one. NEWFREN I believe were the pads sold by NLM (FD0028) for Morini front calipers and they too have the same profile as the incorrect SBS one. I suspect that the pads with tangs/lugs are suitable for earlier MM 350 Sports? MDITALIA do not offer a description/image of the pads that they are selling for Morini, apart from being "soft". So, take your chance!
Ferodo's online catalogue finally came up with some correct information.
Not only did they list/illustrate pads with dimensions matching those of the pads that I had removed, but they also cross-reference other manufacturer's equivalent pads. I have checked the FERODO (FDB696), EBC (incorrect!), NEWFREN (FD0069), SBS (605HF), VESRAH (VD-930) pad dimension on the manufacturer's sites and all appear to be of similar dimension to the unamed pads that I have removed from my front calipers.
Pad friction materials vary!
Link to FERODO online catalogue: 2019_FERODO_online_catalogue
So, my supplier is going to replace the (560HF) pads that SBS incorrectly catalogued and supply me with my choice of SBS 605HF pads.
Once, I have fitted the SBS Ceramic pads to all the calipers, I will report back on their efficacy in the dry and more importantly, under wet, cold conditions that afflict us up here.
I hope this helps other K2 owners.
My regards, Bill

First of all, DO NOT BELIEVE BRAKE PAD MANUFACTURER'S CATALOGUES!

SBS list in their on-line and paper catalogue that their SBS 606HF Ceramic pads are suitable for the rear caliper (This is confusing, as they are described as "Front Ceramic Brake Pads" in the catalogue!). They also list their SBS 560HF Ceramic pads as being suitable for the front calipers. So I ordered one set of SBS 606HF and two sets of SBS 560HF that arrived very promptly.
I stripped out the rear caliper and noted that the replacement pads didn't have the central metal tang, in which the anti-squeal, stainless steel spring sits.

On to the front calipers. On stripping out the pads they appeared very different from the SBS 560HF that I had ordered.


I then visited the EBC, VESRAH, web catalogues, with no joy. EBC do not list a pad for the K2 front calipers, they used to list a pad FA98 or FA098 as being suitable, but this is of similar dimension to the incorrect SBS (560HF) pad. The Vesrah catalogue showed a pad of similar design (SD-928) to the incorrect SBS one. NEWFREN I believe were the pads sold by NLM (FD0028) for Morini front calipers and they too have the same profile as the incorrect SBS one. I suspect that the pads with tangs/lugs are suitable for earlier MM 350 Sports? MDITALIA do not offer a description/image of the pads that they are selling for Morini, apart from being "soft". So, take your chance!

Ferodo's online catalogue finally came up with some correct information.


Link to FERODO online catalogue: 2019_FERODO_online_catalogue
So, my supplier is going to replace the (560HF) pads that SBS incorrectly catalogued and supply me with my choice of SBS 605HF pads.
Once, I have fitted the SBS Ceramic pads to all the calipers, I will report back on their efficacy in the dry and more importantly, under wet, cold conditions that afflict us up here.

I hope this helps other K2 owners.
My regards, Bill