Brake pads. The answer to the question "What did you not pack that you will regret?".

I can't believe this but I have worn a brand new set of front brake pads down to metal in 13,000 miles. I'm guessing maybe something about the dust, dirt and grime or maybe it's because of all the weight I'm carrying. I don't know. This caught me completely by surprise.

It was pointed out to me on facebook that if I run on metal and have to do a panic stop, which actually happens with some of the large critters here on the roads, I /may/ push the pistons out far enough to let fluid pass. This would be a Bad Thing(tm).

So I'm holing up here in Fort Nelson, BC out in the middle of fucking nowhere and will see about getting some pads fedex'd to the hotel here. They are cool and are going to let me work on my bike here.

I'll just run the warped rotors until I get back. I ran warped rotors on the last cross country trip, well a rear rotor, so at least there'll be symmetry.

Sorry to hear it. Could be excessive dirt/dust/salt prevented the pads from moving freely in/out, and caused the premature wear.

If you need any help locating the pads, I'm obviously ready to assist, just let me know

clean/inspect the brake piston/boot area real good before pushing them back in with all the crude you've been through.

are those fix caliper with dual pistons or sliding calipers?

if sliders make sure the pins are clean so the caliper can float. if it can't float you 'll get weird ware and/or braking

I finally found a place in British Columba that has them in stock. I'm having them overnighted here to the hotel.

@Lance good points on the muck. Yea, the hotel here is going to let me clean the bike here.

Shit.

Up here in Fort Nelson the fastest I can get pads would be 5 days from now ...

I'm having the pads overnighted to a motel in Prince George, which was the furthest North you can get overnight.

Otherwise I would be stuck until Tuesday at the earliest.

Now it's just a question of doing the 500 miles between here and there.

I looked up the "K" the calipers are 4 piston fixed calipers not sliders.

still make sure you don't have Dalton crud packed up in the caliper - be careful not to rupture the dust boot - if ripped or torn
still clean them the best you can till you can get back to have them properly serviced

don't use brake cleaner on the rubber dust boots.

it will eat them.

Take it easy on the road. And good luck!

P.S. - You'll be fine.

carp!!! - 500 miles on worn out brakes. yikes!!!

this is the same man that talks of risk?

It's a calculated risk. Unfortunately, the rear brake isn't working as well as I had hoped. I think the pad has gotten glazed.

In an emergency I still have some front brake. The one side is not completely to metal, so one disk would grab if I needed it to. The other caliper might push fluid out, but my sense is that it would stop.

I'm in Dawsons Creek now. I got confirmation that the parts have been shipped and should be in Prince George at th emotel in the afternoon around the time I arrive. Once I can find a place where i can clean off the bike and do the work, I'll get to it.

"The other caliper might push fluid out, but my sense is that it would stop. "

true - all leaking will end eventually

your about halfway to "PG" so your making progress

something that may be handy

BMW online repair manual

http://www.scribd.com/doc/9918222/Bmw-k1100lt-k1100rs-E...

@Lance Unfortunately that's the wrong bike. '92 K100RS, not K1100RS.

but the brake system may be similar, so I'll check it out. Thanks.