CSC FIII with Brembo disk brakes

I have a Cal side car, in searching the IN I only found 1 place that had that size tire and one local Les Schwab that had 2, trouble is is that tire went out of production 7 to 8 years ago and if you do find one check the DOT info on the tire and that's what your going to find, don't know about you but I'm not going to put that old of a tire on my bike, trouble is it isn't just a case of getting a newer tire to replace it, there isn't one, all you can do is get close and close requires some big changes. The tire size is 155/80/13 and it's a larger dia. than the OEM tire so this messes up the lean and the sidecar putting the nose of the car in a down attitude plus the tire will rub on the car side of the fender, knowing this if you still want to put a newer in production tire on your rig send me a PM and I will go into all the details of what your going to have to do or tell whom ever what you want done.

Now about the brakes, CS won't tell you squat about the brakes but they will sell you the pads for $45.00, I tried every way I knew to find a set of pads, didn't happen, maybe you'll have better luck.

I can't comment on the rubbers because I don't have them, mines a Companion model.

Originally written by jmunsey on 11/29/2008 5:17 PM

I have a 1o year old CSC FIII with Brembo disk brakes. How can you tell what the Brembo model number is to order replacement brake pads? Any advice on replacing these pads?

Jim
L.A. (Lower Alabama!!)

This will be tedious, but if you have an old pad, you can try to match it up here, http://www.brembo.com/ENG/Motorcycle-Brakes/PadsCatalogue/
They do give dimensions and a diagram of each.

On Brembo pads: Have 8 yr. old FSIII. Pads got thin at about 32,000 mi. Found out cost at CSC/VA; went hunting. If KTM dirtbike dealer's nearby, you might start there. Parts guy had identical pads[Brembo book has an ACTUAL SIZE IMAGE of each pad by it's part number]. Down side: their pad material's MORE agressive! 2 days after install: started SQUEALING, pulling rig to right on braking; wearing rotor! Put originals back in temporarily. In spring, intend to cut WIDE SLOTS in KTM pads, to reduce total surface area. Short of this, will end up biting bullet; buying from CSC[their pad material's much softer!].
If I could locate brake pad RELINING SERVICE, I'd have them do Rockwell hardness test on material; reline properly for me. GOOD LUCK on your solution! TTFN & MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU & YOURS
.....Old Tom aka papasmurf in NH
P.S. On hack tire: Found out size was Eurpoean[for Peugeot/Citron cars] That's why they faded from availability. Was lucky to find one from local tire dealer[Tire Warehouse chain stores, here in NH]. Tread on mine was still good at 32,000 but sidewalls were cracked.

Thanks for the reply and advice. I contacted Jay over at Dauntless. I then emailed him a picture I took of the caliper and he had a set of pads on hand for $35. That was less than CSC wanted and they wanted me to pull out the old pads and trace them and send them the trace. I had never messed with the brakes on this thing before but Jay also includes some basic instructions for changing the pads out. Worked like a charm. I have not driven the rig yet as I am in process of painting and re-hab on the unit. They were the exact same partnumber Brembo pads as the ones than came out. 07.2686.25 is the Brembo number. Although some places they care listed as 107.2686.25.

I bought the tire from CSC as I was in a hurry. I then found two other places on the internet (ebay) that sells them new. They are a good bit cheaper than CSC as well. They are not too common anymore but still available.

My next adventure is to pll the sidecar frame off the bike and hopefully be able to put it back on without disturbing the alignment.

Maybe we need a CSS FIII support group??!!
Merry Christmas!
Jim

If you make no changes to the sidecar mounts and just unbolt the lower rod eyes and upper struts the sidecar will remount with the same alignment as before you dismounted it.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars