In a message dated 8/26/2005 1:53:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
WRJJRS@aol.com writes:
Lynn,
I was aware of this, as wax and silicone remover is one of their
most used products. Ernest C input that bit. (fortunatly no longer true.) I
prefer the braking action of the "performance Dot 4" fluids which will remove
paint if left on the finish. Your mention is of one of my "old reliables" AP
550. Once a season change for the bikes and all was well. (And truly even
that seemed unnecessary.)
Bill Jepson
The use of carbon brake pads has raised the bar on brake
performance. Current compounds have both the performance you want and do no
damage at all to the rotors. Rotors used to be replaced along with the first
generation of carbon pads.
The big cars now circulate the fluid through coolers. This pulls a
bunch of heat out of the calipers. Newer forms of insulation between the pistons
and pads have made big improvements in performance.
The brake design on aircraft seems to be stuck in the 40s.
Even younger designs of airliners carrie around thousands of pounds of
cast iron brake disc stacks.
It is time for carbon pads and rotors with ceramic
calipers.
Years ago, at a car show, I picked up a Porsche brake rotor that
was made of aluminum and ceramic foam. It was chained to the table with a foot
or so of aluminum chain. The people would pick up the 12 pound iron version, and
put it down. Then the foam version would suprise them to the extent that without
the chain, the rotor would have gone over their heads. Light like balsa wood. I
watched hundreds of people do that test and squeal like little
kids.
Picking up the light version again and again in
disbeliefe.
Lynn E. Hanover