Semi Metallic Brake Pads

Thingguy · Post by **Thingguy** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 6:06 am

Has anyone tried the Kymco Semi Metallic brake pads? I'm wondering if there is that big of a difference.
Scott
73 Thing
71 Beetle

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 7:43 am

Scott, In his book "Bajas and Buggies " Jeff Hibbard claims that the metalic linings provide a noticable improvement over standard versions. I have not personaly tried these but intend to if I remain with drum brakes in the future. Good luck. Bob Ingman

Post by **Marc** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 9:32 am

I don't have any personal experience with the Kymco linings but I'd expect them to offer improved stopping power when hot, and wear the drums faster, compared to stock "organics".
What I used to do on drum-brake racecars was to have a local relining shop make me up a set of metallics on rear shoe frames (they can be used on the front as well by drilling one extra spring hole - some frames are even dual-application already). The metallics went on in the upper location on the front, and the forward location on the rear, paired with organic linings. This gave reasonably good brakes when cold (full-metallics are notoriously bad until hot). It'd be interesting to see how the same arrangement would work out for street use with semi- rather than full-metallics....