Front Disc Brake Pads for Honda CB360 (1974–1976)
Italian-made replacement front disc brake pads for the Honda CB360G (1974) and CB360T (1975–1976) — the disc-brake twin-cylinder Honda that replaced the one-year CB350G and carried the same Tokico single-piston caliper system forward. Old brake pads harden, glaze over, and stop gripping; pads soaked by a leaky caliper seal crumble off their metal backing. Either way, replace them as a pair. Two pads per set: one thicker, one thinner — Honda factory design.
Why You Need This
The CB360 front brake is a hydraulic disc that delivers roughly 80% of your stopping power. Original pads on a 50-year-old bike have lost their grip — the friction material hardens and glazes over from age and thermal cycling. Pads that have been sitting in brake fluid from a leaky caliper piston seal tend to crumble; the friction material separates from the metal backing. Either way, replace them as a pair before your next ride.
These are direct-fit Italian-made replacements with a semi-metallic compound carrying brass and bronze content. Same Tokico single-piston caliper that Honda ran on the CB350G (1973), CB450 K5–K7, CB500T, and the four-cylinder CB350F/CB400F — so the install routine is identical across all those bikes. These pads are also included in our front brake caliper rebuild kit if you're replacing the piston seal at the same time.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Part Numbers | 45105-390-305, 45105-390-003, 45105-390-006, 45106-390-003, 45106-390-006, 45106-390-305 |
| Fits Models | CB360G (1974), CB360T (1975–1976) |
| Origin | Italian-made |
| Compound | Semi-metallic with brass and bronze content |
| Sold As | Pair (one thick "Pad A" for piston side + one thin "Pad B" for opposite side) |
| Brake System | Single-disc hydraulic front brake with Tokico single-piston caliper (shared with CB350G, CB450 K5–K7, CB500T, CB350F, CB400F, CB500K, CB550K/F) |
| Wear Indicator | Red wear-limit groove in the friction surface — replace when worn to the line |
| Brake Fluid Spec | DOT 3 |
This is a CB360-only page. The same pad fits other Honda models — see our bike-specific variants for CB350G, CB450 K5–K7 / CB500T, and CB500K / CB550K / CB550F.
Model-Specific Notes
- CB360G (1974): First year of the CB360 line. Single front disc with Tokico caliper, same as the CB350G it replaced.
- CB360T (1975–1976): Same caliper, same pads. No change across the two model years.
- CL360 and CJ360 (Scrambler / Economy): These variants use drum front brakes, not discs. You need brake shoes, not pads. A visual check is fastest: if your front wheel has no caliper and no rotor, it's drum.
Installation
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate. If you're replacing pads only, it's a bench-top job once the caliper is off the rotor. If you're rebuilding the caliper at the same time (piston seal, bleeder, banjo crush washers), plan to bleed the brake line after.
- Remove the caliper from the fork leg. Two bolts. Hang the caliper so it doesn't pull the brake hose.
- Remove the old pads. Honda's design uses a cotter pin / retaining clip. Note orientation: thicker Pad A goes on the piston side (inboard); thinner Pad B on the opposite side.
- Clean the rotor face. Scuff both sides of the rotor with 100-grit sandpaper to remove the glaze. Wipe down with brake cleaner. Inspect for deep grooves or scoring — the CB360's 7mm-thick rotor has a 6mm service minimum.
- Apply caliper grease ONLY to the back of each pad and the caliper housing recess. Keep grease completely off the friction surface and off the rotor. A light film on the outer diameter of the pad's metal backing helps the pad slide freely in the caliper.
- Install the new pads. Pad A on the piston side, Pad B on the opposite side. Reinstall the retaining pin / clip.
- Reinstall the caliper. If the brake fluid was low or the piston was pushed back into the caliper, the brake feel will be spongy until bled. Top up the master cylinder with DOT 3 brake fluid.
- Bed the new pads in. Find an empty road, get to about 30 mph, and apply moderate braking eight or ten times without coming to a complete stop. This transfers an even layer of pad material to the rotor and gives the final bite.
Never apply grease to the friction surface. Any contamination on the pad face reduces stopping power and can cause the front wheel to lock up unexpectedly.
Our Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding the Honda CB Hydraulic Front Brake System covers pad replacement along with caliper rebuild, master cylinder service, and line flush. See Part 2 for bleeding the line after reassembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this fit my CL360 or CJ360?
No. The CL360 scrambler and CJ360 economy models use drum front brakes, not discs. You need brake shoes for those bikes. Only the CB360G (1974) and CB360T (1975–1976) use this disc setup.
Why is one pad thicker than the other?
Honda's factory design. The thicker pad (Honda calls it Pad A) sits on the piston side of the caliper and takes the direct push from the piston; the thinner pad (Pad B) sits on the opposite side and is pushed into the rotor as the caliper floats. Swap them by mistake and the caliper won't close correctly on the rotor.
When do I know it's time to replace?
Honda molds a red groove across the friction surface of each pad. When the groove disappears into the pad material, it's worn to the service limit. Visually: if the pad is thinner than the backing plate it's mounted on, replace.
Should I replace anything else while I'm in there?
If your caliper is leaking fluid or the piston is sticky, the Front Brake Caliper Rebuild Kit includes new pads plus a piston seal, bleed screw, and crush washers — it's a full refresh. A cracked or deteriorated rubber brake hose is also worth replacing at the same time — rubber hoses swell with age and give spongy brake feel.
What brake fluid should I use?
DOT 3 — the original factory fluid specification for this brake system. Do not mix DOT 3 with DOT 5 (silicone) — the two are not compatible and mixing them will damage the seals.
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Last updated: April 2026
