Brake pads

When replacing the brake pads, do I re-user the backing plate from the old pads? My new pads did not come with any?

The Honda pads come with the friction material attached to the backing plate as one unit. Can you post a picture of the new pads and the old backing plate, so we can be sure we are talking about the same parts?

Send them back---get proper ones. Local Honda dealer should know.

Brakes rather important----how lomg since brake fluid system flushed??

I just received a set of front pads which are Honda OEM equipment and they came with the stainless steel backing plates.

Gary

Are these 'backing plates' a form of anti-rattle device?

I have used "Goldfren" brake pads front and rear. I have put the backing off my original ones on. I have also not put these back pads on and had no problems.

I also noticed that there is another backing plate on the piston side of the shoe. My assumption is it's a heat shield and is probably use to keep the pistons cooler during extreme braking.

Along with the backing plate you should also have a white fiber or plastic pad, the same shape as the metal part of the brake pad. That plastic pad needs to go on the back of metal part of the brake pad then put on the backing plate to hold it in place. If you do not put the plastic pad in between the back of metal part of the brake pad and backing plate the tabs of the backing plate will rub the brake disk before your brake pads are gone and not give you the full life of the brake pads. Aftermarket pads do not come with the plastic pads or the backing plates. I don't think you have to use the plastic pads or the backing plates when using aftermarket brake pads, but that is one of the reasons I use Honda brake pads. Another reason is when I tried EBC brake pads on my front wheel they wore the brake disk down prematurely, costing me big dollars. I don't think Honda would waste money putting them with their brake pads if they were useless. But I have seen a lot of breaks without them and not have a problem.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope it helps explain what the backing plates are for.

I wanted to try ceramic brakes. I ended up installing the pads with the backing plates, including the white fibre sheet. I believe the backing plates are used to eliminate brake squeak, and the fibre sheet looks like it is there to reduce the heat being transferred to the calipers.

WingMan02, how did the ceramic brakes work out? Did they cause extra or premature wear on the brake disk?

model28a, I only have about 20 miles on the pads. Initial observations is that the pads seem to be riding on the rotor as I do notice it when trying to back the bike up while sitting on it. Brake seems to engage sooner than my old pads. After removing the pads, the old pads had about 50% left. The break in period is about 300 miles. Will post any updates in about a month.