front disc pads... diagonal cut?

So I looked at the front discs I ordered, and realized they are cut diagonally? They mesh, though. Odd. Went out and checked, and sure enough, it looks like the discs on there are likewise positioned... But, unless I'm swapping something in my head, diagonally in the opposite direction! Is this possible? I took pics, can't post them now, will try and get them up tomorrow. But basically, if we think of a 'left' and a 'right' pad as per their mounting on the bike, and each pad having a 'outer' and 'inner' side, corresponding to where the pad sits on the disc (inner being close to center of disc, outer being close to edge)...

The ones mounted:

Seems like right is thinner on the outer section, fatter on the inner section--left is opposite of that.

The ones I received, as stated, seem like they'll be opposite.

Is that normal? I had thought at first glance the old ones looked worn enough to go ahead and replace, but... the meaty part left on them is quite meaty, while the thin part is relatively normal considering the state of the new ones.

What's going on? Am I just looking at this wrong? I'm used to them having level braking surface, this diagonal cut is weirding me out.

 

????

I think we need pictures. My 550 has a 650 front end and brakes and the pads do not wear evenly. In the past I just suffered it and changed the pads as needed, but a cure would be good. The discs themselves don't taper though and the pads certainly don't taper when new.

You are describing the new pads aren't you ?

 

The 650 Maxim pad is wedge shaped. The two pads have the opposite taper so they will stack flat.

It's because that caliper pivots rather than sliding on pins. The pads aren't flat until they're worn out.

 

Well you hear something new every day and all that. the 650 Maxim was never imported over here and I don't remember seeing one, let alone the pads. I'd definitely like to see the pictures now...

 

The XS specials have the same braking system on the fronts Tapered pads and center swivel calipers

 

All the pics I found on the web were with the pad laying flat so you can't see the wedge shape.

Here is a line drawing from one of the sellers:


The left view is from the top. The rotor passes through the gap between the pads. The pivot is at the bottom. As the pads wear the caliper rotates counter clockwise (anti clockwise) so there is little wear at the narrow edge. When the pads are flat they're worn out.