Brake pads

[davidc83]

I changed my brake pads last night due to squelling from my front brakes when I applied them. Even though I had it serviced 3 weeks ago for preparation for the Franklin meet, the service department didnt catch I was needing new pads (whole nother story-wont be going back there after I get my next 'free' service)

2006 Suzuki gz250. 7000 miles, mostly Interstate and country roads riding. Very little stop and go city riding.

One pad was completely worn down (piston side) while the off-piston side had no wear ( I am going to save it) at all.

Question for you wrench monkeys: Is this normal wear for the gz? I would think so since it only has one piston caliber.

I know when you press the hand brake, the piston pushes against the pad to press against the rotor.

Question: What causes the tension/piston to return to 'home' position, that is, not pressing against the pad to the rotor, when you release the hand lever.

I did notice the first time i installed the pads, I couldnt get the caliber on the rotor due to the piston was not completely in (didnt touch the hand lever after removal of the caliber). I then removed the new pads, used Channel Lock to squeeze the piston in some, and installed the pads. Placed caliber on the rotor, bolted everything down, squeezed the handle a couple of times to get the piston back to 'home' (feel pressure when hand level squeezed). I have inspected the bike and there are no brake leaks anywere in the line or caliber/reservoir.
Does all this sound normal?
Sorry for the tech questions, I have never been much of a wrench monkey, but I am trying to learn.

P.S. Not quite as easy as the service manual made it out to be but very close. Not bad. Did the job in 20 minutes, including removing the pads and squeezing the piston in; basically installed pads twice into the caliber. Still start to finish-20 minutes.