polished rotors????
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 729
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
polished rotors????
i was just wondering what your guy's thoughts are on polished rotor and if anyone are using them??? i've heard they don't stop very well and to stay away from them?? but i'm i'm tired of my dull rotors with a new chrome frontend. so i was wondering what direction to go.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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They stop just fine. You can polish your stocker with about 5 bucks worth of sandpaper. I did mine and ran them till they needed replaced, then bought a set of cheapo polished ones off eBay. They brake just fine, as well, plus don't warp like the stockers often do.
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
My show polished rotors purchased off Flea-Bay dont stop for crap. I may need to swap out my pads for some lyndalls or maybe the shiny part of the rotor just needs to wear off?
I have 150 miles on the polished rotors and they really look nice but with my combo of stock Harley pads they just dont have much stop in em'. I even upgraded all my lines to braided and had the system bled. Still no dice.
I have 150 miles on the polished rotors and they really look nice but with my combo of stock Harley pads they just dont have much stop in em'. I even upgraded all my lines to braided and had the system bled. Still no dice.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,826
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From: Lynchburg, Va
My question is that after a short while, the rotors aren't polished and shiny where the caliper makes contact, no? So is it really worth it since half of the rotor will end up looking like your old rotors anyway? Just curious because I am thinking of replacing mine too.
Shakey
Shakey
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 729
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From: Indiana
how did you polish them yourself??? what did you and and what steps??
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
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320-2000 grit with a drill attachment. Once you master not tearing the paper, you can do a side in about 45 minutes.
Kevlar pads will leave a nice satin finish on the area where the pads ride.
Kevlar pads will leave a nice satin finish on the area where the pads ride.
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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
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From: Rochester, NY
Try looking here;
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3438844#post3438844
That should get you a nice pair of polished rotors that might cost some time and effort, but not much money.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3438844#post3438844
That should get you a nice pair of polished rotors that might cost some time and effort, but not much money.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: near Buffalo, NY
Polish them all you want.
I run Xtreme Machine Wavy floating rotors. They look like saw blades where a lot of the surface area is cut out. You might think this will reduce braking effectiveness? Wrong. Although my rotor area isn't polished, I run pads that will not effect the surface like stock, or any other metallic based pad will.
I used Lyndall Z pads. They are the best braking combination I've ever run.
Don't worry about the rotor surface, concentrate more on using a Kevlar pad like the Z pad. If you use something along the lines of the Kevlar Z pad, not only will your braking improve and brake dust a thing of the past, your fading will be reduced to zero, and most importantly to the rotor, you will preserve the polished surface as if it were still new. Although the surface looks a little dark in the picture, the surface area is still as smooth as silk without one single groove cut into the rotor.
Here's a larger pic:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...85959624iXXleM
I run Xtreme Machine Wavy floating rotors. They look like saw blades where a lot of the surface area is cut out. You might think this will reduce braking effectiveness? Wrong. Although my rotor area isn't polished, I run pads that will not effect the surface like stock, or any other metallic based pad will.
I used Lyndall Z pads. They are the best braking combination I've ever run.
Don't worry about the rotor surface, concentrate more on using a Kevlar pad like the Z pad. If you use something along the lines of the Kevlar Z pad, not only will your braking improve and brake dust a thing of the past, your fading will be reduced to zero, and most importantly to the rotor, you will preserve the polished surface as if it were still new. Although the surface looks a little dark in the picture, the surface area is still as smooth as silk without one single groove cut into the rotor.
Here's a larger pic:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...85959624iXXleM
Last edited by George C; Feb 24, 2009 at 08:25 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Front Royal, VA
My problem has always been too much brake, a habit I cannot seem to break. My accident back in 2004 was because I locked up the rear tire. I've done that numerous times since though I really practice staying away from the situation.
There is a You Tube video of a couple of baggers on the Dragon. I can hunt the link down if anyone is interested. They passed a car on a turn (nuts) and went straight over the edge (terrifying). I'm certain they both got on the brakes but had the same experience I had - rear locked.
I know this isn't an equipment issue and simply my lack of skill but I don't know what would happen if my brakes grabbed any better than stock.
There is a You Tube video of a couple of baggers on the Dragon. I can hunt the link down if anyone is interested. They passed a car on a turn (nuts) and went straight over the edge (terrifying). I'm certain they both got on the brakes but had the same experience I had - rear locked.
I know this isn't an equipment issue and simply my lack of skill but I don't know what would happen if my brakes grabbed any better than stock.