EBC Floating Rotor failed after 20K miles
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Romania
EBC Floating Rotor failed after 20K miles
After the original rotors were warped at about 25.000 miles, I decided to go with a set of floating rotors and forget about the warping effects. So I bought a set of "EBC 5-Button Front Brake Rotor Wide - Front - Polished - FSD010" together with a set of EBC break pads for my 2003 Road King. Everything was good for almost 20k miles, until my last trip around Europe that finished a couple of days ago.
I heard some rattling and noises coming from the front when I was going over bumps in the road, but I blamed all the chrome thingies on the fork and the tool bag that was hanging in front of my apes. When I finally got back home, after around 3500 miles I washed my bike and discovered that the right rotor was loose, as you can see in the video:
However, the left rotor is in perfect condition and the pads have equal wear on both sides.
I e-mailed EBC's customer support and they said they do not offer a service kit for it and that I have to buy the entire rotor again. I imagine the last bushing failed on the very last part of the trip because now it makes an unbearable noise at low speeds and it's impossible to miss.
I also want to mention that I ride touring style, without hard braking and I really try to be smooth with my bike as it's not cheap for me to maintain it. My last Dunlop 402 rear tire lasted almost 10k miles.
I heard some rattling and noises coming from the front when I was going over bumps in the road, but I blamed all the chrome thingies on the fork and the tool bag that was hanging in front of my apes. When I finally got back home, after around 3500 miles I washed my bike and discovered that the right rotor was loose, as you can see in the video:
I e-mailed EBC's customer support and they said they do not offer a service kit for it and that I have to buy the entire rotor again. I imagine the last bushing failed on the very last part of the trip because now it makes an unbearable noise at low speeds and it's impossible to miss.
I also want to mention that I ride touring style, without hard braking and I really try to be smooth with my bike as it's not cheap for me to maintain it. My last Dunlop 402 rear tire lasted almost 10k miles.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I have had the very same problem with another brand of floating rotors. I have uprated my front and rear brakes and installed EBC rotors and pads, although much too early to comment. That rotor looks well worn, how thick is it, compared with min thickness?
One of these days we plan riding through Romania, from the UK.
One of these days we plan riding through Romania, from the UK.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Stock, good condition rotors are on CL every day for pennies on the dollar because somebody else thought it was a good idea to throw deck chairs off the Titanic.
I've never paid more than 25.00 per and more importantly, have never have had one threaten to fail catastrophically.
I've never paid more than 25.00 per and more importantly, have never have had one threaten to fail catastrophically.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 600
Likes: 231
From: Dewey, Arizona 86327
Ain't likely to find Craigslist in Romania, where the cat's at. There may be an equivalent, though.
Any riding clubs or groups that might help? There's usually guys with take off stuff just cluttering up their garage.
Any riding clubs or groups that might help? There's usually guys with take off stuff just cluttering up their garage.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Good point. I can only see one dealer in the whole of Romania, so it looks as if Saw666 is in something of a desert, where Harley stuff is concerned! If H-D floating rotors are available ther they would be a decent choice. Otherwise just replace the one EBC, as an interim measure. Being British they are probably best bought from the UK, at least while we are still in the EU!
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Romania
Finding take-off parts in Romania is tricky, but not impossible. Also there are clubs and a Harley dealer here, so it's not that bad as far as support goes 
.
I talked with my mechanic and he said he will first try to repair it by taking all the connecting cylinders off and installing new custom washers and welding the cylinders back in place. If this doesn't work I will have to decide if I'll just replace the EBC rotor with a new one and hope I'll get better results, or buy a set of HD floating rotors.
I don't believe the rotor is too worn, but I'll measure it.
@grbrown if you're planning a trip to Romania, I would be more than happy to help you with tips and suggestions about my country. just PM me
.I talked with my mechanic and he said he will first try to repair it by taking all the connecting cylinders off and installing new custom washers and welding the cylinders back in place. If this doesn't work I will have to decide if I'll just replace the EBC rotor with a new one and hope I'll get better results, or buy a set of HD floating rotors.
I don't believe the rotor is too worn, but I'll measure it.
@grbrown if you're planning a trip to Romania, I would be more than happy to help you with tips and suggestions about my country. just PM me
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 391
Likes: 52
From: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Holy crap, I never saw one float THAT much before ... lol. I don't know anyone that would stand behind brakes, rotors or clutches, they will just say it's a wear item and not covered.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Many thanks! The plan is to cross the Continent of Europe and ride into Turkey, to visit Asia. We're not sure the time is quite right at present, so perhaps when the dust settles over there!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1,040
From: Seabrook, NH
Who did you purchase the part from? This same exact thing happened to my friends Performance Machine floating brake rotor. The dealer he purchased it from replaced it so I am assuming PM warrantied the part. FYI... I have the bad rotor hanging on my shop wall.