Polishing Rotors
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Polishing Rotors
I am considering polishing my rotors while on the bike. Why you might ask? I am not comfortable removing and reinstalling the front wheel. I do not intend to polish the area the pads ride as it will just be scuffed up again anyway. Basically I am pull one bolt at a time and polish the rotor using sandpaper working up to 2000 grit wet sand. Then install a chrome or polished stainless bolt and move to the next one. I plan to mask everything else off to prevent damage. Anybody else tried this?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 152
From: Calgary, Alberta
Removing the front wheel is a 10-20minute job. Nothing that I'd say is too difficult. I will say though, if you are uncomfortable with removing and re-installing the wheel, you may be better off not tackling this at all. The likelihood of this turning into something you'll regret is pretty good. Personally, I'd believe this is nothing that should be done with the rotor mounted even on the wheel. JMHO.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Thanks for the feedback. It's not that I am not mechanically inclined, I have performed lots of work on mine and my wife's bikes. I just don't like to fool with one of the two things keeping me attached to the road. Harkon you mention that this should not be performed with the rotor even attached to the wheel, not challenging but can you explain why?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,528
Likes: 30,847
From: Pennsylvania
Hopefully, you will not get any grit or residual compound material into the wheel bearing. Even though it has a seal stuff grit can do strange things at 60 MPH. bst to remove the wheel and then the rotor to polish it. You may be better off just buying polished rotors and installing them. Good luck!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 621
From: IE, CA
Daymmmmm.... You literally added an extra days worth of work vs just removing the wheel AND the discs from the wheel.... You do realize rotors arent aluminum, right???? Good luck with that.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 870
Likes: 246
From: Transfer, PA
Since you're familiar with a wrench, just pull the wheel. It's really not a big deal. Take your time, ask questions if needed and you'll learn something.
No they aren't. The factory bolts are 'one time' because of the pre-applied loc-tite. Harley's own chrome bolt kit says to apply your own and has no mention of one time use only. The torque spec is well below the yield point of a bolt that size.
No they aren't. The factory bolts are 'one time' because of the pre-applied loc-tite. Harley's own chrome bolt kit says to apply your own and has no mention of one time use only. The torque spec is well below the yield point of a bolt that size.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 944
From: Lincolnshire, IL
As an aircraft owner, I changed out my standard wheels/rotors with "chromed" ones years ago. The chromed ones greatly extend the life of brake pads, which on aircraft are crazy expensive! I wonder if chromed rotors are available for motorcycles??