Hello, folks! Just got back into biking after a 30+ year hiatus. My last Harley was a 73 Sportster! So, now I have an 03 FLHTPI with a 96" Screamin Eagle with upgraded cams, ported heads, intake, and Thunderheader 2 into 1 exhaust.

My question is about brakes. My fronts are lumpy, pulsating which normally indicates an untrue rotor. The current rotors are floaters and I was wondering if it's going to be any difference if I replace them non-floaters. The bike is going to be a treet machine with an occasional highway run of MAYBE 50 to 100 miles. Very moderate use, only. So, what say you? Float or no float? Thanx!!

 

calipers with crap on the seals/piston dust covers will also cause pulsing, but the major cause of rotor warping in my experience is some tire changing gorilla damaging them when mounting new rubber. Are you sure the 16 year old pistons are not semi frozen from lack of maintenance? Hoses breaking down deposit crap in the pistons ( which is why hoses are changed every 4 years on rice bikes) and fluid should have been flushed every 2 years ..with the crap in the calipers being pushed out the bleeders.

for the type of riding you describe you could use plywood rotors, but buy the best quality ones you can afford with GOOD pads and you should be fine floating or semi floating.

The pad compound and proper break in/ bedding of the pads will be way more noticeable WRT braking performance than floating rotors..... and yes I have floating rotors on my 03 FLHTPI and I can't tell the difference from my 13 Limited.

Do yourself a favor, replace the hoses, check the calipers for proper function, and get good pads and rotors

 

I’ve used both, I like floating rotors but for the riding you described it isn’t worth the added cost.

 

Thanx, guys. Much appreciated. I just acquired this bike thru a trade deal for my Hot Rod so I don't know a lot about it. I DO know the previous owner was OCD when it came to service and care. The bike looks nearly new, has new rubber and the brakes, wheels and every other nook and cranny is spotless. This is a new learning experience for me as back in the day when I owned my 73 Harley all we had was a sportster, a super glide or an electra glide. Either a 1000 cc or a 1200 cc. Everything was easy. So, I guess I'll put some good grade non-floaters on and new pads. I'm thinking Kevlar will give the least brake dust? And I will flush the fluid and see what comes out. If it is cruddy I'll deal with it. If it is clean I'll leave it and see how it goes. Thanx again!

 

I vote floaters.

 

I'm interested in the old rotors!

 

They have a part number on them of 44364-00 . Is that something you can use? Before I change them I need to check the run-out and such to make sure I'm not just throwing parts at something. Send me a PM in a couple of weeks.

 

I just put OEM floating rotors on my bike and the cost difference was 10 bucks over non floaters. I would go with floaters myself.

 

Did you use a local dealer, or is there a "go to" online parts supplier that is more reasonable? The reason I ask is that my closest Harley dealer is 75 miles away.