Front discs repeatedly warp causing pulsation hard braking
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 945
Likes: 7
I took mine to dealer they checked them for run out and they were out of spec and they were going to replace the front rotors and ordered them. When I took it in the new mech said they were OK and rotated them 180 degrees. It did help but they still pulsate and now it's out of warranty. Go figure.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 637
Likes: 3
From: Laurel, Maryland
Yeah, go figure!
I took mine to dealer they checked them for run out and they were out of spec and they were going to replace the front rotors and ordered them. When I took it in the new mech said they were OK and rotated them 180 degrees. It did help but they still pulsate and now it's out of warranty. Go figure.
HD's exorbitant prices which have enough room for HD to make money and the dealer to make money plus labor.
Stupid Question for the group;
Can you flip the rotors around?
Am I dumb for thinking they have a specific direction they were designed to rotate? Much like a tire.
Ok, two stupid questions.
GSF
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 3
From: Mass.
I have an '05 RG with 77K original rotors no pulsating. I also have an '09 EGC with 25K, all of the rotors were replaced at 10K and are pulsating again. SO, my conclusion is that Brembos SUCK! Yes, they stop with less effort BUT, not in a shorter distance. I've actually done an endo with the RG (not on purpose) you hadda been there. So the braking isn't better with the Brembos just lower effort. I have to say that the quality of the components is inferior to the pre Brembo brakes. It can't be user error as stated above as BOTH bike would have warped rotors.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
I have not had good luck with the stock Harley rotors. I've had two touring bikes, and the stock rotors warped on both after a relatively short while. It was likely for the same reason, i.e., getting heat into them.
In my opinion you are smart to practice hard stops. It's the only way to know what the bike will do, and to get a feel for how much distance it takes to stop from various distances/speeds in an emergency. In order to be a competent rider, you need to know these things without guesswork.
I recommend you upgrade the stock brakes to 2008+ Brembo calipers, 2008+ master cylinder, braided lines, and floating rotors. The floating rotors I've got I've had for many thousands of miles and are as 'smooth' during stopping as when I put them on. The Brembo brakes are far better than the stock brakes on your 2007.
Alan
In my opinion you are smart to practice hard stops. It's the only way to know what the bike will do, and to get a feel for how much distance it takes to stop from various distances/speeds in an emergency. In order to be a competent rider, you need to know these things without guesswork.
I recommend you upgrade the stock brakes to 2008+ Brembo calipers, 2008+ master cylinder, braided lines, and floating rotors. The floating rotors I've got I've had for many thousands of miles and are as 'smooth' during stopping as when I put them on. The Brembo brakes are far better than the stock brakes on your 2007.
Alan
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 3
From: Mass.
I have not had good luck with the stock Harley rotors. I've had two touring bikes, and the stock rotors warped on both after a relatively short while. It was likely for the same reason, i.e., getting heat into them.
In my opinion you are smart to practice hard stops. It's the only way to know what the bike will do, and to get a feel for how much distance it takes to stop from various distances/speeds in an emergency. In order to be a competent rider, you need to know these things without guesswork.
I recommend you upgrade the stock brakes to 2008+ Brembo calipers, 2008+ master cylinder, braided lines, and floating rotors. The floating rotors I've got I've had for many thousands of miles and are as 'smooth' during stopping as when I put them on. The Brembo brakes are far better than the stock brakes on your 2007.
Alan
In my opinion you are smart to practice hard stops. It's the only way to know what the bike will do, and to get a feel for how much distance it takes to stop from various distances/speeds in an emergency. In order to be a competent rider, you need to know these things without guesswork.
I recommend you upgrade the stock brakes to 2008+ Brembo calipers, 2008+ master cylinder, braided lines, and floating rotors. The floating rotors I've got I've had for many thousands of miles and are as 'smooth' during stopping as when I put them on. The Brembo brakes are far better than the stock brakes on your 2007.
Alan
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: On the road to nowhere, UK
Warpage is due to hot pads gripping disc whilst stationary, thus causing localised heat distortion. Floating rotors handle this much better.
Finally, a note under the door from the spelling police - it's brake not break, ok?
Finally, a note under the door from the spelling police - it's brake not break, ok?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
When braking hard and you come to a stop, do you hold your brake. If so try this when you come to a hard stop, release brake, roll wheel approx 1/3 turn to get the hot caliper off one spot on the disk. Roll some about every 10 seconds if if you have to hold the brake. The rotor is hot already and the caliper is hot. This will spread the heat around allowing it to cool off and not in one concentrated spot.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: SE Wisconsin
When braking hard and you come to a stop, do you hold your brake. If so try this when you come to a hard stop, release brake, roll wheel approx 1/3 turn to get the hot caliper off one spot on the disk. Roll some about every 10 seconds if if you have to hold the brake. The rotor is hot already and the caliper is hot. This will spread the heat around allowing it to cool off and not in one concentrated spot.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: S central KY
had a jap bike with 40000 miles rode it the same way only put 1 set of pads and never had a problem. love my street glide but hate the 5 rotors in 23000 miles 3 rt 2 left seems to be a common problem harley should address this, most miles are interstate