Author Topic: Front brake discs  (Read 2425 times)

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Offline Gillie76

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Front brake discs
« on: April 29, 2025, 20:05:57 »
My bike had its MOT today and passed with one advisory - front brake discs slightly warped. The mechanic said the most difficult part of the job is making sure the bolts come out without rounding them off as they should have been put in with loctite
Has anyone replaced their front discs and has any advice on how to do the job without having any dramas 🤯 Can't believe the price of discs too £150 EACH! 😳

Offline Rixington43

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2025, 21:27:28 »
Did mine last year, it was really easy with a decent quality long arm Allen key. Just make sure the bolts are clean so you get full engagement of the wrench.
Bolts all cracked easily and came out clean, discs came off with a light tap to release them from the hub. All back in to torque spec with a dab of blue Loctite.
Probably a 3 cup of tea job at worst.

Offline Gillie76

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2025, 21:46:51 »
Thanks mate. I am inclined to do the work myself and get to know the bike with everything I do. On a different note, I got the sit and fly seat cover you told me about and tried it out for the first time today in 20degrees of Scottish sunshine! It actually does increase the airflow down below 😀 I think with some more ventilated clothing aswell, things should be a lot less moist! 🤔😂

Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2025, 22:30:20 »
+1 on decent allen keys, clean bolts and blue threadlock. Don't forget new pads for the new discs and the bedding in process.

Offline nigel s

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2025, 04:55:32 »
 Heat the bolts first to loosen the Suzuki thread lock. Good heatgun is fine, just watch the paint  or camping gas stove to heat an old allen key held with moleys  to red hot then hold in allen bolt on disc . Quick tap with a drift then they should come as above , just crack it then move to the next till all cracked. I prefer an allen bit in a socket myself for high torque jobs  :shrug: . Be prepared to replace any bolts that might look like they will not go another time around  if the head looks dodgy. I use two bits of timber on the rim to keep the first disc replaced off the ground when fitting the second. Cross pattern to tighten. New pads on new discs, keep the part worns and use them when the new set are done to help offset the cost.
To bed in pads/discs find a quiet road, go up to 20 mph brake firmly ( not emergency stop not just brushing the lever just normally ) down to walking pace  ( don't stop ) back up to 30 , brake down to walking pace , don't stop, 40down , 50 60, and ride away. Takes about a mile to bed the brakes in. The idea is to mate the pads to the disc while gradually building up heat to cure the pad  material and without causing hot spots on the disc by stopping.  I do this whenever I service the brakes or otherwise disturb them. 

Offline Gillie76

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2025, 09:15:45 »
Nigel, wow thank you, what a comprehensive explanation  :ty:

Offline 2112

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2025, 11:25:52 »
Another tip, don't buy cheapo chinese discs, they are a massive false economy. One of my mates put a pair on his GS1200 after it failed the MOT on warped discs, they didn't last a year before they were worse than the ones that came off! The alledged 12 month gaurantee eveaporated as they weren't fitted by a VAT registered dealer... Buy shite, buy twice!
It's pronounced 'twenty-one-twelve'

Offline MisterDavey

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2025, 13:06:45 »
Also, the more bobbins the better. More bobbins mean they'll be less likely to warp. (so I'm told, but it makes sense)
Remember, you can cheat death a thousand times, but death only has to win once.

Offline Gillie76

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2025, 17:30:15 »
Thanks, I've ordered a pair of EBC discs and a set of stainless steel bolts. Don't want to be stuck if any of the bolts don't play ball. Nice fresh discs, pads & bolts, surely that's a good job to be done this weekend 🛠️ 🏍️ ☀️ I'll be pulling stoppies at the traffic lights!  :dance:

Offline mr_diver

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2025, 16:40:45 »
I've got EBC discs on both bikes, they do make a fair noise when braking compared to the worn stock rotors I've noticed.
that's with EBC HH sintered pads - I may swap them all to Ferodo Platinum semi-sintered pads as I've always liked the feel from them.



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Offline Gillie76

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2025, 20:34:56 »
Job done ✅
What a massive difference! I actually feel like I've got a proper front brake now. EBC discs and HH pads for the win 💪
Thanks for all your help 🙏

Offline nigel s

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2025, 06:15:10 »
Job well done , and just in time for the Bank Holiday   :thumb:

Offline Gillie76

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Re: Front brake discs
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2025, 09:19:44 »
Have a good one y'all 🏍️☀️🏍️☀️🏍️☀️🏍️☀️