This was one of the few things during my restoration that went perfectly.
After 100,000+mi. my front discs ('79 GS1000EN)were in good shape but squealed the whole time. The rear was galled badly so I bought a new one. Over the years I tried several kinds of pads,cleaning, and Suzuki brand copper based grease to fight the squealing. The grease worked but only for a few weeks.I remembered an article in Jan.'81 Motorcyclist mag about disc drilling.
The benefits are:no more galling,(but you should always check pads for 'burrs'.) Squealing is virtually gone and if they do make a small squeak it means there is something on pad,which usually removes itself because the holes make the disc 'self cleaning'. Better braking if they get wet,they actually run cooler, reduce unsprung weight and make your bike look better. They also give you another way to lock your bike with a disc lock that fits 1/4'' disc holes.
I recommend the shop that did mine, Spec II, in Pacoima,Calif. 818-837-1313 ($60 ea.disc in'00) They do job the way Motorcyclist says to. They use cobalt bits to assure no warpage,they use a '3/2' pattern,which actually looks like 5 holes in a row but in an arc, completely around disc, like the angle of a circular saw blade. They do NOT chamfer the edges of holes,this results in better braking and self cleaning of pads.
It's been 2 1/2 years and 11,000 mi. so far and they're great! It's nice to not be embarrassed to use the front brakes. I called them and they are still at the same place,I did'nt ask if price has gone up. I'm not related or anything,just thought I'd pass on something that works and is worth the cost! KK.
After 100,000+mi. my front discs ('79 GS1000EN)were in good shape but squealed the whole time. The rear was galled badly so I bought a new one. Over the years I tried several kinds of pads,cleaning, and Suzuki brand copper based grease to fight the squealing. The grease worked but only for a few weeks.I remembered an article in Jan.'81 Motorcyclist mag about disc drilling.
The benefits are:no more galling,(but you should always check pads for 'burrs'.) Squealing is virtually gone and if they do make a small squeak it means there is something on pad,which usually removes itself because the holes make the disc 'self cleaning'. Better braking if they get wet,they actually run cooler, reduce unsprung weight and make your bike look better. They also give you another way to lock your bike with a disc lock that fits 1/4'' disc holes.
I recommend the shop that did mine, Spec II, in Pacoima,Calif. 818-837-1313 ($60 ea.disc in'00) They do job the way Motorcyclist says to. They use cobalt bits to assure no warpage,they use a '3/2' pattern,which actually looks like 5 holes in a row but in an arc, completely around disc, like the angle of a circular saw blade. They do NOT chamfer the edges of holes,this results in better braking and self cleaning of pads.
It's been 2 1/2 years and 11,000 mi. so far and they're great! It's nice to not be embarrassed to use the front brakes. I called them and they are still at the same place,I did'nt ask if price has gone up. I'm not related or anything,just thought I'd pass on something that works and is worth the cost! KK.
