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Turning a brake rotor

  • Thread starter Thread starter RKM50
  • Start date Start date
R

RKM50

Guest
Previous owner let the rear pads get too skinny and one side of the rotor has some grooves in it.

Maybe a dumb question but can a bike rotor be turned to clean it up like you would do a car rotor?

I was looking at some OEM parts sites and the cheapest I could find was $250, its on a 1980 gs1100.
Thanks In advance.
 
you have to see if it will be below minimum spec once ground (turned) down

all rotors have a minimum thickness that they can be

on my bike 83 GS750 minimum thickness is 6.0 mm

check your manual..

.
 
Last edited:
You don't turn bike rotors. you surface grind them

Ask at your local auto machine shop
 
What bike are you talking about anyway? Year and model would REALLY help.
It is HIGHLY likely that another forum member has another rotor they could sell you for
less than it would cost to clean that one up AND THEN, find out that it is now under-sized and unusable.

Eric
 
It's in the first post, 1980 gs1100.
Trying to find a used one was my next option.
Were you the guy (Eric) I sent the instrument pod and badges to? Did they make it there?
 
'80 GS1100 something OK.
I believe that all rear rotors from any model (A-Z) '80-up GS 550, 650, 750, 850, 1000 or 1100 will be the same part.
Except, of course, the 1150 rotors.
Which will work but have a different design.
(Did I leave anything out for those that enjoy following me around and correcting because I left out THE ENTIRE HISTORY of the GS model line?

Eric
 
eBay has used rotors for like $30 for Both fronts.
(if your rotors are the same as 750 and 850's)
 
Last edited:
Just slap on some new pads and ride.

There's not enough thickness on bike rotors to turn them, and surfacing them won't get rid of deep grooves without creating the same problem.

Once the pads bed in, you really won't notice any differences -- the new pads will quickly form themselves to the grooves.

If the grooves are really, really deep, locate a decent used rotor on fleaBay -- just be aware that they're all grooved to some extent.

While you're there, make sure your caliper is retracting fully, too. May be time for a rebuild, or maybe the PO just had bad braking technique.
 
I'll keep an eye on e-bay. the one on there now is solid, I'd like to find a drilled one. The fronts are drilled.
 
I know some good machinists. ;)

I have put new pads on also and running new brake fluid through helped a lot. The old stuff looked like coffee from sitting for many years.
 
Some good info there. The front rotors actually have slots and not nearly as many as those pictured in that link.
 
As for the brake fluid, I make it a habit to replace my brake fluid once year. Cheap insurance. After a couple years it tends to get the consistency of ear wax.

RKM50 said:
running new brake fluid through helped a lot. The old stuff looked like coffee from sitting for many years.
Click to expand...
 
RKM50 said:
I have put new pads on also and running new brake fluid through helped a lot. The old stuff looked like coffee from sitting for many years.
Click to expand...

If your brake fluid was that bad, you should take off the caliper and pop out the piston and see what's inside. I bet you'll be surprised
 
if they are to thin or you drill wrong you can crack them
if there thin and you use them they can crack and you wont know it
 
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