Front brake disc

My 2001 FXST is due for front brake pads. When I put it up on the jack, I noticed a slight warp in the rotor. It’s enough to cause a light intermittent drag when you spin the wheel. Is it necessary to replace the rotor at the same time or is it something the bike can live with? The bike has 22,000 on it, ridden in a reasonably sane manner. I was surprised to see any warp at all.

You can also use a crescent wrench on it to tweak it back, you will then at least have a little control to how much to bend it, like HRK said though it might warp again but you arent out anything to try and bend it back. Todd

Fron brake rotor

Thanks, guys - will try the crescent wrench with an old tire casing for a shield. Will let you know how it works out.

If you don't correct this problem it will damage steering head bearings. Do you not feel the shake in the front end when you are braking?

:gah: A slightly warped rotor will damage the steering head bearings? How??? If that were true, there would be six zillion bearings needing replacing because most rotors have slight warpage. A slight scrape on a stock rotor is about normal. Take a brand new genuine HD rotor and check it with plate glass and a feeler gauge sometime. You want pretty musch zero runout? Go full floater so the disc is allowed to center itself. Or, go stainless like Russell or LRB.

Unless you have serious warpage, the most you usually feel is a slight pulse in the lever. If the warpage was bad enough to shake the front end.... well you would sort of kind a know it....


JMHO. YMMV.

Uneven wear on front pads

I have just checked my front pads and noticed that the outer pad appears to have twice as much wear as the inner. What would cause this?

Obviously it's too much braking when making RIGHT turns!

Brake disk wear

Would riding to/from work in reverse help

Oh my gosh NO! That is far too dangerous.

If the wear is on the right, then keep making fast LEFT turns and brake while doing so until it's even. Then for every right turn be sure to make a left turn and vice versa. In 7 years your rotor and pads will either be worn out or you will at least finally arrive back at home.:roflmao:

Good luck.

Thanks 2 days NO work

Took your advice and have only taken Left hand turns but have been unable to get out of the estate I live on :roflmao: My boss is none too happy :rant: but has offered me the use of a gps so that I can plot a route to work with twice the number of Left turns than rights but will still get me there and if I leave at 0314 hrs each morning I will cover the 2.6 miles to work by 0745 hrs. :roflmao: :roflmao: So thanks for the Help

You might want to consult with UPS, I heard that they only make right turns now to save gas. This might explain why I am still waiting for parts. -Devo