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Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:02 pm

I think one of my front rotors is warped .. but dunno how this could have happened as they look fairly new, and also only started noticing this when I had the front forks out and back in to replace the seals ..

I am getting a "tick tick tick tick" from the front at low speeds where I believe the pad is being kicked back into the calipers and is becomeing very annoying. This stops when I apply the front brake.

Also, a fairly good vibration at medium to high speeds .. :?

Now, is it simply throw in the bin and get a new one? .. or can these be straightened fairly easily?? Also, when replacing one (I think its only one) .. should I replace both?

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:06 pm

is it really a tick tick tick?? cos if it were warped then parby you would hear more of a swoosh as the rotor touched the pad...

the vibration sounds like a worry tho...

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:10 pm

Six Addict wrote:is it really a tick tick tick?? cos if it were warped then parby you would hear more of a swoosh as the rotor touched the pad...

the vibration sounds like a worry tho...


Yup .. tick tick, not swoosh swoosh :roll: .. I know the swoosh swoosh sound of pads ... its like the pad is almost loose and moving around kinda sound on each rotation ..

And .. vibration is when applying front brake of course, hence the thought that its warped ..

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:12 pm

fair enuff... lets not quibble over ticks and swooshs... :lol:

maybe someone with more knowledge will help us :lol:

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:19 pm

I think you'll find if it is warped when you go to apply the brakes there will be nothing happening at first as the warped disc pushes the pads apart, do the brakes still work ok apart from the ticking noise? (have you checked a "Mate" hasn't put a cable tie on a spoke!? :lol: )

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:30 pm

ducati_paul wrote: (have you checked a "Mate" hasn't put a cable tie on a spoke!? :lol: )
:lol: thats a farkin classic :P

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:37 pm

Brakes work fine .. just vibrate heaps at high speed when putting the anchors on .. and no, no spoke sabatage has taken place ;)

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:45 pm

Richo wrote:Brakes work fine .. just vibrate heaps at high speed when putting the anchors on .. and no, no spoke sabatage has taken place ;)


They were most likely warped prior to removal also. However, when you replaced them, you have not put them back on the carrier in the same positions. Therefore, you are feeling the vibration more. Rotors can be flattened back out with "Some" degree of success by the right players. However, once again, replacement rotors are the best solution. Some people in here have fitted Galfer stuff to theirs with some success apparently. I think if you contacted "all things ZX9R" or Phil as he is affectionately known in here, he could point you in this direction. There are also people who do stuff locally. However, once again, success stories are patchy from what I have seen. Good luck with whatever you do.

As an aside, the rotors on my ZX9R were warped when I bought it and I did 50,000 odd klms on them and then sold it to another guy who is still using the same rotors. Mind you, I tend not to use the brakes too much as they only slow you down!!!! :kuda:

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:13 pm

get a nice set of glafer wave rotors richo... first bit of bling 8)

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:22 pm

Richo wrote:Now, is it simply throw in the bin and get a new one? ..


bro you just bought the bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont throw it away just yet :lol: :lol:

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:37 pm

Are you definately positive that it's the disc rotor that causes the vibration???

If it is I would replace it, I would hate to be traveling at a good speed and have the handle bars vibrate on me.

Vibration could be caused be unbalanced wheel or buckled rim that I have experinced going down the striaght of eastern creek or even steering head nut

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:40 am

Richo wrote:Brakes work fine .. just vibrate heaps at high speed when putting the anchors on .. and no, no spoke sabatage has taken place ;)


When the brake lever pulses like this you can just about guarantee that its the disc thats out of alignment. Its the weakest link due to the frequent pressure that its put under, try taking it to someone to mic up if your not sure.

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:22 pm

Ok .. so I took it to the local workshop (Dave#3's garage) and using the micrometre have found its a little out of whack both on x & y axis .. but not too bad.

Gonna whack in another disk to see if that makes any diff .. :D

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:08 pm

you positive you installed the forks correct?
make shore their the same distance from your tripple tree.

Re: Front Rotors warped?

Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:49 am

kawasaki250 wrote:you positive you installed the forks correct?
make shore their the same distance from your tripple tree.


I didnt do it .. was done by a bike mechanic ... i HOPE it was done right :shock: but interesting comment, will take a looksie
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