Rotor Thickness | GTAMotorcycle.com

Rotor Thickness

jolomatic

jolomatic

Well-known member
Question: is rotor minimum thickness determined by the rotor or the caliper (or something else)?

Context: I need to replace the rotor, as it has worn past its minimum thickness. Stamped on the rotor, and in the owners' manual, it states min thickness should be 5mm. Nowhere does it tell you what the max/starting/new thickness should be. I've looked around for aftermarket options (OEM is ~$500), and of the many options out there, only one actually mentions the thickness - and it is 5mm, and is stamped to show min thickness of 4mm.

So... if I use an aftermarket rotor, do I need to find one that is thicker than 5mm, or do I just go by the stamp on the new rotor?
 
Rotor.....and Owners Manual thickness

buy a used one...
 
Generally rotors have less then 1mm of wear available....If your rotor is 5mm minimum, then it most likely started off as a 5.5-6mm thick rotor....

My OEM Kawi front rotors start at 5.8mm-6.2mm and the minimum is 5.5

I now have aftermarket Braking SK rotors on it, and they start at 5.5mm and the min is 4.2mm
 
Excellent piece of information, thanks Johnny.

So when they get too thin - is the issue that the caliper can no longer squeeze it tight enough, or is it that the rotor is no longer strong enough and may break (and therefore won't brake)?
 
jolomatic said:
Excellent piece of information, thanks Johnny.

So when they get too thin - is the issue that the caliper can no longer squeeze it tight enough, or is it that the rotor is no longer strong enough and may break (and therefore won't brake)?
Click to expand...

I believe it has to do with the integrity of the metal, when it has gotten that thin it cant take the same amount of heat and will start to warp....
 
JohnnyP636 said:
I believe it has to do with the integrity of the metal, when it has gotten that thin it cant take the same amount of heat and will start to warp....
Click to expand...

I believe you're correct.
 
JohnnyP636 said:
I believe it has to do with the integrity of the metal, when it has gotten that thin it cant take the same amount of heat and will start to warp....
Click to expand...
Ok, well, I guess that answers the question, then - if a new one is starting at the minimum thickness, it isn't going to last.

If I can't get some answers as to the thickness of the other aftermarket rotors, I'll turn my search to used OEM.

Thanks for the help guys - you've probably saved me from an unwise purchase.
 
jolomatic said:
Ok, well, I guess that answers the question, then - if a new one is starting at the minimum thickness, it isn't going to last.

If I can't get some answers as to the thickness of the other aftermarket rotors, I'll turn my search to used OEM.

Thanks for the help guys - you've probably saved me from an unwise purchase.
Click to expand...

What bike is this for? If its for your ACE 750, there is one on Ebay listed at 6mm thick for $85. Im pretty sure that is what it would have started at or very close to it....OEM from Honda your lookin at around $200 for a brand new one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hond...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f99275ab

Or this one at 5.8mm thick
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43a94ed67d
 
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Yes - looking for my 2000 honda vt750 shadow ace.
I had seen those, but had no idea how to guage the fitness of a used part.
Not knowing any better, the idea of used brakes kind of makes me uneasy.

Thanks for reassuring me that used OEM is a safe option.

JohnnyP636 said:
OEM from Honda your lookin at around $200 for a brand new one
Click to expand...
Where? I'd gladly spend $200 for new OEM - Dewildt Honda quoted me something like $450 for a new one, hence my quest for suitable alternatives.
 
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jolomatic said:
I had seen those, but had no idea how to guage the fitness of a used part.
Not knowing any better, the idea of used brakes kind of makes me uneasy.

Thanks for reassuring me that used OEM is a safe option.

Where? I'd gladly spend $200 for new OEM - Dewildt Honda quoted me something like $450 for a new one, hence my quest for suitable alternatives.
Click to expand...

Let me double check that for you...
 
Yes you are correct, I assumed it would be cheaper because its a solid rotor with no carrier and buttons....As those are usually much cheaper....However your rotor for some reason is still $406.45 + tax. And Honda has 5 in stock in Canada

FYI I have bought and used many used OEM rotors off Ebay, Ive bought maybe 10 sets over the years and only got a bend one once...If you buy from a good seller with good feedback, that actually takes the time to measure the thickness and dial gauge the run-out of their rotors then you should be ok... At at 1/4 of the price you cant go wrong....If I was you Id pick the nice ones close to 6mm that look really clean and spend $100 on it no problem...
 
Excellent; JohnnyP, you da man.
I now have an action plan!

(LOL: In my gratitude, I accidentally wrote you a poem)
 
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