Brake job

[slarson]

My rear brake is starting to squeal and my front one is starting to pulsate. I'm thinking I need to do a brake job on both. Is this something better left to the stealership, or something most people can tackle? I'm thinking the front probably needs to be turned, because it acts like it is warped. Who does that, a m/c shop or an auto brake shop? Is there anywhere online that shows how to do this?  I'm sure someone will tell me to get a shop manual.

Steve

[Greg Cothern]

Be very careful on the front disc as there is a minium thickness and it is only 5mm worth of wear I believe.  Basically would be very difficult to turn a rotor and get any warp out of it.
The rear brakes are quite easy to accomplish, but I would check them as they tend to squeal after a rain or a Magna bath, LoL.

[roboto65]

Yeah greg is right heck I took my rear tire off and changed it when I was done after cleaning a little on the drum now it squeals when applied I don't use it that much anyhow.....  And generally if the front rotor is warped it's time to replace it

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

I am sure you could get it turned at Autozone or such as a rotor is a rotor. But, like Greg said there is a tolerance of 5mm.
Bob

[slarson]

Thanks for the info on the front rotor. I can't think of what other reason there would be for the pulsing? It's definitely rotational, grabs and then releases, grabs then releases. The bike has about 20,000 miles on it, and I'm not sure, but I'd bet the brakes are original. If the rotor needs to be replaced, anybody have somewhere where I can get one reasonably (or is that last part a silly question?)? I don't think the rear is a result of being wet. Maybe dust, but not wet. How about the rear drum? Can I just replace the shoes, or does the drum have more tolerance? Actually, there's no shimmy in the back, just the squealing. And again, is there somewhere I can get the shoes, besides the dealership?

I'm asking all of this because I rode a VTX1800 the other day because I thought I might want to move up to something heavier, but I just didn't like the extra vibration. In fact, the guy that had it rode mine and couldn't believe how smooth it is. Anyway, there are some maintenance things I need to do. I regularly do all of the routine stuff (oil, chain, etc.), but I need to look at the brakes, front forks (dealership said $200 to do both), coolant (I guess I should replace at 20,000), and maybe a new chain and sprocket. Wanted to do these over the winter. We'll see.


Steve

[roboto65]

Well if I am not mistaken and greg or curtis will correct me if I am anyhow the front rotor will run you about 185 out of dennis kirk but I am sure it can be had for less not a hard job.  The pads are about 35 to 45 depending what you get. The rears are about 30 or 40 while you are doing your chain and sprockets I would do the rear brakes most likely you won't have to turn the rear just rough it up with some sandpaper and put them back in!!!!!  Oh if you want to check the front rotor to see if it is bent just take a pencil or a pointy object and hold it firm against the fork and spin the tire move it close to the rotor and if you hear it hitting then not well it's probably bent.....  Hope this helps have a great day

[Gloveberg]

Thanks for the info on the front rotor. I can't think of what other reason there would be for the pulsing? It's definitely rotational, grabs and then releases, grabs then releases. The bike has about 20,000 miles on it, and I'm not sure, but I'd bet the brakes are original. If the rotor needs to be replaced, anybody have somewhere where I can get one reasonably (or is that last part a silly question?)? I don't think the rear is a result of being wet. Maybe dust, but not wet. How about the rear drum? Can I just replace the shoes, or does the drum have more tolerance? Actually, there's no shimmy in the back, just the squealing. And again, is there somewhere I can get the shoes, besides the dealership?

Steve

Steve, you would have to get the rotor VERY hot in order to warp it and to be honest I don't think the Magna has that capability, especially one with only 20K miles.  What you probably have is hot spots on the rotor.  Try removing the rotor and having it bead blasted then put on some new pads and bleed out the oil brake fluid with new.  This will get all the old pad material off the rotor and give you a good clean surface for the new pads.   All this should costs well less than $50

As for the back, the shoes are only around $30 and all you need to do is get some 100-150 grit sandpaper and hit the inside of the drum before installing the new shoes.

[Greg Cothern]

Jimmy and Roboto answered quite well, good job guys.  However I must say I have seen a warped rotor before very well could have been that way all along.  Jimmy is correct for about 99% of them this would hold true.  Roboto has a very good idea to have the rotor checked to make sure.  If you going to have the front rotor blasted then have the rear drum blasted as well, then install new pads.
The front forks you mentioned briefly, are you wanting new springs?  Or do you have seals leaking?  If they are just soft and you want them to perform better then follow the tips/tricks page on the MOOT site for the write up on progressive front fork installation.

[silveradocowboy]

My experience with warped rotors is that once they are warped they will eventually warp again even after having them turned.

My $.02

[slarson]

Greg,
The right fork is leaking. Not a lot, but enough to make a mess on the fork after about 6-7 days of riding. Is there a write-up on replacing the seals anywhere?

Steve

[roboto65]

http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/tips.htm#A1.18


There you go it is on the tips and tricks link on our main page on the left lots of good tips and the fork seal replacement goodluck let us know with any other ????

[slarson]

Thanks, Roboto. I widh I lived closer to Texas so I could come to some of the wrenchiing sessions you guys have so I could get my hands dirty on some of this with some guidance.

Steve

[roboto65]

No problem anyway we can help is no problem heck gives me something to do on this Boat heheheheheh

[slarson]

Are you living on a boat? That's my other passion.

Steve

[roboto65]

Well yeah it is work I am a Tugboat Captain heheheh live on mine for 2 weeks at a time heheheh