Need help ASAP!!

[daddyp]

Just a quick question really. Do the cross drilled vent "patterns" on the brake rotors need to be faceing a certain direction?

Bought close out set from Merriam Cycles (now out of business & not returning calls!)

Both sides have the same directional pattern. Ie. they look like they are from the same side. If I install them the right will be swept back & the left will sweep forward.
I know they don't directly affect the function of the brakes but will they vent properly if installed in reverse?

[mason79]

no difference other than esthetics

[daddyp]

Crap Now that I have them mounted to the front wheel I noticed that the left rotor is super loose between the center section (mounting surface) and the friction material (contact surface).
I know they are full floating rotors but this is ridiculous! The wave pins are set but I can easily move the friction surface by hand. Further more, the other side is a stiff as can be.
I'm not 100% sure but, due to the forces applied, I am guessing the rigid rotor is good and the super flexible (loose) rotor is defective.
I am not riding it like this
I guess I'll have to replace the old rotors & pads. That was a total waste of time. I am going to KILL Bob Jones for selling me this crap!
I thought he was the God of the Xsesives, suppose I was wrong about that. I hope he is a forum member & reads this thread!

[madmax-im]

Anybody wanna clue him in?

Merriam Cycles is no more...Bob Jones died last year...he is in XS Eleven Heaven.His wife has been auctioning whats left on ebay...I'm sure there are some XSives that could help you out.

[Crazcnuk]

Full floating rotors wha...........?

No idea what you are babbling about, but the rotors don't 'float'!

The calipers float, though.

Derwat and I both drilled our rotors, using Ken's template, with a couple minor changes.

All 3 of my rotors are drilled the same, ie; when on the bike all the swirls go the same direction.

Derwat only did his front rotors, and he goofed and made them opposite. He claims that he can hear the air 'squishing' out at low speeds....

I think he's hallucinating.

[daddyp]

First of all, I feel like a total ass hole and offer my apologies to the family of Bob Jones as well as his fans (which I was & am). I did not realize that it was his wife who was selling off his stuff; only that I bought it from Merriam Cycles. It would stand to reason that Mrs. Jones would not know about the condition of the parts.
I too am sad to see some one who could work magic with an XS; his s*$t was cool, every one of his bikes was bad a$$.

Now to address the comment of my "babbling on about" floating rotors. Most all modern bikes have floating rotors (as well as most of Bob Jones' XS 1100). Just a simple upgrade that allows for better centering of the rotor & pads, I guess.
here is a link that may not work so you can see for your self.
top of the page right side

I have not been working on bikes for years like some of you have. But that doesn't make me an Idiot!
I don't like to post on many forums for that exact reason. Some newbe like me comes along with a simple question; turning to great minds like many of you are. Only to be treated like a fool by some hot head master of all that is ...
whatever. I have read your tec. tips on drilling stock rotors, very cool. But not all of us have a drill press, hours of time, & extra rotors lying around or XS11 "bat cave" shop. I do have a few $$ though and a few hours on the weekend to bolt on performance so to speak.
So please don't take any of us rookies for granted, we may not be masters of the universe but we are learning & trying new things. I'm sure at some point even the Gurus where puzzled during an oil change.

[mason79]

you are not babbling the dumbest questions are the ones not asked, yes be patient, the right answer from the right person will show up...

[trbig]

Some newbe like me comes along with a simple question; turning to great minds like many of you are. Only to be treated like a fool by some hot head master of all that is ...

Try to assume that we aren't hot heads here... and we'll try to assume you aren't an idiot. Sound like a deal? We'll put a muzzle on Prometheus until you have a few posts under your belt. Don't worry though.. he thinks EVERYONE is an idiot.

If you have a digital camera, do a search on here about how to post a pic. You'll have to use a host site to keep them at such as Photobucket.com, then you can post from there to here. Pics help immensely when trying to diagnose things on here.

By the way... Welcome to the site!

Tod

[Ivan]

If you don't get it figured DaddyP, let me know, I might be able to make a trip on any given sunday to help out or at least stand with you while we scratch our heads.

I live in Hutch, so I am not that terribly far away.

[81xsproject]

I am guessing you are talking about EBC floating rotors. I have them on my wish list for sure, but at $192 ea., it will be a while... a LONG while. Again, be patient and you WILL get the help you need and more. 98% of the members here will give you great advice w/o the hard time. Forgive Crazcnuk, he does have a way with people. Of course he's not alone

[TopCatGr58]

What am "I" babbling about?

Hey DaddyP,

Yes, Crazcnuk stated something about you babbling, and the rest of that phrase is "babbling idiot", but I'm/we're sure that he wasn't implying or calling you one. He know better, and we have BANNED a few members because of similar type activities, it's not tolerated!!

But you KNEW that there was such a thing as floating rotors....for the XS11, but it appears that Crazcnuk was Ignorant to that fact. Now, I'm not calling him an "Ignoramous", the pure meaning of ignorant is:

Definition:
1. lacking knowledge: lacking knowledge or education in general or in a specific subject

2. unaware: unaware of something
ignorant of the danger

3. resulting from lack of knowledge: caused by a lack of knowledge, understanding, or experience
an ignorant mistake

Like you, we don't know everything, even the gurus, and so this could have been an opportunity to provide some insight and information to a fellow member that was obvious "not in the know", but you decided to percieve the comment as a SLIGHT, instead of just a statement of possible confusion?

SO...now for the education of fellow members that may not know about floating rotors for the XS11. They have been sold by MikesXS.com for some time for the 650's, and they will fit the XS11 as well!

High Performance Disc Brake Rotors for 77-84 XS650's
Stainless Steel Disc - Drilled - Fits: Front Right or Left - Less unsprung weight -
Approx 3.6Lbs. verses stock discs at approx 6.2 Lbs. - 298mm.Dia.
Japanese Made Superior Quality Performance Disc Brake Rotors.


Part #30-3065 $130.00 USD EA.

As for your loose disc problem, I checked out the EBC website via the link you provided, and regrettably, they do not cover that in their Q&A's or FAQ's, and so they did have a
Contact EBC page, where you could write to them inquiring about the LOOSE BUTTONS, and whether they could be sent/returned for warranty service/repair??

Their website does promote their new designed Square Groove button design vs. standard round button kind!?

I don't have any actual experience with floating rotors, but I'm pretty sure some of the real GURU's like Prom, as well as some folks with RACING experience may be able to chime in with more info/advice as to whether what you have is truly defective!

[TopCatGr58]

addendum

Here's the part numbers for the EBC rotors !!

MD 2024 LS
MD 2024 RS Fronts:
Fits 77-79 XS 650's and 78-81XS11's


MD 2024 Rear Fits 78-81 XS11

They state for bikes with dual front rotors to specify RS=Right Side and LS=Left Side as a suffix to the rotors you order, whereas the Rears do not use a suffix. The actual model #s are the same, but you can see the drill pattern is slanted, and so I am assuming that it's just so that they can mount the brake section for the respective side so that the drill patterns will match, and won't be backwards! Note the same #'s for the 650's!!
T.C.

[prometheus578]

"I am still puzzled by oil changes."

I understand of which you speak.
Most connections between the hub mating surface and the friction disk usually are firm.
I've seen them looser, but usually only after a lot of miles.
Sadly, I have no other info nor advice to offer.
(Never liked alterations nor race bikes... so I don't have a wealth of info or experience concerning performance braking systems.)

As for what you can do...?
Contact EBC's tech line and explain the situation.


Welcome to the site.
(And yes, TRBIG... Once he gets his braking issue sorted out and his justifiable frustration level drops a bit, then I will mock and tease him... till he feels right at home here)


_________________________________________
Oh, nice going, T.C.
I'm on the EBC web site looking for info... and typing that I don't know anything.... and then you pipe in stating that he should wait to see if I pop up with my expertise!
(I get bikes to go... stopping is someone else's department.)

[Shappers]

It is quite normal for the outer disc to be loose on floating discs.

They sit on a button which allows them to float, each button has a spring washer to apply some tension so the disc is not 'rattling' loose.

The discs have a self centering action as they are normally fitted with rigidly mounted calipers.

IMHO the one disc that you have which does not move is a little stiff and tight on the buttons if you cannot 'wiggle' it by hand. It will probably free up when used and then you will have two real 'floating' discs as they were intended to be.

If you were to grasp the front discs on any modern sports bike when cold you can wriggle them around. You won't be able to do it though when they are hot!

Here's what I fitted to mine.. and being 2nd hand they all are loose on the center pieces.

[daddyp]

Thanks for the advice! I guess I got a little wound up; not really my style. I was already feeling like an Idiot for my unkind words & the even worse situation about Bob Jones; I read both reply's at the same time. Just bad timing I think.
I actually emailed EBC prior to posting my little rant I tried calling the # for tech support that was in the box to. I think the rotors are older model cause the phone # was out of service. I just returned the old pads & rotors for now. It's not something I want to take any chances on. If I have to buy another rotor to match the right one (still not sure which one it is) I'll just have to chuck it up to a lesson learned in internet shopping. Though I must say, I still love eBay. I haven't really been burned there before.