slotted rotors

[figman]

I am thinking about buying some slotted rotors (front) for my 1978 Standard. Is this a worthwhile upgrade? I plan to add ss brake lines as well. Any opinions on these upgrades.

Thanks, Figman

[natemoen]

Be cheaper just to drill the ones you have. Not much of a benifit either way.

[DGXSER]

The SS brake lines are a definite improvement.

As to the slotted rotors, depends on the price. depends on your skill level and experience as to if you would notice any difference, I doubt most of us would.

[cywelchjr]

Except in the rain. In the rain the solid rotors can cause a real problem with initial stopping power, where slotted or drilled will catch and apply braking power right away.

[figman]

I just want better brakes. I have ridden for many years and enjoy the standard but as most of you know the brakes are a weak point. I think I will invest in the ss brake lines. Any other worthwhile upgrades?

Thanks, Figman

[figman]

Just looking to upgrade the brakes. As most of you know the brakes on the standards are weak (at least in my opinion) I also have the extra weight of the Vetter package. I think I will go with the ss brake lines for sure. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Figman

[crazy steve]

Just looking to upgrade the brakes. As most of you know the brakes on the standards are weak (at least in my opinion) I also have the extra weight of the Vetter package. I think I will go with the ss brake lines for sure. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Figman

That's about all you can do unless you want to look into a custom caliper and/or rotor swap. The calipers are actually a bit easier to do, it's just a matter of finding some that won't be too big of a hassle to adapt...

[motoman]

Aside from installing SS lines, dont expect braking to be what a dual piston caliper provides. All about hydraulic pressure and fluid displacement. Mine is still as it was when new. That is not necessarily a good thing but with no cracks from flexing at the fittings and regularly inspect before riding just because of age. Always been used to the limited braking effect on the front of these at highway speeds, and at lower speeds kinda like the anti-loc feel on the front. I don't ride the Venturer like my ST either just because first and foremost it IS a 30yr. old scoot now and too many things have fatigued over the years, even though still "looks" good.

[fredintoon]

Just looking to upgrade the brakes. As most of you know the brakes on the standards are weak (at least in my opinion) I also have the extra weight of the Vetter package. I think I will go with the ss brake lines for sure. Any other suggestions?
Thanks, Figman

Hi figman,
with some skill and research you can do a caliper upgrade on a Standard.
Us Special owners are stuck with those Weird Harold swivelly calipers.
Yes to stainless lines, they will improve any brake system.
Perforated disks work to sweep away brake dust & moisture so yes again.
If you have access to a milling machine to slot the plain disks or can find slotted disks for a bargain, great.
Or you can drill them.
You'll need a drill press, cobalt steel drill bits and lotsa coolant.
Use high tool pressure and slow drill speed.

[figman]

Aside from installing SS lines, dont expect braking to be what a dual piston caliper provides. All about hydraulic pressure and fluid displacement. Mine is still as it was when new. That is not necessarily a good thing but with no cracks from flexing at the fittings and regularly inspect before riding just because of age. Always been used to the limited braking effect on the front of these at highway speeds, and at lower speeds kinda like the anti-loc feel on the front. I don't ride the Venturer like my ST either just because first and foremost it IS a 30yr. old scoot now and too many things have fatigued over the years, even though still "looks" good.

I understand this is a 33 year old bike with 33 year old technology. I just want to have better brakes without dumping insane amounts of cash in it. I want the best bang for the $ upgrades.

[figman]

Hi figman,
with some skill and research you can do a caliper upgrade on a Standard.
Us Special owners are stuck with those Weird Harold swivelly calipers.
Yes to stainless lines, they will improve any brake system.
Perforated disks work to sweep away brake dust & moisture so yes again.
If you have access to a milling machine to slot the plain disks or can find slotted disks for a bargain, great.
Or you can drill them.
You'll need a drill press, cobalt steel drill bits and lotsa coolant.
Use high tool pressure and slow drill speed.

I do have an extra set of rotors and may have access to a machine shop who will drill them or possibly slot them at reasonable price. Hopefully with the rotor upgrade, ss lines and upgraded pads my brakes will be somewhat better. I have cleaned and flushed the braking system and have a set of low mileage calipers and master cylinder off of a 80 standard to use as well.

Thanks for everyone's input.
Figman

[DiverRay]

Drilled rotors and SS lines will change the feel of the brakes. You will go from f100 stock to Lincoln power brakes. When I changed everything on my '79, I did a panic stop shortly after and put the rear tire in the air!(and then broke the mirror on the truck that pulled out in front of me).
Do remember to CLEAN the brake system, and you can two finger to a stop with ease.

[crazy steve]

Here's a thought...http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...aliper+upgrade

Good used HD caliper sets can be had for about $75-100, but I'm sure some looking around a bike boneyard could turn up some alternatives. New 'better' rotors are expensive ($140-up! EACH!!), so this swap would qualify as relatively low-buck. The big obstacle is the thickness of the XS rotors at .270"; most newer bikes use thinner rotors (typically around .2"), so finding a caliper might take some looking. There was a link to a business who offered a resurfacing sevice for bike rotors for $25 each (can't find it now...), so if you had the stock rotors turned thinner to match a later caliper, it's just a matter of building the adaptor after finding a caliper.

As far as drilling vs slotting, there's little difference. Drilling you can do at home with a drill press, with a decent bit, cutting/cooling fluid, and time. You can even avoid the time-consuming layout process if you get a same-diameter drilled rotor off another bike and simply clamp it to the XS rotor and use that as a drill guide. I did all three of mine in under three hours this way...

[natemoen]

I do currently have a 54 hole pattern that I am trying to scan, but every time I scan a portion it resides it and just have not cared enough to get it worked out. I am trying to draw up a 72 hole pattern as well but have not finished it cause its not high on my priority list at the moment.

[b.walker5]

You guys need to talk to Foreda. I just sent him a cad file of rotor templates that I drew last year. Or PM me your email and I'll send 'em to you too. They may not be the pattern you're looking for but they're a good starting point to design your own, if you have Autocad, or something that will edit dwg files.