New EBC Brake rotor on my bike

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I finally got around to installing the EBC rotor that I bought on sale last March.
I also installed new pads (required).  (stock BMW issue)
I also ended up renewing my brake fluid.


My question, mostly to Bob Roller because he installed some of these, but it just occurred to me that Bob R65 has been out of commission most of the summer.  Anyway...


The rotor turns free when you turn the tire, except for one small portion approximately 1 inch long (as measured at the outer edge) where it rubs the pad(s) slightly.

When braking, this is transformed into a on-off "squeak - squeak - squeak", it is silent when it is squeezing on the rest of the rotor.


Is this normal and will go away during the 300 mile break in period?  Or do I have the dreaded warped rotor?


I am really glad to have this on the bike finally, but boy does that shiny new metal make my wheel look like dog poop!


This is a "floating" type rotor, in that the outer rim is mounted on large "rivets" (they are large and open holed) with wave washers on one side of the rotor (on the rivets) so that the outer ring is free to move side-to-side just a little bit.


I am also being probably over-paranoid about "taking it easy" for the break in period, but maybe not?  I am using my rear brake for the serious stuff, just using the front to bed in.  I have only gone 40 miles of city driving today, and it doesn't seem much different from when I left the house.


Thanks in advance

Rob

[Justin B.]

Depending on what type pad I think the proper way to bed them in is doing a series of hard/panic stops.  You might want to do an internet search on this.

[Bob_Roller]

Rob, though I have yet to get the bike back on the road, I start vacation in 12 days, and I have 5 weeks off, and the weather has finally 'broke', the temps are finally fit to go in again, so I should have the R65 back on the road in about 2 weeks ( last time it was out was the second week of April !!!). To answer your question, the rotors have some movement, hence the term 'floating rotor' I would not be surprised if a few parts are a little tight. I think that a few hundred miles of riding should get things 'worn in'. Semper Gumby put EBC rotors on his bike, he would be our resident expert on these floating rotors.

[Joan]

I am really glad to have this on the bike finally, but boy does that shiny new metal make my wheel look like dog poop!

This thread is useless without PICS.

[Lowen]

I put an EBC rotor on my 84'R65 around three years ago and have never had any kind of brake noise since. On mine I had to drill out the existing rivets on the stock rotor and then the new one went on with bolts. I did have a problem with the lower caliper bolt end hitting the rotor bolts but this was easily fixed with an extra washer under the caliper bolt head.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Rob,

Yikes!  Is the rotor warped?  As I recall there are wave washers under the Big Rivits that hold the floating rotor to hub of brake disk.  These should center the rotor.  So it is more likly that the rotor has self centered off abit to one side.

Under braking is the rotor smooth and quiet?

Brake in:  I would take the bike up to about 70 mph if they have been working fine so far and nail the brakes to a full stop.  Give you an idea if you did any good (as compared to what you had).

The only drawbacks on the EBC's are propensity to rust in the rain and the rotors chatter against the hub when the front wheel runs over sharp bumps (when not braking).

I need to post a pic of my Galfer Brembo pad on ATE rotor mod.  I will take some pics tomorrow.

[Semper Gumby]

OK Here are a pic or two.  The first showes the rotors on the bike.  The rivits run outside in and the wave washers (springs) are on the inside held by a washer and then back side of the rivit.  The are a loose fit on the inner hub allowing the rotor to "float" This is the cause of the chatter when not under braking.



The second pic shows the back side of the caliper and the space I cut of the top of the pads so that ATE "Wheel Spring" will fit with the pad.  One thing I really like about the ATE brake is that when the metal surface of the pad is about to touch the spring - the brakes need to be replaced (easy wear indicator).  And yes my brake pads are about worn out (although they don't feel it).  I have replacement pads on my bench ready to be cut.



You can see the "wheel spring" between the pads.

More pics to follow as I replace the pads.