Author Topic: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?  (Read 1747 times)

Offline alexdecker

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Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« on: May 03, 2022, 08:00:55 PM »
Hey all

Alright, so using a rotor puller to try and get the rotor off the crank of my cb550. The thing won’t budge. Applied force, and even bent the rotor puller handle a little. It’s not coming off. Is there a trick I’m missing here? Or is it good old heat again?

Almost couldn’t get the rotor puller out again though, because of the amount of force I had pulled it in with.

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2022, 09:21:01 PM »
I assume you have given it a tap with a lump hammer whilst the puller was under tension.
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Online K2-K6

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2022, 09:45:24 PM »
Also grease/copperslip the puller threads as it will promote more leverage for the same torque.

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2022, 10:03:38 PM »
Also grease/lube on the contact point of puller.😉
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1. Running resto,
1978 Honda CB550K3.
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1980,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2022, 12:00:03 AM »
Are you using the proper puller or a generic 3 leged job,which never work

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2022, 03:47:22 AM »
I took 2 rotors off 2 cranks the other week so I could scrap the cranks as they were very rusty. Using the genuine Honda tool it took me less that 3 mins for each one and that included removing the bolt. No grease used, just threaded it in, tapped with a lead shot filled rubber hammer and they fell off, despite the rust.

Using the right tools makes the job so much easier and saves damaging anything. The genuine Honda tool looks like a cross, black with 4 different thread pitches on each arm so it fits multiple bikes. Not that dear to buy.

If you were close I’d pop round and remove it but of course your not, shame.

Watch you don’t lose the woodruff key when it finally comes off. Easy to do.
Kids in a the back seat cause accidents.
Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2022, 04:13:46 AM »
Stop winding him up Ken, there is no key on the fours!

Offline Sesman

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2022, 06:49:36 AM »
Yes, I lost both the woodruff key and it’s slot.😀

Offline alexdecker

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2022, 07:42:50 AM »
Tapped it. Greased it. Tapped it some again.

I am amazed how "lightly tapping" seems to be such an integral part of motor cycle maintenancene 😂

I am using this rotor puller tool I bought of CMS. I torqued it too much it would seem. I snapped my oil filter wrench (used to stop the crank from turning) and bent the handles a bit on the tool.

Any other ideas, other than a giant vice and more muscle?


Offline Sesman

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2022, 07:54:24 AM »
Alex, if you are splitting the motor, leave it on and tease it of with a block of wood and mallet later. Worked for me and no special tools required.

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2022, 08:47:23 AM »
The impact strike  is better than tightening up the puller too much and not just on motorcycle cranks.

On the old A Series BMC engines flywheels could be hard work even using fancy hydraulic pullers. The strike with a lump hammer frightened them into letting go. (Yes they had a Woodruff key)
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline alexdecker

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2022, 12:17:00 PM »
Problem is that I have dismantled the entire engine, so its just the crank I am operating with. So I don't have the weight of the engine or bike to stand against the torque.

Should I just torque it and smack it hard as hell with the hammer?

Offline Sesman

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2022, 01:16:26 PM »
I simply undid the bolt, strategically placed a bit of 2x3 softwood inside the rotor and worked it around tapping firmly, but not violently….of it popped.

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2022, 01:40:38 PM »
Brilliant! I learned a long time ago it’s sometimes better to walk away and take stock, regroup rather than going for the explosives!😂
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1. Running resto,
1978 Honda CB550K3.
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1980,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Rotor stuck. Is there a trick?
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2022, 02:53:04 PM »
You know Bryan I had to go and check the cranks I am scrapping as I have a VIVID memory of pulling woodruff keys out of the slots and it's a recent one.

I'm wondering now what the hell I was working on.

Getting old is starting to suck a little  ;D ;D ;D

This is the one I use. I think I paid about £10 for it in the 80s.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293326225468?hash=item444b9b003c:g:sVMAAOxyJs5RZT7f
Kids in a the back seat cause accidents.
Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

 

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