SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
Front Brake rotor
Mikep328:
The DSS rotor is (per DSS) "cast iron and steel." Out of curiosity, I cleaned it with brake cleaner and spritzed some water on it and there was no rust the next day so whatever it is, it is at least LESS prone to rusting than solid cast iron. My cast iron brake rotors on other bikes will begin rusting if they just hear the word "water!" :)
I installed it this morning, no issues at all. It took maybe 20 minutes from start to finish. I didn't have my riding gear with me so bedding-in will have to wait for another day. I decided to leave the Versah pads (new last year and only around 100 miles on them) to see how they work compared to the OEM rotor. I also have a new set of DSS organic pads and a set of Brembo ceramic pads. So if the current pads don't strike my fancy I'll try the others to see which ones have the best feel/power with the new rotor. Of course, I may find that I wasted money on a rotor! ;)
Mikep328:
Went out today to bed-in the existing Versah pads with the new DSS rotor. It would be more correct to fit brand new pads but I was specifically interested to see if I could tell any difference with the only change being the rotor.
I used the same break-in procedure (posted by Oddjob) I had used when I did my prior brake work late last year. Upon completion of break-in, the brake was a bit better than before the rotor change. Of course, the question is, is it £200 better (price of the DSS rotor after VAT/shipping)? Well, I can "howl" the front tire with the brake and although I didn't try, I'm confident that based on the pressure required to "howl," I believe I could lock the front wheel which I definitely could not previously. BUT the difference is not dramatic and did not turn the brake into being capable of a two finger "stoppie". The work I did previously (with the OEM rotor) made the brake quite good - comfortable for any normal riding that I do.
So, is it worth £200? Hey, any reduction is stopping distance could be the difference between a crash and not. Looking at it that way, since £200 will barely cover the cost of a dinner/drinks for two at a decent restaurant, I could argue that the rotor is worth skipping one of those dinners! BUT I hoped for more based on a friend's raving about how much better 'ALL' new rotors are better than old ones and my conclusion is that it is not worth £200 as a performance "upgrade" over an OEM rotor.
NOTE that DSS does not claim that it is a performance upgrade over the OEM disc - it is stocked as a replacement rotor and it is very nicely made/machined/fits perfectly!! So if you need to purchase a rotor, I would absolutely recommend it...and you WILL get a bit better performance over the OEM!
andy120t:
Is that the same as a front brake disc? :)
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
That's a shame that to date the brakes only feel marginally better.
I would not be surprised if they might improve after 400 or so miles.
My 400 brakes are fitted with Brembo Carbon/Ceramic they have only done 200 miles since fitting them - each time I ride it they feel slightly better.
I have the same pads in my 500 that has barely done 15 miles - so far they are pretty poor - early days for sure.
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
--- Quote from: andy120t on September 07, 2024, 02:15:14 PM ---Is that the same as a front brake disc? :)
--- End quote ---
No, discs are under the front Mudguard - rotors are under the front Fender. ;) ;) ;)
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