Brake Discs... What's the difference?

[placidfemme]

As some of you know I've been in the process of fixing up my ZXR and getting her back on the road...

One of the things I need to replace are the brake disc's (not from the accident, just general wear and tear for WOF).

I've been looking around for the best option (has to look good, as well as a great price and reliable product). And one place I called up asked:

"Are they floating brake disc's"

Here I am thinking... "And what? You want me to throw them in some water to find out?"

So whats the difference between floating brake disc's and not floating brake disc's (Which I now call sinking brake disc's).

Which is the better option (I know you don't get an option it depends on the bike), and what makes them so different...

P.S. Mine are floating

[kickingzebra]

Floating disks have ringlets holding the disc onto the carrier (and that bolts onto the body of the bike)

Non floaters, the whole disc is cast in one piece.

With floaters, it is possible to keep the carrier, and replace the disc, saving yourself money, but it is difficult/nigh on impossible to machine the discs to flat if they are warped.
With solids, they are more liable to warp, as the steel mass is bigger, and all in one piece, with no room for expansion.
If the bike has floaters on it, you are much better to replace like with like. The bad news is, the one I got out of japan for my zzr was $450.
Freddies discs do replacement ones cheaper than that, probably 500 odd for the pair.

[Motu]

Floaters - they are shit,and they don't sink,no way!

[placidfemme]

Floating disks have ringlets holding the disc onto the carrier (and that bolts onto the body of the bike)

Non floaters, the whole disc is cast in one piece.

With floaters, it is possible to keep the carrier, and replace the disc, saving yourself money, but it is difficult/nigh on impossible to machine the discs to flat if they are warped.
With solids, they are more liable to warp, as the steel mass is bigger, and all in one piece, with no room for expansion.
If the bike has floaters on it, you are much better to replace like with like. The bad news is, the one I got out of japan for my zzr was $450.
Freddies discs do replacement ones cheaper than that, probably 500 odd for the pair.

Thanks I know they are pretty expensive...

I found a place in Aussie (Brisbane) that does the brake disc's in anodised colours, but they require that you send in your old disc's before they send you the new ones... they charge $220 Aussie dollars per disc.

There is also a guy on TradeMe who is selling disc's for about $300 each, then from the bike shops they start at $360 each all the way up to $450 each...

It's good to know that my floating disc's are better than the sinking ones

[Two Smoker]

Thanks I know they are pretty expensive...

I found a place in Aussie (Brisbane) that does the brake disc's in anodised colours, but they require that you send in your old disc's before they send you the new ones... they charge $220 Aussie dollars per disc.

There is also a guy on TradeMe who is selling disc's for about $300 each, then from the bike shops they start at $360 each all the way up to $450 each...

It's good to know that my floating disc's are better than the sinking ones

$600 for GSX-R ones

[Devil]

To sort of explain what floating disc are:

By having the brake rotor not directly connected to the carrier (just sitting on those little rings) it allows the rotor to have a small amount of lateral movement, reducing the lateral stress on the brake caliper should the rotor be not perfectly flat. ie, built in tolerance to warpage. Try grabbing one of the rotors on your bike and give it a wiggle. it should move a little bit.

[scumdog]

Why are bike discs so expensive?
They are WAAY more than car discs!!!!

[XTC]

I remember when discs were 6-8mm thick and had no namby pamby slots in them and lasted for ever.... But then poofy riders started wanting bikes to be lighter and go faster and stop quicker.... So things were made smaller and lighter and with a much reduced life span. The price you pay for progress. Best idea is to treat your modern sportsbike as a disposable item and replace it with a new one before it is 2-3 years old then you'll never have a problem. Or buy a bmw and put 250000 k's on it with only regular servicing.

[placidfemme]

$600 for Gixxer ones? Damn, so now I know what to look forward to when I get my next bike...

But they last pretty long don't they? I've owned my ZXR for over a year now, and this is the first time i've had to look at replacing the disc's, and I don't know how long they were on the bike before I got them...

Do they last about 2 years, or does that depend on your style of riding? Like obviously racers would need to change them more often due to the constant heavy braking right?

I also can't believe how expensive they are... but a lot of thing bike related are stupidly expensive... like I needed a new adjustable screw for the clutch calbe... and that was $20... for a stupid little screw...

[XTC]

To sort of explain what floating disc are:

By having the brake rotor not directly connected to the carrier (just sitting on those little rings) it allows the rotor to have a small amount of lateral movement

It also alows the disc to expand and contract without stressing the carrier and to help reduce the risk of warpage. And allows the carrier to be made of a much lighter material than the heavy stainless or cast material of the disc. You could hear the floaters on my VF1000R rattling at low speeds.

[scumdog]

As my bro says; "the only thing cheap in motorcycling is filling up the petrol tank".

EVERYTHING is more expensive than car equivalent.

[imdying]

I remember when discs were 6-8mm thick and had no namby pamby slots in them and lasted for ever.... But then poofy riders started wanting bikes to be lighter and go faster and stop quicker.... So things were made smaller and lighter and with a much reduced life span. The price you pay for progress. Best idea is to treat your modern sportsbike as a disposable item and replace it with a new one before it is 2-3 years old then you'll never have a problem. Or buy a bmw and put 250000 k's on it with only regular servicing.

Yeah... I remember when bikes were slow, and the tyres were so crap that you couldn't have used good brakes anyway. Progress eh, what a bitch.

[XTC]

I remember when speeding tickets were affordable and you didn't need to worry about them. I also remeber when drink driving was acceptable

And placid..... I remember when gay meant you were happy or brightly coloured

[scumdog]

I remember when speeding tickets were affordable and you didn't need to worry about them. I also remeber when drink driving was acceptable

And placid..... I remember when gay meant you were happy or brightly coloured

And I can remember when a 4speed was leading edge stuff and six 0'clock closing was the norm...


But times they are a-changing.

[bugjuice]

I got a pair of discs from a guy in Waihi. He did these discs for me for $650 returned, then I bought some new pads. Give Graham a quick email at powermotorcycles@hotmail.com and see what he can do for ya