Braking options
 

On yesterday's rideout I started to get a lot of vibration when I was braking, so much so that I started braking into bends that I wouldn't normally brake into just to see if it was still there or whether it would go away...as if :(

So, I haven't checked the discs yet, but since it's got gradually worse since I first felt it start to tingle on the way back from Yorkshire a couple of weeks back, I'm pretty sure that one of the discs will be warped and need replacing.

What are the options? I assume that since they're the original discs they'll both be worn by about the same amount and if one is warped the other may be about to give up as well. I also have a gut instinct that with something as crucial as brakes you don't want to skimp and that replacing them as a pair might be better.

However, I'm also getting teed off with launching money at the bike. It seems I'm always having to replace something, the brakes are just the latest in a 'to do' list that includes replacing a broken speedo or drive cable, getting the sidestand and the centre stand powder coated cos they've gone all manky, getting the DP exhausts I'm buying from Marko fitted, replacing the LCD display and trying to get an ally swingarm from an ST4S...

Obviously the brakes got right to the top of the priority list, but brake discs are expensive. Are there any good quality brake discs that are less expensive than genuine Ducati ones? Are waveys a viable option? What are the alternatives?

Of course safety is paramount so if the only option is to bite the bullet and cough for genuine parts then....

There are several options,none of them cheap tho.
You could source some s/h discs from ebay or this very board.Be carefull tho,as you might end up buying some that are more warped than the ones you already have.(Like I did!:mad: )
Firms like Ferodo,EBC,PFM,etc all offer replacement discs for around 300quid a pair.Add another 50-80quid for wavies.
PFM do a floating conversion kit where you retain your standard disc centres.The weld on the back of the disc "buttons" is ground off and the disc removed.The new disc is fitted with new buttons that are held on with circlips.I fitted some to the wifes 900ss and they worked a treat.Cost is around 100 pounds per disc.

Hmm,
Just had a flick thru the catalogues.It looks like the floater kits are not available anymore.Lots of mutterings about dodgy circlips!(gulp!)So its complete discs or nothing.

[Edited on 21-6-2004 by KeefyB]

Yoyodyne: Replacement Brembo discs US$130 each. That's about 140 quid a set! You usually get within 3-4 days.

Jools
 

u2u re some disc's i have for sale.

PFM's are superb:)

Don,t ever ever ever buy replacement disks which involve circlips. They might be suitable for a ped but thats about all.

Personally fitted EBC Prolites's with sintered pads when my 916's Brembos warped.

Can highly recommend for improved braking but can stick on if disks wet when bike put away after rain:puzzled: actually I presume this is due to cast iron disks rusting a little as opposed to the stainless Brembos not:eureka:

Hold on thar just a minute....!
 

Before you splash out £300 on new discs, take a few minutes to check out the 'buttons' that mount the ones you have now.

The discs should be semi-floating and are allowed to do this by the round buttons that sit between the rotor and the hub mounting carrier.

Can you move these buttons easily, turn them round in situ with just a finger on either side?

If not this could be your problem - the disc is not being allowed to move and is therefore being held at an angle that gives the impression that it's warped.

Take some WD40 or similar and a toothbrush and get to work at lubing and cleaning up the buttons, particularly the groove in which the rotor sits. Once this has been done and the buttons all move round freely, use plenty of brake cleaner to remove the lubricant from your brakes (if you don't they may not judder but they won't stop you either!) and see if that makes the difference.

I did this on an Aprilia Mille (same Brembo set up as my '99 SPS) and the transformation was amazing. It had previously judddddddderrrrrrrrrred all over the place under braking but suddenly ran almost perfectly smooth even with under the hardest lever pressure.

It tunred out that the discs were slightly warped, but this was only noticable below 10 mph as a gentle grabbing and letting go as you slowed to a stop.

Sold the bike nine months and a track day later with the same discs on and not a hint of judder.

Giles

Message to Jools rodent :rodent: 'Stop thowing money at this bike, bite the bullit and buy the 748/9** you really want'

Front judder can be loads of things, (he said with all the technical authority of a grape with the skin removed). Remove the discs and place on your kitchen worktop at home - should be a flat surface - are they really warped? It takes a lot of heavy braking, but I warped a brand new EBC disc on my CB500 in one race - had to return it.

Alternatively Jools.....just ride slower mate...you're obviously going too quick:lol:

WeeJohnyB

Thanks for all the replies...helps a lot.

Current plan is to check out Clippy's suggestions - cos as I wrote in an earlier U2U to BDG, one of my mates (yes, I do have some) had that exact same problem on his Prilly Mille.

If it is a warped disc, BDG has some at a good price that I'll have off him

:rodent:"As you know WJB...Jools loves his ST and wants to keep it as a 'ride-it-all-year-round' bike and for taking Mrs Jools on dirty weekends. He would love a superbike that never see's rough weather (unless caught out in it) and gets used on dry, warm roads and sunny trackdays only and gets polished a lot in between, sad fact is he can't afford it what with daughters wedding impending so until that glorious day arrives the ST will just have to do...and get thrashed mercilessly"

Jools: "Blimey, a sensible reply from the rodent"

:rodent:"My pleasure Jools...now, get on with it you tight git...just get a 749 and be quick about it, your boring everyone to death with your constant pining for summat quicker"

[Edited on 23-6-2004 by Jools]

Jools, why dont you spend about £5k and get an ST4S then you can still blitz past people on what is really a comfy 996! Or even spend £3500 and get an ST4 and pretty much the same applies!

Go on, you know it makes sense and its soooooo satisfying to pass the superbikes on a sports tourer!!

"Go on, you know it makes sense and its soooooo satisfying to pass the superbikes on a sports tourer!!"-but not half as satisfying as blitzing them on a 500cc single...............and I would know.;)

John

I hope this is all true about the ST4S since i have just ordered a new one!

It's the least powerfull bike i have had for years!!

So what have you been riding then?

Cos I've already got an ST2 and I go past superbikes on that...

Seriously, I've done the ST thing, getting a more powerful version wouldn't give me what I'm looking for. Don't get me wrong, I love the ST and it is a hugely underated machine. But... mine wouldn't be the easiest bike in the world to sell, even if I wanted to, so my plan is to keep it. As an everyday, out in all weathers, nipping down to the shops, taking the Mrs on the back, going touring, not getting left behind on rideouts, surprising the hell out of sportsbikes on trackday kind of bike...it's perfect.

But I do want a superbike. I have about £5K in my savings account right now and every Wednesday when MCN comes out, I'm sorely tempted to go and get a 748 from somewhere. But...I'm not going to do that. Partly because I would have to explain to Mrs Jools why I'd spent the money for her new garden, but mostly (and with no disrespect to 748 owners because they are lovely bikes) because they are getting dated. I'm going to have a bit of patience, and hope that the ST2 gets me through another 3 years without too much fettling.

By that time I will have paid outright for the car that I bought (just back in April) using my company car cash alternative. The car will still have very low mileage on it because I work a lot from home and, because I have a global role, the car only needs to take me to the airport each month and wait in the car park for a week until I get back. So the car will be good for another few years after that and I will use my cash alternative to fund my dream bike.

Going this route I could easily afford a 999R, but I would rather have a 749R and a new ST4S or Multistrada as well.