Lousy rear brake

[Tfrank59]

I'm in need of a new rear brake rotor.  Worn down to the min.  Anybody know the best place to buy a new one?  My girl is a '98, and I know the later years rotors don't fit.  Thanks.

[gordonv]

eBay is where I look. Someone bought the Chiness knock offs, might want to try them or wait for more reviews.

[salty1]

Item 14;
http://www.procaliber.com/oemparts/a/hon/506cb5f7f870023420a416c5/rear-wheel

Maybe this;
http://www.bikebandit.com/aftermarket-parts/motorcycle-control-and-brake/brake-rotors/ebc-standard-brake-rotor?m=151423

[BobB]

I had purchased a less than new rear rotor off eBay a year ago that I just installed.  The old rotor had about .006" of meat remaining on it and that had not gone down in the years since I rebuilt all the brake calipers.  If you replace the rotor, perhaps a caliper rebuild is also in order.  Just my $.02...

[pancho]

While this one may not work for you Tfrank, it does show that deals can be found on eBay for used parts,, this one is claimed to measure a bit better than new...?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-97-98-99-00-01-02-GL-1500-C-GL1500C-VALKYRIE-REAR-BRAKE-ROTOR-DISC-7-52MM-/262075615095?hash=item3d04ec8777:g:DWIAAOSw42JWDqps&vxp=mtr

[Tfrank59]

Thanks for the replies.  I've seen the ebay used ones and figured they're not a lot better than mine--burnished and grooved--though they might have more than the min. thickness.  I also think I'll need to rebuild the caliper, but since I know the rotor's basically dead I thought I'd start with it.  I put new OEM pads on it around 6K miles ago, so I doubt new pads would improve things.  After reading Gordon's reply, I saw this Chinese rotor (located in china!), and wondered if anybody's got experience with one like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281700446899?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[98valk]

  My girl is a '98, and I know the later years rotors don't fit.  Thanks.

 that is not correct, all yrs fit including GL1500 goldwings which can be had for less $$ and are lighter such as this top quality bike master
 http://www.ebay.com/itm/201494199768?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-43251-MT8-000.html

also ST1100 uses same rear disk

[Rio Wil]

Along with replacing the rotor, at least take the pistons out of the caliper and clean the grimy crud off them and the bores, seals are not expensive either ........ Also, the pivot bolt on the rear brake lever has a tendency to rust up and bind slightly causing undue wear on the rear brake components.

[BobB]

  My girl is a '98, and I know the later years rotors don't fit.  Thanks.

 that is not correct, all yrs fit including GL1500 goldwings which can be had for less $$ and are lighter such as this top quality bike master
 http://www.ebay.com/itm/201494199768?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-43251-MT8-000.html

also ST1100 uses same rear disk

Tfrank59 was exactly correct! 

The rear rotors on '97 and '98 Standards and Tourers  are different that those of all years of Interstates and any Valkyries from '99 on.  The six screws that secure the rotor to the hub are not recessed into the rotor.  This has been discussed here before.  Search is your friend.

[98valk]

then use the other screws. yes?

[BobB]

then use the other screws. yes?

Well yes but, it's obvious that there was an engineering change for the '99 model year when Interstates were first introduced.  We do not know what the scope of that change was, it may go beyond the rotor and screws.  That is why I have chosen to stick to the parts for the model year as long as they are available...

[98valk]

then use the other screws. yes?

Well yes but, it's obvious that there was an engineering change for the '99 model year when Interstates were first introduced.  We do not know what the scope of that change was, it may go beyond the rotor and screws.  That is why I have chosen to stick to the parts for the model year as long as they are available...

looking at the parts fiche it looks like the right combo of disk/screws will fit all yrs as that is what partzilla and procaliber list as what fits what. the screws are used on many honda bikes front and rear. they both lists the valkyrie rear disk any yr fits any yr plus disk is used on the GL1500 and ST1100.
Good Luck.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah, it's a fact later years rear rotors are different (but not fronts). I actually have a '01 rear wheel w/rotor and documented the differences from my '98. Just changing bolts won't do it--search old posts from summer 2015--the inner area is thicker on the later models. If not the case I'd be using my 01 rotor instead of shopping now.

[Tfrank59]

Here's the thread where the rear rotor differences are documented – see my post about halfway down for the exact differences: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,80852.msg794280.html#msg794280

[rhinor61]

The '97-98 bike/rims are different.

Amazon has the EBC brake rotor for $128
http://www.amazon.com/EBC-Pro-Lite-Floating-Rotor-MD1077/dp/B000GS23VK

next time check your brake pads... OEM are the best, never EBC pads, too hard-eats the rotors.

J.

[98valk]

Here's the thread where the rear rotor differences are documented – see my post about halfway down for the exact differences: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,80852.msg794280.html#msg794280

Thanks.
now reading that I tend to remember it was posted yrs ago that either the caliper and/or bracket was changed to accommodate the rear wheel/rotor difference or the added shims for the I/S?

[indybobm]

Here's the thread where the rear rotor differences are documented – see my post about halfway down for the exact differences: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,80852.msg794280.html#msg794280

Thanks.
now reading that I tend to remember it was posted yrs ago that either the caliper and/or bracket was changed to accommodate the rear wheel/rotor difference or the added shims for the I/S?

The actual difference is in the wheel itself. All rear brake caliper brackets are interchangeable.
All rear calipers are interchangeable although there may be an internal difference in the caliper itself (piston diameter).

It is absolutely nececessary to look at the wheel and determine if it is a '1J' or a '2J' and then use the correct rotor.

A number of Valks have had a rear wheel change for a variety of reasons. I.E. a '98 Valk might have a '2000 Interstate rear wheel, or the opposite. You have to go by the number on wheel. It is in the cavity inside the rear rotor.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah now I'm thinking about taking my 01 rotor and modifying it to fit my 98.  I know that hardened stainless would be a bear to cut in a lathe, but now seeing the prices of new ones – even the cheaper aftermarket ones – maybe I should do it. ???