SuzukiSavage.com - Risks in drilling my own front rotor?

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Risks in drilling my own front rotor?
01/20/17 at 13:48:02

Not to take away from the guys here that offer brake rotor drilling, but why can't I just do it myself on my drill press? I have watched videos and read posts and understand how to use a compass to get nice, clean and symmetrical drill points so it is balanced and looks nice.

I am in no hurry and am a do-it-yourselfer, and next time I have the front wheel off for any reason I am thinking about drilling mine...unless I am at risk of really screwing something up. Shocked

Thanks!

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28887 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #1 - 01/20/17 at 14:02:35 I don't see why you can't. Don't use a regular drill, it won't last but a hole or 2. I use carbide and I still have to sharpen every disc.
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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #2 - 01/20/17 at 17:37:49 This mod is strictly for looks and not for performance so would this cause any stress cracking in the rotor?
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Ruttly

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Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor?
Reply #3 - 01/20/17 at 21:02:28

Had my buddy do the layout and center punching. I drilled both front rotors at the same time , bolted them together with a washer inbetween. Drilled them at work on my breaks , it took weeks and a lot of drill bits. Turned out nice , still have that SR500 . Both fork legs had caliper mounts, got the opposite bracket & caliper & rotor from a XS650. Drilled rotors rebuilt calipers drilled out junction block under triple clamp for better flow got a longer banjo bolt and new braided hoses. Dual drilled discs that look like OEM from the factory , drilling also served to offset some of the extra weight !
So drill your own rotor but I would rather pay someone to do it , time consuming. Find a spare on eBay , drill & ride , swap it out when the wheel comes off !
If a know nothing like me can do it so can you.
Or just bite the bullet and buy the upgrade from Shawn , what a great setup , I love it !

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Dave

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Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor?
Reply #4 - 01/21/17 at 03:32:00

Kris01 wrote on 01/20/17 at 17:37:49:

This mod is strictly for looks and not for performance so would this cause any stress cracking in the rotor?

This mod might not be just for looks...sort of depends how hard you use the brake. The holes do help a bit with cooling, and if you get the pads hot the holes allow the pad material to outgas....which is supposed to keep the gas from building up between the pads and disc and reducing the friction between the pads/disc.

I have drilled 2 Savage discs, and I don't remember the disc material being excessively hard or taking a very long time......although it does take a couple of hours if I remember correctly.

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Armen

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Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor?
Reply #5 - 01/21/17 at 07:19:30

Like a lot of bikes, the discs are stainless steel. Stainless isn't by it's nature the hardest steel, but most stainless does a lousy job of transferring heat. So, as you are drilling, the area around here you are drilling gets pretty hot. If you don't use enough of the right kind of lube, the metal can get so hot it will 'work harden'. And then drilling becomes a nightmare.
Back in the 80's I tried to drill a disc on a drill press and failed miserably. Many years later, I have access to a CNC mill and it's a piece of cake.
I did a disc a while ago and drilled 250 holes with one drill bit without stopping to sharpen it.
A water based coolant in a flood set-up works great for removing the heat.
Barring that, using a pump bottle and a lot of lube works if you take your time and are patient.

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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5112 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #6 - 01/21/17 at 10:05:17 Did mine on a drill press , reason it took weeks cause only drilled for 15 minutes a night and started by drilling pilot holes and then increasingly larger bit were used and I use "Tap It" fluid for drill bit lube. You can't be in a hurry , you must take you time !
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #7 - 01/21/17 at 10:35:34 I'm too old and tired to be doing stuff that just looks good.
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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5112 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #8 - 01/21/17 at 12:03:25 Cheaper and easier to have someone else do it !!!
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #9 - 01/21/17 at 12:15:03 Leaving it alone is the cheapest and easiest way.
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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5112 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #10 - 01/21/17 at 12:18:45 You got me there !
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piedmontbuckeye

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Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor?
Reply #11 - 01/27/17 at 08:37:24

Now, in my "retirement" job, I setup and machine 303 and 304 Stainless all the time. I think the number one key to remember is to run cutting speed (basically means RPM of drill) much slower than any other type of metal. Also, do not use cheap drills, and DO use stubbys if possible.

I use stubby 9% (or is it 7%) cobalt.

Also, the use of a coolant is mandatory. Heat is the drill's and metal's worst enemy.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #12 - 01/27/17 at 08:48:48 Heat is the drill's and metal's worst enemy. As I've aged I've noticed that it's not exactly my best friend, either.
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piedmontbuckeye Senior Member Offline Go Bucks! Posts: 496 Easley, SC Gender:	Re: Risks in drilling my own front rotor? Reply #13 - 01/28/17 at 05:03:01 justin_o_guy2 wrote on 01/27/17 at 08:48:48: Heat is the drill's and metal's worst enemy. As I've aged I've noticed that it's not exactly my best friend, either. Great comment! I still like my weather down here in SC than when back in OH. Longer riding season. But, Oh...., the HOT summers!!!
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