Doc Harley’s Harley-Davidson Floating Disc Tip

[@rickyhawkins7407]

2018 with 115,000 miles. Awesome for that owner. Wish I could ride mine that much.

[@robbolog40]

Great video. It’s also a good idea to put some blocks of wood under the rim/tire so the weight of wheel assembly is supported by the rim/tire and the brake disc isn’t resting on the concrete or other work surface.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Great addition to this tech Tip👍….Doc

[@oldamerican8070]

That's a good practice for any multiple anchor assembly. Thanks Doc.

[@ThomasLee-ss4bv]

Hey brother, what i use is a thin piece of plastic cut out to fit the washer. I slip it under the washer and then thread the bolt down. Saves the finger tips.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I appreciate the tip, it’s always good to see new tricks of the trade…Doc

[@schachat01]

Thanks Doc for another great tech tip explained in very thorough and concise manner👏

[@medcook57]

As always, great information on something you don't do very often. I had no idea about all of the do's and don'ts.

[@CabinGuy]

Thanks for all the great tips Doc, love your channel !!

[@kevin6070]

Awesome 👍🏻 great information on making sure even if someone doesn’t for you to keep a close eye on them , job well done ✅ Doc

[@travisgray3331]

Thanks Doc. Happy Holidays to you and your crew

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Same to you…..Doc

[@okiemale1589]

😎👍 Big thumbs up for the channel... Good job Doc...

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you…..Doc

[@georgeparker7108]

Thanks for sharing Doc, I've learnt something new.

[@bradduffield9603]

Thanks Doc for the expert advice.

[@zoof1]

I put the spacers in first without the bolt and made sure they were all in the disk correctly then the bolt and spring for each one. Much easier.

[@Pw.papa.7]

Thank you for this video and information getting ready to do my bike this weekend 😎🥃 in Michigan

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Have fun!….Doc

[@stephendrake8145]

i prefer the full floating discs with the brake disc separated from the carrier which is bolted to the wheel. This allows the disc to float more freely and isolates the heat & expansion of the brake disc from the wheel assembly. Also the standard wheels have a bolt pattern that allows fewer choices of full floating discs. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving now Doc...

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thankful for your added input….Doc

[@bobmurphy3723]

No lock tight? Thing’s I didn’t know thanks Doc

[@chrislanagan1128]

Needed to see this I'll be doing this in few weeks 🤟 thank YOU 💯 % for all your tips thru Year's 🤟

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I appreciate your support….Doc

[@philp1072]

Thanks Doc really appreciate the great video

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for watching….Doc

[@CATmanATL22]

Good tip Doc ,just in time . In the spring when I do my brakes I have to do my rotors on my Roadking ……..

[@DC-sh8mr]

I put spacers and springs in rotor first then I put screws in. I start them by hand. Blue locktight.

[@TrustyZ900]

Parts made in Italy, how delightful!!!!

[@ernestrhoades5147]

Those things you are calling springs are actually Bellville washers and they come in differant thicknes to get a preload on a assembly .

Hey Doc Recommend cleaing internal threads if Loctite was used. Using 22 caliber bore mop and lighter fluid, then bore brush, hit with compressed air (covering with rag)

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for posting your tech tip…Doc

[@randybard224]

Don’t forget to chase the bolt holes Also make sure to check the wheel bearings also

[@jrhandford8356]

Thanks Doc. Just did this on my 2015 Road King and got rid of a clunking noise from front brakes. Now if you could do a video on the noisy front disk on my 2012 Dyna....lol

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Lol….Doc

[@normswaebe6003]

At 5:55 you say "16-24 inch foot pounds" the service manual for my 22sg states "16-24 foot pounds" which is right?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I am human. Use the official Harley-Davidson Service Manual always….Doc

[@normswaebe6003]

I figured it was a slip of the tongue but just wanted to clarify, thanks for all you do!

[@freddetro7020]

Happy Thanksgiving, Doc.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Same to you!….Doc

[@kzscorner5813]

My new to me 08 Road King classic (less than 400 mi on her this season) pulses while braking. Going to do brake fluid and pad inspection and now while at it, will be replacing the rotors hardware and probably check run out too. Subscribed to your channel before owning my first Harley. Thanks Doc.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Wow! Thank you….Doc

[@ihateemael]

sometimes that's caused by real hard braking to a dead stop. The real hot pad material micro-welds to the disc at the point where the disc stops . . You could try new-pad-breakin again. It can't hurt.

[@kzscorner5813]

@@ihateemael Not totally understanding the concept of floating disc just yet. Are you talking about when the disc becomes glazed? As a preventative, I honed the rotors on my Goldwing when I did the front brakes. The rotors on the Road King are effective as is, but annoying. Would like them to feel as smooth as the Wing. Neither bike has ABS, wish they did though. I think a dial indicator is going to tell me some history of the King.

[@ihateemael]

@@kzscorner5813 I don't wish to talk over Doc here . . During pad bed in brake pad material actually coats the surface of the rotor and bonds to it. Rotors will look a little dull in appearance. The process requires warming up your brakes, then 5 or 6 progressively harder stops . . down to a slow speed, without coming to a full stop. Then not braking again till the rotor cools down. I went for a ride up the local mountain and did front brakes first then the rear another day. . each time using the cold disc when I needed to come to a stop. If you get my meaning. Doing this actually gave my m8 Fatboy brakes with at least a little bite.

[@kzscorner5813]

@@ihateemael Appreciate your input, certainly won’t hurt resettling the pads vs buying new rotors. Haven’t mic them, but they don’t look bad.

[@TheRoadGlideRider]

Really enjoy your videos 👍🏽💯🏍💨🏍💨

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks 👍….Doc

[@billcorbin6174]

Thanks Doc!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for tuning in on your day off….Doc

[@MichaelDrentlaw]

Answer to a few questions, yes 115K, yes original discs, not the original wheel-was replaced at approx 75K due to pot hole bending rim and all other components checked at that time. Hope she make it over 250K. Currently no engine issues,only regular maintenance performed by both LCHD and Summerville HD. Thanks guys and thanks DOC.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you for sharing and shout out👍….Doc

[@DIYmotorcycle]

One thing that's important you always want to use Loctite on these bolts I use red myself because they're going to be on there for a long time anyways. If you noticed the factory Bolts from Harley already came coated with a Loctite compound.

[@darrell3368]

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and Hods blessings for you and all your family

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Blessings to you….Doc

[@foreigncorrespondent5140]

Good point Doc. Spacers and all screws, should go back into the same places on the whole bike.

[@chuckchapiewsky7535]

Put the spring on the spacer,then put spacer and spring into rotor followed by bolt.

[@ryanholmes2248]

I picked up a used 2020 FLTRK and have a question on these floating disc brakes-do they/are they supposed to make a clunk noise when you change rotational force of braking? Example, rolling backwards into slight sloped garage and stop with front wheel. Then when I pull out of garage and stop at driveway I hear and feel a clunk. I verified this by pulling back and braking and pushing forward and braking stationary and feel it clunk again.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

In my opinion without measuring, sounds like the isolator buttons are too worn…..Doc

[@KyWindage]

Good to know to change hardware.

[@robertturriff9836]

Just a quick question about the sevice manual, do I need to get one from the harley davidson shop or will one like Clymer manual work?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

The Harley-Davidson Factory Service, Parts and Electrical Diagnostic Manuals are the best…..Doc

[@Hoglife]

Hey Doc,this question I’m about to ask you is 11 months after this video was put out and I’ve been meaning to ask you about my 2009 Street Glide FLHX,I had an issue with the air shocks not holding air,so another pair of regular shocks were put on,the shocks work well but EVERY bump I hit or ripple on the highway small bumps through town the bike sounds like it’s gonna fall apart,almost like it’s bottoming out but there’s no chance it is,any insight?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

If the noise was not there with the air shocks then I would examine the new shock mounting hardware and the clearance between the shock and everything around it…..Doc

[@Hoglife]

@ hey Doc,it was like that when I was riding it home from purchasing it,the guy I bought it from said it was the air shocks,I had my local Harley dealer look at it and they put a pair of shocks on it,it helped a little but not fixed,dips in the road are ok,it’s just potholes or manhole covers,I feel like my lower spine is taking the brunt of the hits,everything looks good,it can’t be bottoming out,everything is tight,I’m gonna go over it again with a fine tooth comb and maybe I’ll find something,I haven’t a clue,Thank you for your input

[@aw738]

It looks like the spacers are making a two piece shoulder bolt. One that allows the rotor to have some movement. Do the spacers fit the holes in the rotor? If so why can't you put the spacer and spring in the rotor hole first and then start all the bolts. Putting the bolts in far enough so the spacers don't come out of the holes. Then tighten them.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

That could work I guess…..Doc

[@Tryke_Ryder]

No lock tire used? (On standard non-floating rotors, would lock title be used?)

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Bolts come with Factory Loctite….Doc

[@bigj200016]

Doc, I hear the terms floating and fixed. What exactly does that mean and what’s the difference between the two?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Well as you watched the video you saw the three pieces. Bolt, spacer and Spring. The disc is not bolted directly to the hub solidly. It floats just a small amount on the spring. There are many advantages to floating disc.

[@shannonmoore1990]

Does this apply to the back rotor as well?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Yes but torque on rear disc hardware is greater….Doc

[@stanjohnson8040]

I like your torque wrench.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Me Too……Doc

[@stanjohnson8040]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson I have a Snap-On that beeps and vibrates but it doesn’t have the indicator lights like yours. Those lights are a nice touch.

[@deanbalouris330]

Good time to replace the wheel bearings, too.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Only if needed. You do know there is an interference fitment. Only so many times you can take a bearing in and out….Doc

[@exupakias]

Thank you Doc(tor)

[@michaelsnyder2218]

2019 road glide standard coming on 50,000 miles. What’s your recommendation for checking these at this point?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

That is a major milestone. It is always good to check. Those 50K could have all been in the mountains with a lot of braking😆…..Doc

[@michaelsnyder2218]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson no mountains but still Lots of use. ThankYou Doc & have a great Thanksgiving 🙏🙏🙏😎🏍️🇺🇸

[@rebel_ltz]

No thread chasing or using loctite?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

The thread chasing would have been a great addition. Bolts come with Factory loctite…..Doc

[@Bass.Player]

The springs keep the rotor from rattling...

[@roncoburn7771]

All Brembo parts Happy turkey day Doc

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you. Same to you….Doc

[@leea.6101]

Doc, no blue Loctite?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Locktite already on the bolts from the company….Doc

[@richardhartley7094]

👍👍

[@ardyrides834]

Why are you working on the floor?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Because I still can…..Doc

[@johnmitchell9705]

Not blue Loctite?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

New bolts come with factory loctite….Doc

[@michaelblandina7405]

Why no anti-seize Doc??

[@DNiddy]

Good tip on those washers. However, as Dad always said, sometime OEM is not the best. The owner of that bike should have gone with Galfer rotors.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Those are a choice if with in the budget along with Pads that match these special disc…..Doc

[@P46345]

If you stand the wheel up gravity won't work against you with the hardware.

[@mikehammer2408]

Hopefully those bearings should have been changed for good measure

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

They were checked👍….Doc

[@greenmarine5]

This actually is still a solid rotor not a floating rotor, Harley changed the design, and since the bolts don't actually bolt directly to the rotor, but to the spacers, Harley calls them a floating rotor, This will protect your rotor from transferring braking heat to the wheel hub or rim but does nothing to protect the Rotor from warping and is also the reason why true floating rotors are a two piece design. A true floating rotor consists of two parts, the part that bolts to the wheel hub, then the rotor bolts to that. Track or MotoGP Bikes use the true floating rotor, because they do not warp under extreme heat. Harley's rendition of a floating rotor doesn't really work,.. it does but it doesn't. If you had a seized caliper on Harley's floating rotor the rotor would still warp but all the heat would not transfer to the wheel destroying your barring's On a true floating rotor it would not warp and not transfer the heat to the wheel, hub or Rim what ever you prefer it's called.. This is why MotoGP switched to two piece floating rotors in 1992.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you for the tutorial….Doc

[@sgtwrench69]

115,000 miles🤔🤔🤔

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

What’s to think about?…..Doc

[@thomaskavney4656]

I don't like the floating brake rotors they clunk when you brake and i brought it to the dealer and was told that its normal

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

That would be a great Question for Harley-Davidson Customer Service. Be sure to mention the dealer name and location…..Doc

[@waterkoppie]

Maybe do not use power tools ? For a better feel. Or maybe this was just for a quick video.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

A tech must know the power tool. This was a 1/4 drive with adjustable power settings….Doc

[@mikefisher4557]

Taught not to use air or power tools to assemble parts that have tight tolerances. Work on a bench. .... will save your back.

[@edharbas4828]

You guys are great, looking after one another like that, the idea of a bench to save one's back, banter on the benefits of manual tools almost like a buddhist master testing a novitiate with a koan. 'What is a torque wrench?' To which the novice could reply, '3lbs of steel'. This abstract 'zen' reply would save the novice the master's wrath and 30 blows from his whisk. Anyway had a 91 Dyna with a 2 point rubber system. Would vibration at lower rev-range mean either rubber mount problems? The bike had about 68000 miles without a change of rubbers. The vibration seemed there always, the bike was in an accident before I bought it with 6000miles. Enjoying the learning, thanks for the answers.

[@huibertdegraaf9622]

Harley brake rotors are absolute junk unless you ride your bike like your 80 years old. Any spirited riding and you won't get 10.000 miles out of them

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for the opinion.….Doc

[@supakamario]

harley know they will reinvent a properly working wheel just to be proprietary. that's why ibdont own 1

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Well thanks for visiting……Doc

[@supakamario]

@LowCountryHarleyDavidson I don't visit, I live here just cause harley makes me sick doesn't mean u do..... I watch all ur stuff. I actually like harley just love victory

[@brian833]

This should really not be classified as a floating disc. IMO

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Your definition of floating disc?…..Doc

[@brian833]

Hi Doc I have a 2019 Sport Glide and really love her! I saw a well respected Vid on cleaning a floating disc due to brake dust and grime. When I tried to get the rings of my disc to turn they would not! So to answer- A disc with some freewheeling. Hope you had a great Holiday!@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson

[@whocares0692]

Another great video Doc. But may I make a suggestion on the spacer ? Instead of using your fingers, because some of us has "sausage fingers", how about using an auto door panel remover or trim puller instead? If the slot isn't wide enough foe the bolt, int can be drilled to a larger size. Just my opinion after watching your video because I'll probably be changing mine nets spring / summer.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Being sarcastic, haven’t needed a door panel or trim tool for a Harley-Davidson but I will keep this in mind👍…..Doc

[@whocares0692]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson, DOH .... I stand corrected ..... for a car. LOL

[@shameless6963]

Happy Thanksgiving, Doc

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Same to you…..Doc