PFM Front Discs for the RC45

[Pask]

From the first day I bought my RC45 I’ve experienced terrible front brake judder to the point it shook the fillings from my teeth. I initially thought that the original front discs were warped and I managed to buy a very low mileage second hand set from a guy that kitted his ’45 for the track with Brembos. Even this second pair of OEM discs, although a lot better had brake judder and I couldn’t believe that I’d purchased a second set of warped discs. I checked out the wheel, calipers, pads and all seemed ok. The issue was eventually tacked down to the disc run-out, the originals turned out to have a run-out of 0.6mm on both discs and the second set had one disc with a run-out of 0.1mm, and although better I could still feel this on the leaver!

I talked to Bob Solloway at Bikers World (Daventry) were I get my ’45 serviced and he believes the OEM discs can trap dirt and grime between the buttons and the disc, due to heat expansion and it’s difficult to remove. So, I decided to get a set of fully floating discs, and I opted for a set of PFM 310mm Ductile Iron discs and hey presto, no more judder :-

<a href="http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/pmvis ... 8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r65 ... b4cb28.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo PFMleft2_zps32b4cb28.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/pmvis ... 9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r65 ... c551c9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo PFMright1_zps71c551c9.jpg"></a>

The above photos were taken just after my 2,000 mile road trip to the Ducati factory and back in July (before I cleaned the bike) and all I can say is that it transformed my ride. Apart from the absence of judder the progressive feel of the brakes are so much better than pretty much anything I’ve ridden to date. We had a short down pore in Northern Italy and you can see that the spigots have a light covering of rust, which is normal for Ductile Iron. I had to wait quite a bit of time for these discs and passed up the opportunity (twice) to buy a set of 320mm Brembo stainless steel discs, but I really can’t imagine them being any better. In addition, the PFM discs can be removed and exchanged for a new set, or a stainless steel set, the carrier remains in place, which Brembo don’t do, if you warp them or wear them out a new set of complete discs need to be found – not easy!

So I just thought I place this posting in case anyone has had similar problems with their OEM discs and are finding it hard to get a hold of Brembos. You also get a very personal service and plenty of advice from Wal at PFM.

Regards,

Pask.

PS I like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to Mark (markrc45) for offering to use his 320mm Brembo discs for my road trip, it was touch and go to get the PFMs in time, they arrived with one day to spare!

[roger]

Hello Pask.

The ex-Castrol Honda (Honda Britain) bike, listed on micapeak, remains in one piece.

My road bike has PFM superbike discs & callipers, etc; I agree, they do work very well.

Regards,

Roger.