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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Monza-jockey on August 03, 2024, 12:31:11 PM

Title: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: Monza-jockey on August 03, 2024, 12:31:11 PM
I thought I'd ask for help on this topic. The bike has been sitting under a cover in a carport. Due to a period of inactivity, the brake disks got rusty. what is a good safe method to clean them? The front disks have good access, but the back disk is covered by the drive shroud.

advice appreciated  :bow:
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: Mike Tashjian on August 03, 2024, 12:51:37 PM
Scotchbrite pads would be my first go to with water.  There are more aggressive ways if the wheels won't turn.  How bad is the rust?
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: Perazzimx14 on August 03, 2024, 12:57:03 PM
Pull them and get them media blasted.
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: chuck peterson on August 03, 2024, 01:45:07 PM
Use..

They’ll rust again because they’re iron, overnight if left in the rain if you’re talking 70-80’s bike and rotor

Stainless came in w the EV?
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: Vagrant on August 03, 2024, 02:52:39 PM
Go drive it.
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: Dr. Enzo Toma on August 03, 2024, 03:49:45 PM
I'd clean them with brake cleaner and scotch-brite. If they're a little more rough than just cosmetic corrosion there are kits to resurface them, search "brake rotor resurfacing set". I've seen people use the Powerbuilt kits on track bikes to recover glazed rotors, but then the pads need to be bedded into them again.
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: FarmallA on August 03, 2024, 03:58:39 PM
Unless it's deep flaking scale, just ride it.  The Monza disks and the Miata disks rust up under the right conditions in my garage.
(opening the garage door after a cold night to a warm muggy morning soaks everything down.) 

After just a few brake applications (makes a little noise), it's gone.

FarmallA
Steve
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: Monza-jockey on August 03, 2024, 05:06:56 PM
Thanks! Forgot about Scotch brite and water.
The rust isn't to bad; riding the bike would the best prevention.
 Work/life/health issues/ blah blah blah were working against me.
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: Turin on August 03, 2024, 05:29:05 PM
a quick spin around the block will be cheaper and faster than running to the store to get cleaning supplies, and scrubbing the discs. keeps the carbs from getting gummed up too.
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: twowings on August 04, 2024, 08:36:21 PM
Use them.
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: John A on August 05, 2024, 08:29:24 AM
Cast iron discs, they form a rust covering but work in the rain as well. It’s a ‘ feature’, not a defect. It doesn’t hurt a thing but looks bad. Just use them and it disappears until they get wet again
Title: Re: Rusty brake disks, how to clean them?
Post by: guzziart on August 06, 2024, 03:02:40 PM
Yeah, I'll wash my '87 LMIV  the rotors rust almost immediately.  I'll then ride around the block to get the rust off the rotors and then I'll rinse the rust dust off of the wheels. Whatta pita :laugh: