'78 Z1R, cannot get front brake rotors off

I've got to strip, clean and re-paint the stock wheels on my '78 Z1R, they came on the bike in a weird blue color.


Well I did manage to remove all the bolts that secure the 2 rotors to the front wheel.

But the rotors won't come off.

Here are photos. Couple things to note, yes I already removed some of the paint as a test to see if I had an effective agent to do so (Kleen-Strip's Paint Remover as it turns out) and yes I'm wearing flip flops there on my feet, it's over 70 degrees here in Silicon Valley. I guess high tech and snow don't mix


What is the trick to prying off these rotors? This is a stock Z1R set of wheels, just painted weird. Pulling hard on them didn't work. Using my long breaker bar to get some lever didn't work neither.

Maybe try soaking the joints between the rotor and wheel with Kroil for a couple days. Ed

They were probably installed when that blue paint was wet,or they just corroded together from all that fine see air out there.
Try bang on the rotors from behind with a piece of wood,you could also trying heating up rotor bolt flange area with a propane torch to get it warm then try banging on them to loosen them up.

650ed wrote: Maybe try soaking the joints between the rotor and wheel with Kroil for a couple days. Ed

Good deal 650, where locally can I buy that Kroil? I was in Harbor Freight the other day and didn't see any. I live near the 10th biggest city in this entire country, surely they sell that Kroil through outlets dont' they?

wireman wrote: They were probably installed when that blue paint was wet,or they just corroded together from all that fine see air out there.
Try bang on the rotors from behind with a piece of wood,you could also trying heating up rotor bolt flange area with a propane torch to get it warm then try banging on them to loosen them up.

wireman that is a dang fine idea, I did not think to whack them from behind. Too much sun today, my brain must be fried.


When I clean everything up real good after getting the rotors off, will I still find that I need a rubber mallet to pop them back on into place, are the stock tolerances between the rotor and hub that tight? Or if I do a good job on the clean-up, will the rotors just fall right into place with very little effort?

I don't have experience with the tolerances between a rotor and hub at all.

The problem is the state youre in ,not the city! :woohoo:
wd40 is probably the toughest stuff you can buy there without somebody calling the hazmat unit on ya

newOld_kz1000 wrote:

wireman wrote: They were probably installed when that blue paint was wet,or they just corroded together from all that fine see air out there.
Try bang on the rotors from behind with a piece of wood,you could also trying heating up rotor bolt flange area with a propane torch to get it warm then try banging on them to loosen them up.

wireman that is a dang fine idea, I did not think to whack them from behind. Too much sun today, my brain must be fried.


When I clean everything up real good after getting the rotors off, will I still find that I need a rubber mallet to pop them back on into place, are the stock tolerances between the rotor and hub that tight? Or if I do a good job on the clean-up, will the rotors just fall right into place with very little effort?

I don't have experience with the tolerances between a rotor and hub at all.

No once you get the corrosion cleaned out of there they will go on and off much easier

While the rotors are in hand, would consider having them trued by an automotive service facility that has a flywheel grinder.

Good Fortune!

newOld_kz1000 wrote:

650ed wrote: Maybe try soaking the joints between the rotor and wheel with Kroil for a couple days. Ed

Good deal 650, where locally can I buy that Kroil? I was in Harbor Freight the other day and didn't see any. I live near the 10th biggest city in this entire country, surely they sell that Kroil through outlets dont' they?

See info in link. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/573728-78...lot-air-screw#573746

a blowtorch and a prybar would be my first best guess, but upon second look is that wheel bearing got to come out?

wireman wrote: The problem is the state youre in ,not the city! :woohoo:
wd40 is probably the toughest stuff you can buy there without somebody calling the hazmat unit on ya

I'd like to know why states with the best weather always attract large numbers of rascals. California going down the tubes, sun is out, head to the beach, the beach does not care about anything but looking good and feeling great and providing sand for motorsports fun and hot young ladies.


Plus you can ride all year round here.

The rascals ruining the state won't last forever, the beach will always be a cool place to go.
AMEN.

donthaveakawman wrote: a blowtorch and a prybar would be my first best guess, but upon second look is that wheel bearing got to come out?

I'm leaning heavily in favor of new wheel bearings. As long as I'm probably going to remove them anyways for re-doing the wheels, bearings are not that much $$ and I agree, the ones in there now look their age dont they.


Patton thanks for the tip, I'll have the 3 rotors turned, I think that's what you meant, it will give a good vibration-free brake feel.


But brings up a question, I've never removed wheel bearings, do I knock them out from the opposite side, or do I need a special tool?

And I guess for installation, a rubber mallet?