Front brake rotor removal

[sgborgstrom]

Several months ago I put a fairly large dent in the front wheel of my 1991 K100RS. While it still holds air I figured better safe than sorry and got a used replacement wheel. Finally getting around to fixing things and I need/want to transfer my old rotors over to the new wheel. The allen head bolts holding them on are much tighter than I wolud have expected. I've got a nice set of craftsman allen wrenches that fit my 3/8" drive ratchet so leverage isn't the issue, I stopped when I could see the bolt was about to round out.

To top it all off, I can't find my Clymer manual for the later K bikes (the one with the updates for the post '89 bikes) so I'm stuck for immediate reference material.

Is there some "secret" to getting these bolts out? I've got them soaking in some liquid wrench but I wonder if they got put in with some locktite and will need some heat to break free.

This my friends is why I advocate having multiple bikes...I still have my F650 on the road while this one is on the lift.

Steve

[boomyr]

I've used this link to an online manual when working on my '96 K11. I can usually find whatever I need on it.

http://users.pandora.be/pirati/_private/k1100lt.pdf.

[lorazepam]

If you are trashing the wheel, then take a die grinder or whizz wheel and grind the heads off the bolts you round out. Just take your time and dont damage the rotor. You an also try making a big flat head screw out of it.

I used to service industrial equipment that had stainless button head screws that would get damaged so you couldnt get the allen wrench in at all. I have had to use that method a few times.

Run a tap down the screw holes on the replacement wheel just to make sure they are in good shape. everyone on this site should have a set of these (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39425) You dont have to spend a lot of money to get a useful set of taps and dies.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

You can also just heat the rim where the bolts go into and try the wrenches again.
Try to keep the bolts cooler than the aluminum rim and they should loosen up. There may be lock-tight involved that needs loosening up.
Just my 0.02 cts :coffee

[manicmechanic]

Since you're planning on trashing the old rim, try using a good heat gun, or maybe a torch, on the hub. I suspect there may be some high-strength thread-locker in place. Even if not, the heat will help loosen up the fittings. More than likely the stainless fasteners has galled itlelf into the aluminum hub.