mikeyb Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Hello folks, visited the Restoration Show at Shepton Mallet last weekend, and saw a special (probably an Arrow) with Herald front suspension. The brake disc shields were not fitted which got me thinking........how necessary are they? I really can't see a valid reason to keep them, they get bent, rust, get in the way when working on the brakes etc etc. Can't see that they improve brake cooling, surely the contrary? Can anyone enlighten me, or has anyone taken them off and noticed any difference? Cheers all, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 They are to protect the disc from water and road dirt, the outer has the wheel nave pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyb Posted November 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Well, that was the only reason that I could come up with as well Pete, but as pads run so close to the discs, which helps to keep them clean ,coupled with the fact that no motorcycle I have ever owned has had them, I reckon their worth is debatable. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 They have been fitted by car and truck manufacturers since discs were introduced right through to the present day they feel its needed , and on a bike you dont get the wash spray from the other wheels tyre pumping water across the track of the vehicle pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Most of them are now available in stainless and add a nice bit of bling to the front brake area… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1071 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 The other (and more important) reason for the shield is to protect the ball joints (particularly the lower) from brake heat. There is a risk that radiation from a hot disc will damage the ball joint boot, and affect the grease in the joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 I love the idea that the brake discs need to be protected, "from water and road dirt" Bless 'em! Ickle woollen bootikins next? And a so'wester? Especially when they are otherwise faced by the most abrasive substance known to Man - Brake pads! John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 How about a high projectile wheel nut thrown off a lorry wheel traveling at 60mph in the opposite direction? I thought you'd jump on the heat issue John! Is it radiation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 I would hazard that water and mud make a good lubricant, Like the sign after a ford , try your brakes, or was that or horses pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Just had lunch at the Land's End Pub, it's not strictly land's end but right next to a river ford. There's a pole thoughtfully marked in height levels, unfortunately, not clearly marked as to feet or metres! The foolhardy frequently mistake 1.5 for feet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomL Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 My own experience is that I have run my Vitesse without brake shields (they are incompatible with the vented-discs) for over 20-years with no issues. Let us know how you get on. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Pete, How would disc shields keep the water in a ford off them? Perhaps wellies instead of bootees? Doug, No, a fast wheel nut would have kinetic energy, that would be partly converted to heat if it struck something. But partly conserved as it bounced off. If all that energy were absorbed in a glass of water (300mls?) it would heat the water 7C. But if it struck something soft, all the energy would be converted to OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 I have not run shields since I had my first spitfire, 26 years ago. Generally chopped them off (they can be removed more carefully, but then require washers as distance pieces to keep everything in line) like Tom, I now run vested discs. I must say after the (short) track laps at spa the brakes on the spitfire were getting rather hot, but it was being thrashed with no mercy at all (only got overtaken once, by a newish 400bhp corvette....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Its simple ,water in a brake reduces braking efficiency , dont care how it gets there , and its soon shifted , but its undesirable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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