Had our '95 GL1500SE with 2001 CSC Friendship III on for 12 1/2 years...run sidecar 24/7. Do
all my own maintenance, except tire changes [ USAF jet aircraft mechanic in Cold War era ].
Have used only EBC type HH brake pads all around, since 2002 incident, where OEM pads could
not stop our heavy rig on time @ downhill intersection.....VERY SCARY!
Has 74,500 miles on it @ present. Still have OEM rotors. Did replace rear rotor in 2012 with
another good used OEM unit, as dirt had scored rotor badly [ we seem to ride in rain a LOT! ].
Front rotors wearing unevenly. Understand that left is linked to rear brake foot pedal and
right just to handlebar lever [ is this correct? ].
Am in market to locate good used OEM right front rotor. I noticed, when doing bearing change
on front wheel some years ago, one rotor stamped R, other, L, yet can see NO DIFFERENCE
between the two; they APPEAR IDENTICAL. The reason I bring this up, is that, on E-Bay, there
seems to be many more good used OEM LEFT front rotors available, than right ones, due to
obvious uneven wear on each. So, can I run a left rotor on right side of front wheel and if no:
WHY NOT? TTFN.....Old Tom aka papasmurf in New Hampshire.....GL1500s FOREVER!
I don't know the answer to that Tom, but you could ask on www.goldwingfacts.com. Lot of knowledgeable people there.
Internal fins for cooling are more the likely the only difference which is what makes the rotors directional.
Usually when CSC where attached to the GL1500 the brake was hooked up to the brake on the handle bar which works one from brake on the bike. When this is done they use to over bore the master from 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch using a rebuild kit from a pre linked brake GL1100. We use to also do this. Now we either hook it up to the rear brake caliper or have you switch the master over to one from a GL1800 as it is already 5/8 inch. How your brake is hooked up could also have an effect on your front brake wear as if it is tied to the front you are using it more in order to keep the rig braking straight, if it is hooked to the rear then you would be using the rear more which of course works one of the fronts.
BTW, if any one is interested I just got back the 1988 GL1500 CSC friendship 3 rig I ran about 15 years ago and am getting it ready to sell.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
