chickenStripCharlie
Coast to Coast
I have shaved calipers for fit on several occasions, and one thing I am watching for is heat transfer. In my case, i currently have an AWD Chevy Astro van which has a 1/2 ton rear end and brakes made for 16" rims. I wanted 15" rims for better offroad tire options, so I shaved a mm or two off the top. So far so good, but something to watch. I imagine boiling brake fluid is going to make your brake really, really soft or non-existent.
But think of the savings on unsprung weight
Considering that mass is the #1 factor for absorbing heat why do bike rotors continue to be drilled out so much?
In today's post asbestos world, brake pads arent really prone to gas buildup like before. If you look at performance cars, the holes are tiny, and in the really high end cars, the holes are cast into the rotor, not drilled into them to reduce cracking.
So why are the bike rotors still being drilled and drilled so much! Most rotors are all holes. Even my ATV where the rotors arent even visible! Is it for looks?
Sure, the holes increase surface area, but I doubt that the increase in surface area provide a cooling effect that offsets the heat absorption loss from the lower mass after it's been drilled out
Am I out to lunch or is it all looks?