The CB1100 Community Forum

There was a point where brake drag on the front rotors of my 2017EX had me thinking I might have warped rotors. Thankfully the drag was found to be caused by a partially clogged tiny hole in the bottom of my master cylinder: http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=15316 . Before the actual cause was found I did do some research on rotors. The OEM Honda rotors are what I would consider prohibitively expensive for what they are, ranging from $305 to $460 U.S. each, depending on the year and model CB1100. During the search for aftermarket rotors, I was surprised to find that there are not a lot of options out there for our machines.

Rotors from China are available on eBay for $142 per pair plus shipping: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Brake-Rot...4425541834 . On the one hand, the ad pictures just a pair of the outer steel rotor rings, but the description lists inner ring material as anodized aluminum. I doubt the inner aluminum ring is included. There are occasionally some good products coming out of China, but I am generally skeptical about quality. In this case I would wonder about metallurgy and tolerances. The discs are 5 bobbin, so although the ad says 2013 - 2018, they are not configured for 2017 up.

I ran across some threads here on the Forum about TRW MST 278 being a direct replacement for OEM rotors. I found a listing on Ebay with a best price of $110 U.S. each with free shipping from France. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Disque-de-frein...SwYKNax6p1 Otherwise, price each was typically 120 Euros which is $134 U.S. Again we are talking about a five bobbin pattern, not applicable to 2017 up. https://www.louis.eu/artikel/variante/tr...d/10043493

Lastly, I found what I would probably go with if I needed rotors, in Cormanus neck of the woods, Brendale Australia. Perhaps if it is not too far from him, Cormanus might scout it out on a road trip? Anyway, the company is MetalGear, https://www.metalgear.com.au/ .
Here we are talking about the complete disc, inner aluminum mount and outer steel ring. A complete disc ready to bolt onto the wheel hub will be about $150 each U.S. plus shipping. I corresponded with a nice lady at MetalGear via email, Janina Dumke. Although using a product search on the web site does not show it, apparently MetalGear does have complete discs available for CB1100 2013 through 2017, including DLX and EX models. They also have the rear disc as well. Any member considering new discs through MetalGear, just send an email to ask about availability for the particular year and model.

I hope this info will give everyone some options to consider, other than the very expensive OEM rotors.

Before replacing a suspect rotor, you should check run-out with a dial gauge if possible. But usually, if it's bad enough to replace, it's visible just by spinning. I have had many sets of disc rotors ground true by taking it to a commercial grinding service. The 2013-2014 single piece are a breeze, the 2017 with bobbins will take a little bit of setup.

How about that? Brendale is half an hour or so north of me. I’ve been to the MetalGear warehouse to pick up a set of their disk pads for the CB. I’ve been happy with their product.

Pads are easy to make and are very durable, may squeak, be hard on rotors or fast wearing, easy/inexpensive to replace.
Bike's front discs, different story, if cheap, will cause run out , leading to vibration/pulsation and poor stopping power.
If budgeting, I would go for good disc quality, cheaper pads. IMHO
OEM discs are expen$ive!!