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[Break shot]

Can that big disk be replaced with a smaller one to see more of the rim



Break shot

[Dan_Lockwood]

I'm sure smaller diameter rotors are able to be bolted in, but the calipers will be in the wrong place to contact rotors properly. 

The fronts are bolted to the lowers and cannot be repositioned unless you go to lots of work.  Also larger diameter rotors tend to be a bit better in stopping the bikes. 

The rear caliper is on a bracket with a fixed center radius from the axle and it's nonadjustable.

Just polish up the rotors so they look as good as the wheels...

[deldago]

NEVER compromise safety for looks!

[grc]

NEVER compromise safety for looks!

 

#1, smaller rotors would result in less braking power, and a heavy touring model doesn't have an overly powerful braking system in the first place.

#2, it would take a lot of work and money to adapt the front end to use a smaller rotor and relocated calipers.

#3, it would throw off the ABS system, possibly making it less effective.

If you plan to just trailer the bike around for shows, then do what you want or even eliminate the rotors all together.  If you plan to actually ride the bike, be smart and leave the front brakes alone.

Jerry

[AirCav101]

Make the disk appear smaller... buy a bigger wheel?

[Twolanerider]

There are two sides to your question.  Those being "can you" and "should you."

Can you?  Yes.  Even with relative ease.  The 2007 and earlier bikes came with brakes that used an 11.5" caliper versus your 11.8"  Assuming your bike doesn't have ABS it's a direct swap of parts from one to the other (calipers and rotors) for most wheel/rotor combinations.  One would think the ABS bikes would present greater complications just in the pressure values supplied by the ABS system and the different volumes of fluid in the calipers.  Have ridden an ABS bike this was done to, however, and the ABS system still seemed to work as expected with no complications felt from the saddle.  I was greatly surprised.

That .3" of an inch is minimal.  Have changed several bikes from the 11.5" pre-Brembo up to the 11.8" Brembo to improve braking. The before and after difference visually because of the rotors is minimal.

So, can you; to gain even a little difference in the visual appearance?  Yes.  It's almost a distinction without a difference though.  And I'll bet you that if the guy I know who altered the ABS system ever was in an accident and his insurer had even a sniff of what he'd done they'd tell him to pound salt (and rightly so).  In fact he latter would likely apply to any purposeful degradation in braking capability.

That latter brings up the "should you" question.  Obviously not.  At least not if it's a bike that's ridden.  Yours and your passenger's safety and the safety of the civilians you might run in to are more important that any minor cosmetic improvement.  Build a cool trailer queen if looks are what's important.  But if it's a rider make it cool and safe.  The work and effort to combine the two show more skill anyway.