Handling Improving front brake on 2007 1200c

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by fliesinteeth

thanks tony any more details on your jap set up ?

yeah, i wanted to change my fxr to a wide front end, i got some cheap yokes of ebay and went for 41mm forks from a yam Diversion again cheap from ebay, the std caliper that fits the forks also fits nicely on the std Harley disc to, i had a slight accident with my master cylinder ( snaped the bkt off ) so was no good, i had an old jap one lying around so made it fit the bars, fitted a new goodridge hose and it has made a big diference, with the old set up it was 4 fingers to brake with a lot of effort !!!! but now i only need 2 and when i get another caliper + disc it will only get better, all done on a very tight budget !!!!!!!!!!!!

[the_monster]

How about a set from a 1970 's honda 500-4 ?

[Alan B]

I fitted a braided hose and Harrison Billt 6 pot with Harrison disc. A considerable improvement.

[fliesinteeth]

Originally Posted by banquo

There's no doubt that Harley brakes require a lot more effort than modern bikes, but if that effort is input, they are more than capable of locking either or both wheels in the dry (a fact to which I can testify, after a deer ran out on me, two-up, last week). The emergency stop was as rapid as it could be, and FWIW, I think 'better' brakes would have made the lock-up quicker, and harder to control.

I subscribe to the old-fashioned view that I'd rather stop in control, than have terrifically powerful brakes that require a lot more on-off involvement to avoid a dangerous skid. I've practiced cadence braking till the cows come home, and it's easy when you know what's coming, but I still find it's near impossible to avoid grabbing a fistful of front, and a bootful of rear when the moment comes...

No doubt there are plenty out there who are much more skilled, and who can easily handle the additional deceleration without problems, but I find the stock (4-pot) brakes more than adequate for a bike with the geometry of a Harley.

Good advice -Thanks very much. I think you may be onto something on the effort side. Yesterdayas an experiment I was heaving on the lever pretty hard and felt fairly decent stopping albeit from a low speed. Don't plan to ride much in the wet but they are not really confidence inspiring. Maybe it's the 2 pot. I don't want to be wishing I'd changed them at some future date with destiny !

[fliesinteeth]

Originally Posted by Tony G

yeah, i wanted to change my fxr to a wide front end, i got some cheap yokes of ebay and went for 41mm forks from a yam Diversion again cheap from ebay, the std caliper that fits the forks also fits nicely on the std Harley disc to, i had a slight accident with my master cylinder ( snaped the bkt off ) so was no good, i had an old jap one lying around so made it fit the bars, fitted a new goodridge hose and it has made a big diference, with the old set up it was 4 fingers to brake with a lot of effort !!!! but now i only need 2 and when i get another caliper + disc it will only get better, all done on a very tight budget !!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Tony. Sounds like a good job and a good price.

[fliesinteeth]

Originally Posted by the_monster

How about a set from a 1970 's honda 500-4 ?

Good idea - Have you thought about joining the national sarcasm society,
motto

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