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Old Oct 9, 2016 | 06:52 AM
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Default Front Brake Uograde

I'm new to bikes, mine is a 2003 low rider. Buddy that sold it to me replaced it with 1998 ninja. Not my style of bike but damn the brakes are awesome. I assume it's the dual rotors on the front? What good options are out there for mine- what's the best and what's the best value? All stock front end and cast wheels.
 
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Old Oct 9, 2016 | 08:42 PM
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Bump

: Mike
 
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Old Oct 9, 2016 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by BobbyH83
I'm new to bikes, mine is a 2003 low rider. Buddy that sold it to me replaced it with 1998 ninja. Not my style of bike but damn the brakes are awesome. I assume it's the dual rotors on the front? What good options are out there for mine- what's the best and what's the best value? All stock front end and cast wheels.

First - accept a dyna is not a sport bike (metric)..., doesn't (and will never) perform like one


Brake options - no certain order / more involved upgrade - more associated cost


1.) Upgrade pads / bleed system / ensure all components are performing optimally.., "may" need new brake lines

2.) Upgrade front to big brake rotor

3.) Add a second rotor / caliper..., requires new sliders / additional rotor & caliper / wheel drilled for second rotor / plumbing..., and a bigger MC

Pick your poison - all are better than stock

Some have done 1..., some 2.., some 3 - all seem happy with respective results

Ghost
 

Last edited by Ghost_13; Oct 9, 2016 at 09:23 PM.
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Old Oct 9, 2016 | 09:54 PM
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No doubt that if you have dual disc set up you will be getting better performance then a single disc set up. I will restate that it will never brake like a sport bike. Different components different weight, different rake. Anyways I did not want to spend the money on a dual disc set up so I decided to get new rotors for the front and rear along with brake pads. Mine are polished mesh performance rotors and then Hawk Performance brake pads and then all new brake fluids. I am very happy with the results and am very confident in my brakes now. I spent about $350-400 for the whole thing.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 12:03 AM
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You don't need a second rotor, you need a better caliper. The second rotor is for heat dissipation. When was the last time you had brake fade due to heat?
 
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 03:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Ghost_13
First - accept a dyna is not a sport bike (metric)..., doesn't (and will never) perform like one


Brake options - no certain order / more involved upgrade - more associated cost


1.) Upgrade pads / bleed system / ensure all components are performing optimally.., "may" need new brake lines

2.) Upgrade front to big brake rotor

3.) Add a second rotor / caliper..., requires new sliders / additional rotor & caliper / wheel drilled for second rotor / plumbing..., and a bigger MC

Pick your poison - all are better than stock

Some have done 1..., some 2.., some 3 - all seem happy with respective results

Ghost

I have 1 & 2 (Arlen Ness Big Rotor Kit + CL Brakes Sintered Pads), the stopping power is more than enought, a second caliper is not on my "to do" list anymore
 
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 07:55 AM
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Thanks everyone. I'll definitely try new pads since they need to be changed fairly soon anyway. Might go with a new rotor or just save up for a big rotor. One pad suggestion above, any others? I know Wilwood is good stuff for 4 wheels but still learning about 2.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 11:35 AM
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Here's what I did:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...swap-done.html

Overall I'm very happy with it, although I'm still toying with larger diameter rotors as well.

However, as others have said, You will most likely find a NOTICEABLE difference by switching to a more aggressive pad compound (shorter stopping distance) and braided lines (better lever feel), followed by a thorough bleeding.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 11:52 AM
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Most cost effective way is to get the Ness Big rotor (mine was $260) and upgrade the pads. I went with the EBC and my braking has improved significantly. Plus there's not the extra unsprung weight that happens when you add another rotor and caliper.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by BobbyH83
Thanks everyone. I'll definitely try new pads since they need to be changed fairly soon anyway. Might go with a new rotor or just save up for a big rotor. One pad suggestion above, any others? I know Wilwood is good stuff for 4 wheels but still learning about 2.
A lot of people seem to have very good results with the EBC Semi-Sintered pad:

http://ebcbrakes.com/product/sintered-brake-pads/

I currently use the EBC HH fully sintered (because I've liked them on sport bikes in the past), but will probably try the semi-sintered next time for it's supposed advantages in modulation and feel. I'm not unhappy with the fully -sintered at all, but who knows... Maybe I'll like the other ones better!
 
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