going to dual piston caliper
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 250
Likes: 89
From: SWFL
Little follow up. I ordered the Wilwood caliper. While waiting I pulled out the original in there now and cleaned and lubed it Didn't pull the piston, but I could move it without much trouble, so I don't think it's hanging. Pads look fat enough. Bled a little fluid thru and it looked practically new. Lashed the brake lever closed overnight to chase out little bubbles. Measured the rotor as within spec.
And it didn't make a like of difference. Not one. I did this primarily for my own experience and for comparison purposes, but I must say I was surprised. Working clean caliper, new stainless brake line, newish fat pads, clean fluid, firm lever, and healthy looking rotor, and it just does almost nothing past parking lot speeds. How about that.
Just thought someone might be interested in that.
And it didn't make a like of difference. Not one. I did this primarily for my own experience and for comparison purposes, but I must say I was surprised. Working clean caliper, new stainless brake line, newish fat pads, clean fluid, firm lever, and healthy looking rotor, and it just does almost nothing past parking lot speeds. How about that.
Just thought someone might be interested in that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 7,413
From: OH
Perhaps something has been overlooked?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 909
Likes: 646
From: west coast
FWIW I also went to adjustable levers after the caliper upgrade, the reach was increased with the new caliper to the point that my control of the front brake wasn't great (and my hands aren't small), the new levers fixed that.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...l#post21915271
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 383
Likes: 253
From: Florida
Throw the paperweight Harley caliper
in the garbage. By the wilwood. You say you already have brake lines you will love it. I also got mine at summit racing for a little over 200 dollars. I tried everything with the stock caliper, new fluid, new lines, bled the whole system. Nothing worked until I put the wilwood on. Excellent upgrade.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 452
Likes: 228
From: Northford, CT
Glad I stumbled upon this thread. The front brakes on my 1999 FXDX suck. I considered trying braided lines and Lyndall or EBC pads with the stock calipers but Im not even going to waste my time. Wilwood GP310s and new braided lines are what I am going with!
Last edited by garystaven88; Mar 26, 2025 at 09:07 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Gary -
I've got a '99 FXDX and I'm considering an upgrade as well.
Did you do it?
If so did you keep your stock master cylinder?
Did you do any before/after tests?
Impressions?
(It looks like Randall's results were less than expected)
I've got a '99 FXDX and I'm considering an upgrade as well.
Did you do it?
If so did you keep your stock master cylinder?
Did you do any before/after tests?
Impressions?
(It looks like Randall's results were less than expected)
Last edited by MoreCowbell; Oct 16, 2025 at 03:02 PM. Reason: context
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 250
Likes: 89
From: SWFL
I am sorry that I did not follow up on this. I ended up putting in a Wilwood 4 piston caliper on the original fork lowers. It took longer to break in and everybody play nice than I thought it might, but once it did it was a very nice improvement. They are better than my rear brakes now. They may have saved me within inches of rear ending a car going through the Charlotte, NC expressway on a road trip this summer. Well worth doing.
