Anyone using a 6 piston front caliper on their FXDC?

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Sep 22, 2010 | 05:56 AM

#11

spaceblue

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From: The Mohawk Trail

Quote:

Originally Posted by PigInaBlanket

I don't think you are getting many responses since you said you don't want to hear from anyone with a bike older than 2010 and only those who have 6 piston calipers. You are lucky grbrown answered you as his bike is way older than 2010

Thanks PIB. What I have found in my on-line research is most mfgrs show a cut off of 2007 when it comes to selling brake calipers. It looks like something may have changed in 2008. Many leave 2010 as a lone step child, and then some just say 2000 up so who knows? I was thinking somewhere in the world someone would have tried this change change on a 2010 year bike.

Sep 22, 2010 | 06:00 AM

#12

spaceblue

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From: The Mohawk Trail

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundy bruiser

Fabricator Kevin has a kit that uses Tokiko?? calipers they are only 4 piston though.
He does custom stuff too...thats what I would be asking him about
http://www.fabkevin.com/special_brakes.htm
Might be worth a try
My bike is only an 05

Thanks for that link BB. Question. I have heard of some company round your part of the world who was doing a dual disc conversion by welding additional tabs to the right side fork leg. I can't seem to follow that lead down. Ever heard of them?

Last edited by spaceblue; Sep 22, 2010 at 06:09 AM. Reason: sp

Sep 22, 2010 | 06:06 AM

#13

spaceblue

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From: The Mohawk Trail

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl IV

I'm in a similar situation, but will be going with dual disks and calipers on my Fat Boy this winter (hopefully with all HD parts)

[/derail]

Yeah, a dual disc conversion would be the ultimate but also expensive, and I'm fairly poor at the moment. I was thinking a single six piston would be a cheap alternative if it worked.

Dec 30, 2010 | 01:13 PM

#14

gdt3

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From: Langley, BC. Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceblue

Yeah, a dual disc conversion would be the ultimate but also expensive, and I'm fairly poor at the moment. I was thinking a single six piston would be a cheap alternative if it worked.

I'm in a similar situation as you. I started a thread quite a while ago, asking if anyone had a single 13" disc and a 6 piston caliper and got zero replies.
I believe that it won't matter what year bike it is, as the performance results should be able to be reasonably translated to your bike.
I believe one of the biggest problems with HD brakes is that they make the master cylinder piston diameter too big for the caliper. Most single disc master cylinders are 9/16" and if they were smaller you would get more leverage (force) on the caliper. I have done a lot of searching and can't find a stock looking master cylinder with a bore smaller than 8/16" (1/2"). That is a Drag Specialties Master Cylinder. I haven't finished my research yet to find out how much difference that 1/16" will make.
Here is a post that describes the different surface area of different 6 piston calipers. I think you will find the whole thread interesting.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...e-upgrade.html
I spoke to Paul at Jaybrake and the problem is that once you commit to a caliper and a rotor size you are locked in. You can't do it a step at a time. I wanted to go the 6 piston route and then the 13" rotor, but you have to go all in from the start or you are locked in to the 11.5" or 11.8" rotor.
Bummer.
If money was no object I would just jump in with 13", Jaybrake 6 piston caliper and the Drag Specialties master cylinder. Life is a challenge. ;-)
If you ever do go 6 piston and stock rotors, please post the results of your adventure.
Cheers,
Don

Dec 30, 2010 | 02:56 PM

#15

grbrown

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From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceblue

That would have been a VFR. 515lbs, 100 rwhp, and dual 296mm front brake rotors w/nissan calipers. This would mean I've given up one rotor/caliper and gained somewhere @160 lbs.

You have set the bar rather high! My Glide has over 100rwhp, 330mm brakes and 6-pot calipers, but weighs a little more than your VFR. Upgrading brakes comes in only two forms: simple (as I suggested before, with pads/hoses), or expensive. There is no in-between, except for degrees of expensiveness!

I quite fancy one of the latest VFR1200s as a second bike, for solo use.

Dec 30, 2010 | 06:27 PM

#16

p51bombay

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From: Blaine, WA

I think that if you are patient you can come up with the HD parts to add a second disc/rotor to you mid front end for less than the cost of one six pot caliper - in fact, at this very moment there are all the fat bob parts you need (other than lines) in the for sale section at decent prices.

Dec 30, 2010 | 09:13 PM

#17

NHGunowner

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Here is an option I have been considering. 13" front brake rotor, also comes with a caliper bracket that will allow the use of factory caliper. Then later if you feel the need you could upgrade to a 6 pot caliper sized for a 13" rotor. I haven't investigated possible conflicts but I like the idea. Not cheap but a cheaper place to start than a caliper.
http://www.cas4.com/brakes/brake-rotors-braking.html

Dec 31, 2010 | 03:26 AM

#18

spaceblue

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From: The Mohawk Trail

This thread is kind of old news that someone has rejuvenated. I've since gone the Fatbob route using Touring 11.8 inch rotors, a touring Brembo master, and Brembo calipers. I will be doing a write up on this when I have completed it.

One word of caution on the 13 inch rotors. PM tells me they do not have an off the shelf product that will work with 49mm forks and their 6 piston calipers.

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Dec 31, 2010 | 03:30 AM

#19

spaceblue

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From: The Mohawk Trail

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHGunowner

Eventually I may go this route if the additional caliper and the 11.8 inch rotors doesn't give me the braking improvement I'm looking for. But read my above posting on their use with 49mm forks... if that is what you have.