Brake Upgrade

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Jan 9, 2016 | 11:41 PM

#31

Owtlaw

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 1,376

Likes: 36

From: Round Rock, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by langwilliams

On that brake line being too short....do you have stock bars? My fatboy has low bars an I'm wondering if the stock line will work until I can get braided lines. I have a set of those calibers in black....thinking of ordering a plain adapter plate an painting it black.

I do have stock bars, but it wouldn't really matter in my case because the part that was too short was south of the splitter for the dual discs. I suspect a single disc setup would be more forgiving in line length.

Jan 14, 2016 | 03:12 AM

#32

stephtell

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 296

Likes: 40

From: Holland

Used to absolutely HAMMER my FXDX everywhere and it was great!

Proper sportsbike!

Jan 15, 2016 | 04:26 AM

#33

Grog

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 240

Likes: 1

From: Columbia MO.

When you go from the two piston to the four piston setup doesnt the master cylinder need to be upgraded as well?

Jan 15, 2016 | 04:59 AM

#34

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,897

From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grog

When you go from the two piston to the four piston setup doesnt the master cylinder need to be upgraded as well?

Not necessarily. It's all down to total piston area. On my Evo Glide I have twin 6-pot calipers, which replace the original twin-pot ones, using the same master cylinder. On my rear brake I have replaced the original single-piston caliper with a 4-pot, again with the same rear master cylinder. H-D seems to have maintained that balance since Evo days right through until very recently. I understand the current Brembo calipers on the big twins use different size master cylinders, their first change for around 20 years or so.

So using Harley components you should be fine, only if going to a radical change of calipers is the master cylinder likely to be a problem.

Jan 15, 2016 | 06:20 AM

#35

Schex

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 5,776

Likes: 7,811

From: SE Louisiana

I have the Brembo calipers front and rear with the original master cylinders with no problems, using dot 5 fluid also.

Jan 15, 2016 | 06:23 AM

#36

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,897

From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schex3x

I have the Brembo calipers front and rear with the original master cylinders with no problems, using dot 5 fluid also.

That's what I plan as well! Collected my 'new' rebuilt forks with Ohlins cartridges today! One small step....

Jan 15, 2016 | 07:45 AM

#37

Owtlaw

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 1,376

Likes: 36

From: Round Rock, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grog

When you go from the two piston to the four piston setup doesnt the master cylinder need to be upgraded as well?

As stated above. I'd add that if you go from single disk to duals is when you need the larger master, according to what I hear. I've never done that particular upgrade.

Jan 15, 2016 | 07:53 AM

#38

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,897

From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owtlaw

As stated above. I'd add that if you go from single disk to duals is when you need the larger master, according to what I hear. I've never done that particular upgrade.

That is true. Doubling calipers is a 'radical change'! Although they both look the same, the MoCo make single and twin caliper master cylinders.

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Feb 7, 2016 | 11:38 AM

#39

Owtlaw

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 1,376

Likes: 36

From: Round Rock, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owtlaw

Test drive complete. Huge difference in stopping power. It's nice to know I can actually lock up the front wheel, but it was interesting discovering that I could. I've got more lever travel than I'm used to, so I'll bleed another session or two to be sure. It may just be a different feel that I have to get used to.

Just a quick update. The increased lever travel persisted for a couple of rides, then settled into a short travel, rock hard lever just like I was used to. I'm guessing the DOT5 had some bubbles embedded that took a while to work out. Very happy with the new braking performance.

Feb 7, 2016 | 02:10 PM

#40

texashillcountry

Dirt don't hurt

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 21,062

Likes: 4,547

From: Haslet Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owtlaw

Just a quick update. The increased lever travel persisted for a couple of rides, then settled into a short travel, rock hard lever just like I was used to. I'm guessing the DOT5 had some bubbles embedded that took a while to work out. Very happy with the new braking performance.

That's interesting.
Mine has stayed long travel.

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