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I've had the parts on the workbench for a while, and decided that today was the day I'd upgrade the old FXR to the 2000 up 4 pot HD calipers. I was planning to do this back in October, but the new top end unexpectedly had a higher priority.
The FXR already has the dual front disc setup, so it really stops pretty well, but I've seen the 4 pots listed online so cheap, I figured, why not? More is better.
I hit Ebay and found a set of two takeoffs that looked decent for $49 plus shipping. So for 60 bucks shipped I got 2 nice calipers, a braided set of brake lines and a set of chrome caliper covers (which I hate, but somebody will have to have). In the Biker's Choice catalog, I found some chrome adapters made for the purpose of mounting the newer calipers on our old bikes. Pricey, but necessary. A friend of mine who has a shop got them in for me and made me a deal at about $42 each. Needed 2. I hit Amazon prime and got a couple of seal kits for the calipers at just over 10 bucks each. Add another 10 dollar bottle of DOT 5 from the parts store, and our total is about $175. Not bad really.
I determined by the "slippery test" that the residual brake fluid in the calipers was DOT 5, so I probably didn't need to rebuild them, but since the seal kits were cheap, I did anyway. I even flushed everything with denatured alcohol. In my case, this was probably overkill, but when you are changing from DOT 3 or 4 to DOT 5, it's absolutely necessary.
Fitted everything up and.......
Hoses won't reach. I suppose I should have seen that one coming. Off to the brake shop Monday morning to have a new set made.
Ugh.....hate when that happens, seems everything I do some little thing catches me. I am very interested in this upgrade and the outcome, I believe we have the same brake setup.
Just dropped the brake line assembly off at Hydraulic House to have 2" over lower lines made in braided stainless. $142, which was pretty much what it was going to cost me to make my own, but will be done tomorrow and DOT tested to boot. And I get to retain the top hose which is all custom bent steel, except for a 1" hose section to clamp to the tree. I'll retain the stock fit.
The non-abs ones before HD went to Brembo. I think that makes them 2000-2006. Something like that. I think the brackets would fit the Brembos as well, but used ones are a lot more expensive.
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Brake Upgrade
