looking for a little help
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
looking for a little help
Ok guys, heres the deal, i hate the brake calipers on my 1998 electra glide, they are soft, and just plain crappy, i would like to upgrade to at least a newer style 4 piston caliper, to my understanding, 99-02 retained a 3/4 axle, so i can keep my stock wheels which are 3/4 axle, so my question is to you, will 99-08 calipers, are they all the same, brembos? looking for help...and guidance, thanks chad.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
I upgraded my '98 calipers with the newer, but pre-Brembo, units. I used an adapter plate. Those calipers are easy to get and pretty cheap. If you haven't done it yet, upgrade to SS lines also.
MAJOR difference in braking power.
MAJOR difference in braking power.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I went over the top and fitted 13" discs and 6-pot calipers, with braided hoses, as my cure, but you will find hoses alone will improve things, also following guidance in the general tech forum on soft front brakes. It has a spelling mistake in its name, but is top thread! Might be worth trying before spending any bucks, as you may need the same advice following any changes you do make!
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
Where did you get the adapters?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Just Google "harley caliper adapter" and you'll get a bunch of hits. I used the Bikers Choice adapters ($50) because they are just flat chrome with no markings or lettering on them. I don't remember where I got them, but they are available here:
http://www.shopwizardscycle.com/bike...eradapter.aspx
I installed the H-D "Stylized Chrome Calipers" 4-pot units on my bike that I got for a song on eBay, but they are no longer made. I think they look great - they have "Harley Davidson" embossed in black on them. They use the standard 2000-up H-D pads and pins, and they stop the bike far better than the ugly old single-pot black stockers ever could.
You will need longer brake lines, because the adapters move the caliper down about 2" from the normal position. I would suggest installing the calipers and then measuring the lower line length you will need. I bolted mine into place without the front wheel attached to take the measurements. I went 2" over stock and that was just about perfect for the H-D calipers I used.
Don't know about your bike, but I also had to install a completely new splitter under the triple tree on mine, because the stock unit had the small upper steel line to the master cylinder (fugly!) permanently attached to it, and I wanted to use SS lines anyway. I ended up replacing everything with Russell SS lines and chrome fittings. They weren't cheap, but they look and work great!
Here's what they look like on my bike:
http://www.shopwizardscycle.com/bike...eradapter.aspx
I installed the H-D "Stylized Chrome Calipers" 4-pot units on my bike that I got for a song on eBay, but they are no longer made. I think they look great - they have "Harley Davidson" embossed in black on them. They use the standard 2000-up H-D pads and pins, and they stop the bike far better than the ugly old single-pot black stockers ever could.
You will need longer brake lines, because the adapters move the caliper down about 2" from the normal position. I would suggest installing the calipers and then measuring the lower line length you will need. I bolted mine into place without the front wheel attached to take the measurements. I went 2" over stock and that was just about perfect for the H-D calipers I used.
Don't know about your bike, but I also had to install a completely new splitter under the triple tree on mine, because the stock unit had the small upper steel line to the master cylinder (fugly!) permanently attached to it, and I wanted to use SS lines anyway. I ended up replacing everything with Russell SS lines and chrome fittings. They weren't cheap, but they look and work great!
Here's what they look like on my bike:
Oops
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Pantego,NC.
All good answers.My bike is an 83 flt,and im still running the stock front calipers and they work fine,The rear however i up graded to the newer 2000-up caliper which works great.I did have to weld a tab to the swingarm for it but that wasnt and hasnt been a issue at all.If youre getting spongy brakes try replacing the lines with braided line first,and replace all the fluid.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: San Diego (Poway), CA
Thanks for the info on the adaptors. Thought I'd have to replace the lower legs to get some brakeing power. 
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
im gonna go ahead and replace the legs, i wanted to get mine powdercoated anyway, so i bought a set of stock ones dirt cheap off a 02 and gonna have them coated, the stock breaking system just isnt up to par to stop a 800 lbs bike.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Quite right! Except that I reckon my bike plus wife and I with luggage total close to 1200 pounds ready to roll!
Last edited by grbrown; Jan 1, 2010 at 04:54 PM. Reason: Grammar
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 20
From: Driftless Area
You shouldn't have to worry about your axles and such, just talk to the techs and if they're reputable they should be able to steer you right on what you need to make the conversion. Harleys are like old chevy small blocks, tons of parts for them.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hallfleming
Dyna Glide Models
2
Jan 21, 2016 07:47 PM