Brake questions...
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Tegucigalpa
Brake questions...
Reading the "restoring 86 heritage" and posting there brought me some questions to mind related to brakes. Some of which have come to mind to someone else besides me. I'm not alone there!lol
1- can the stock rear rotor be DIY drilled? if so, is there any special pattern to consider when drilling?
2- Is the new 00-present "master cylinder" a direct bolt on without having to change calipers? (in front at least)
1- can the stock rear rotor be DIY drilled? if so, is there any special pattern to consider when drilling?
2- Is the new 00-present "master cylinder" a direct bolt on without having to change calipers? (in front at least)
Last edited by Nautilus; Aug 26, 2010 at 09:35 AM. Reason: lack of cake made me right differently
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NW AR
Some people will drill disks. I had a friend that would drill his name into disks. He was a bit "different." He's dead now, but from shooting himself in the head, not from a rear brake disk failure.
A Harley rear brake disk doesn't get a whole lot of use (compared to the front), but in general, drilling a brake disk induces stress and leads to cracking. The best brake disks have the holes cast in them at manufacturing time, not drilled afterwards. It's rumored that the Porsche brake disks are made that way. So, can you drill them? Sure, you can drill anything. Should you? Probably won't hurt anything, especially on the rear. But an aftermarket disk with holes already in it is probably pretty cheap, so consider that too.
There's been a couple of threads on putting the newer calipers on older bikes here recently. Some change out the legs and some use an adapter. Search the Evo section here.
A Harley rear brake disk doesn't get a whole lot of use (compared to the front), but in general, drilling a brake disk induces stress and leads to cracking. The best brake disks have the holes cast in them at manufacturing time, not drilled afterwards. It's rumored that the Porsche brake disks are made that way. So, can you drill them? Sure, you can drill anything. Should you? Probably won't hurt anything, especially on the rear. But an aftermarket disk with holes already in it is probably pretty cheap, so consider that too.
There's been a couple of threads on putting the newer calipers on older bikes here recently. Some change out the legs and some use an adapter. Search the Evo section here.
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Tourer
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From: Tegucigalpa
Thnx on the reply... that's what I thought on the rotor... as for the second.. my mistake, I intended to say "master cylinder"not caliper lol 
I already found some new looking calipers that bolt right on without any changes
I already found some new looking calipers that bolt right on without any changes
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From: Bedford UK
I recently fitted a later rear end on my old Glide, including 2007 4-pot calliper and a new floating drilled Harley rotor. The old brake was larger in diameter and solid. Can't say either brake is better. I could lock the rear wheel with the old brake, but haven't managed to do that with the new one yet, although I haven't set out to try.
I would certainly recommend using new drilled rotors. They will probably be a superior material to Evo generation ones and also a better match with current brake pad materials. If you also replace rubber stock hoses with braided ones your stock brakes will be a lot sharper.
These comments are made by the proud owner of 13" front rotors and 6-pot calipers....
I would certainly recommend using new drilled rotors. They will probably be a superior material to Evo generation ones and also a better match with current brake pad materials. If you also replace rubber stock hoses with braided ones your stock brakes will be a lot sharper.
These comments are made by the proud owner of 13" front rotors and 6-pot calipers....
Last edited by grbrown; Aug 26, 2010 at 12:09 PM.
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Tourer
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From: Tegucigalpa
why did u fit smaller diameter rotors? that reduces braking... no wonder u can't lock up the rear easily as u used to... or did u mean width?
I've heard the new rotors ar thinner than evos'
I've heard the new rotors ar thinner than evos'
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
The fronts are 2 inches bigger! The rear came with the 2007 swingarm I fitted, along with a 2005 wheel. So I only fitted the smaller rear rotor with the wheel because I wanted the stronger later swingarm. However changing from a single-piston caliper to a 4-piston one I suspect I have at least as much braking effort as I had with the stock setup. I just haven't tried to lock it up, but I suspect it will.
Last edited by grbrown; Aug 26, 2010 at 05:33 PM.
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Tourer
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From: Tegucigalpa
ah, I see... but really 6 pot calipers don't do as much difference as a bigger rotor does.. just compare it with a superbike... a ducati 1198 comes with a 4 pot... but look at the size of the rotor!
but I'm not trying to diss, I see why u fitted the smaller rotor... it's just something to keep in mind for brakes
but I'm not trying to diss, I see why u fitted the smaller rotor... it's just something to keep in mind for brakes
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
ah, I see... but really 6 pot calipers don't do as much difference as a bigger rotor does.. just compare it with a superbike... a ducati 1198 comes with a 4 pot... but look at the size of the rotor!
but I'm not trying to diss, I see why u fitted the smaller rotor... it's just something to keep in mind for brakes
but I'm not trying to diss, I see why u fitted the smaller rotor... it's just something to keep in mind for brakes
We get by just fine.....
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