Disc brake 78 FL

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May 14, 2010 | 08:58 AM

redhawktrader

Thread Starter

Stage III

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 3

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Disc brake 78 FL

Hope somebody can shed some light on this issue. I just picked up a 78 FL with stock rear 10" disc brakes. The caliper was so far forward that the support spring was not centered under it. I adjusted the chain (it was loose) but the caliper is still forward and not centered over the axle, the caliper anchor bar seems to be stock with the center holes being 11 1/4 inches apart (stock specks center to center) but they need to be 10 1/4 inches to more correctly center the caliper, I can redrill the holes but I dont understand what happened. Has anybody had this issue before? Wrong caliper axle mount bracket maybe?
Thanks
Ray

May 14, 2010 | 10:48 AM

frog13

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,140

Likes: 17

From: Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawktrader

I'll try to help you out. First, the support spring, if this is the spring with the plate that bolts to the axle, it is an aftermarket part to hold the caliper up as the bushings wear from vibration, a "fix" for an issue in the design. Whether or not it is centered doesn't matter, as long as it holds it up so the pad pins don't contact the rotor. As far as the caliper not being centered over the axle, no problem, the caliper can be anywhere around the rotor diameter. I used to have a rigid where the caliper bracket located the caliper 90 degrees offset to the rear, no problems at all. I've seen them located in all kinds of places, even upside down, although that looks like trouble to me from road debris, water, whatever. I grabbed a pic of a stock '79 FX off the net, notice the spring holding up the caliper and how the caliper is located forward of center. This is the same setup on your FL.

May 14, 2010 | 11:00 AM

dragpipe

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 499

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From: cambridge, ontario

ya man. the caliper can be anywhere you want.
look at my bike. it had drum brakes that i switched for disc. look where i mounted mine! i was worried about over heating from the exhaust, but after riding for a good distance, they are still cool to the touch. air-cooled.