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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
I have a 2013 Street Bob and would like to upgrade braking performance via simple means, i.e. no dual disk conversion, different calipers. Think pads. discs, lines.
I have a 2013 Street Bob and would like to upgrade braking performance via simple means, i.e. no dual disk conversion, different calipers. Think pads. discs, lines.
Any suggestions?
Yes, I would recommend upgrading your pads, disks and lines!
Sorry...
But seriously... A good sintered brake pad (like an EBC) will help braking performance. Stainless lines (like Spiegler or Goodridge) will help lever feel (but not overall stopping ability). Flushing your fluid (if it's never been done) may help brake feel as well.
No reason to mess with the rotor if it's not beat.
I have a 2013 Street Bob and would like to upgrade braking performance via simple means, i.e. no dual disk conversion, different calipers. Think pads. discs, lines.
Any suggestions?
I went down the same path as you are, I wanted more braking performance from the front brake but didn't want a dual conversion or different calipers. I've already upgraded the front suspension and went to Lyndall Z+ brake pads front and rear; I've always liked the Lyndall pads, no dust. For the next step I opted for the Arlen Ness Big Brake rotor and Goodridge ebony braided brake lines. Along with the new Lyndall Gold Plus pads I do believe I'll increase my front braking performance even further; if I could just get a quiet afternoon to install everything
If u want to keep it simple, pads and steel braided lines. That will get you started. The condition of your rotors may need changing too the same time depending how much mileage u have on them.
Like TinCupChalice I went with the Ness Big Brake disc kit. I use EBC HH sintered pads and a steel braided line (can't remember the brand, Drag Specialies maybe, nothing too fancy).
If you go the Ness Big Brake route, it's important to get the right kit for your year of Dyna - HD changed the front discs to 11.8" from 11.5" in 2006 or thereabouts, by simply moving the cast caliper lugs on the fork sllder outboard a quarter inch. Ness initially didn't know about the change (make of that what you will!) and sold a kit for "dynas" irrespective of their model year. On the later bikes it located the pads a quarter inch outboard of where it should be over the disc friction surface.
Ness have now fixed the issue, and kit 02-972 fits 2006-wire wheeled Street Bobs etc which ship with the 11.8" discs. But note, virtually no-one (not even Ness themselves!) lists the part on their website, so you'll need to specify that part when you contact them.
As to its performance, I'm very happy with the distinct improvement it's made. more braking for less effort at the lever and, more importantly, I can now bring the bike to the edge of controlled lockup without that numb-spongy deathgrip lack-of-feeling of the standard set-up.
Last edited by Davdoodles; Mar 25, 2016 at 05:39 PM.
On another vaguely off-topic note, I think it's absurd that Harley builds big, torquey, heavy motorcycles that cost $15,000 - $20,000 and equips them with a single disk front end.
Davdoodles is absolutely on the money and it is my fault, I should have posted that information, my Big Brake rotor kit did arrive with the incorrect caliper adapter for my '13 with the 49mm forks and 11.5" discs. I contacted Arlen Ness and they were aware of the issue and shipped me out a new adapter within a week. The part number stamped in to the adapter is 02-972-1. If you do order the Ness kit and the adapter is not stamped with that number call them, they'll ship it right out to you.
Wearing the dumbass hat tonight, sorry about that...
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Upgrading brakes - looking for recommendations
