Ohh, gimmie a brake!
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 89
Likes: 20
From: Alabama
Ohh, gimmie a brake!
Seriously! I have a brake problem. I've owned Sportys and SGs and some Brit bikes. We ran into some hard times last year and the toys had to go. In January I managed to scrape up enough cash to buy another XL1200 cheap; it needed work. Got it running and last week I traded it on a 2006 FXSTS Softail Springer.
Bike looks good, runs great, handles very well and doesn't stop worth a damn. Skinny front tire and a single disk/single piston caliper just doesn't make much of an impression on this heavy bike. I don't know how this escaped me on the test ride and, frankly, I was in love with the bike anyway. Gotta watch out for those painted ladies.
Any suggestions regarding some braking improvement? Bigger caliper, better brake pad material? I would rather decide how much to load the front tire in a stop, instead of the brake doing all it can but that not being enough.
Bike looks good, runs great, handles very well and doesn't stop worth a damn. Skinny front tire and a single disk/single piston caliper just doesn't make much of an impression on this heavy bike. I don't know how this escaped me on the test ride and, frankly, I was in love with the bike anyway. Gotta watch out for those painted ladies.
Any suggestions regarding some braking improvement? Bigger caliper, better brake pad material? I would rather decide how much to load the front tire in a stop, instead of the brake doing all it can but that not being enough.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
Start with changing the stock lines to braided lines if you are on a budget.
6 piston front / 4 piston rear calipers, floating rotors, braided lines if you want a reason to justify the engine work.
6 piston front / 4 piston rear calipers, floating rotors, braided lines if you want a reason to justify the engine work.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 1,128
From:
In order to remain cost effective.
Place bike on a lift.
Rotate wheels slowly by hand and review rotor.
A warped rotor will make the brake piston bounce in and out.
When the piston goes in and out rapidly it heats the rotor and also impairs braking.
Bike should have more than enough braking power if it is stock.
Some folks tape a sharpie to the sliders and another to the swing swing arm with the marker tip really close to the rotor, if their eyesight is unable to see the warp in the rotor.
Place bike on a lift.
Rotate wheels slowly by hand and review rotor.
A warped rotor will make the brake piston bounce in and out.
When the piston goes in and out rapidly it heats the rotor and also impairs braking.
Bike should have more than enough braking power if it is stock.
Some folks tape a sharpie to the sliders and another to the swing swing arm with the marker tip really close to the rotor, if their eyesight is unable to see the warp in the rotor.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
EBC HH brake pads. bite better then stock.
SS brake lines.
Stiffen front suspension. Riccors, race tech springs, progressive cartridges.
Replace caliper with Brembo from touring bike and 300mm rotor.
Replace brake fluid.
nissan/ducati/tokico style caliper and 12.6" rotor.
Agreed, softail braking is weak.
Something new for 2015:
http://www.arlenness.com/prodcat/Rotor9.asp
.
.
SS brake lines.
Stiffen front suspension. Riccors, race tech springs, progressive cartridges.
Replace caliper with Brembo from touring bike and 300mm rotor.
Replace brake fluid.
nissan/ducati/tokico style caliper and 12.6" rotor.
Agreed, softail braking is weak.
Something new for 2015:
http://www.arlenness.com/prodcat/Rotor9.asp
.
.
Last edited by KumaRide; Jun 2, 2015 at 05:46 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
When I moved from my road king to my springer, I noticed the increased pressure necessary for a similar stop from the dual disk on the road king. But I have plenty of braking power, just have to muscle it a bit more. You'll never do a stoppie on a springer but they have adequate brakes.
Start with the basics to ensure nothing is wrong. I'm assuming you can skid your rear tire at will since they don't do all that much anyway. How are your pads, good meat on them and even wear? Confirm your front caliper isn't half frozen. Swap your fluid, look for anything out of place on the master and that you get a good shot of fluid with a lever stroke when bleeding.
Maybe you'll find something amiss in this test and avoid spending any real money. If you know another springer guy, have him give it a ride and see if it's normal for Springers after you've done the basic maintenance.
My suggestions from one man on a budget to another.
Start with the basics to ensure nothing is wrong. I'm assuming you can skid your rear tire at will since they don't do all that much anyway. How are your pads, good meat on them and even wear? Confirm your front caliper isn't half frozen. Swap your fluid, look for anything out of place on the master and that you get a good shot of fluid with a lever stroke when bleeding.
Maybe you'll find something amiss in this test and avoid spending any real money. If you know another springer guy, have him give it a ride and see if it's normal for Springers after you've done the basic maintenance.
My suggestions from one man on a budget to another.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1,846
From: Albuquerque, NM
EBC HH brake pads. bite better then stock.
SS brake lines.
Stiffen front suspension. Riccors, race tech springs, progressive cartridges.
Replace caliper with Brembo from touring bike and 300mm rotor.
Replace brake fluid.
nissan/ducati/tokico style caliper and 12.6" rotor.
Agreed, softail braking is weak.
Something new for 2015:
http://www.arlenness.com/prodcat/Rotor9.asp
.
.
SS brake lines.
Stiffen front suspension. Riccors, race tech springs, progressive cartridges.
Replace caliper with Brembo from touring bike and 300mm rotor.
Replace brake fluid.
nissan/ducati/tokico style caliper and 12.6" rotor.
Agreed, softail braking is weak.
Something new for 2015:
http://www.arlenness.com/prodcat/Rotor9.asp
.
.
I agree with the HH pads. I always use them on all my bikes.
I don't think the other stuff will work on his springer fork.
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