Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 303
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
during the advanced rider safety course I found the Fatboy tends to throw alot of weight forward in a quick stop. it lightens the rear pretty quick so you lose alot of the 30% rear breaking you have as is on a normal bike. I think its like 70% front brake / 30% rear... anyway, in a quick stop the rear will lock up pretty easy...
the other thing is Harleys only have one front disc rotor vs most sports bikes have two up front...
the other thing is Harleys only have one front disc rotor vs most sports bikes have two up front...
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Joined: Jul 2007
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RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
Hey guys, thanks for the info. Paul C I know what you mean, all those years of riding on the SB I hardly used the rear brake while riding except when parked at a light, so when I first grabbed the front brake on the fatboy and she did not stop in the distance I had it gave me a good scare, I guess I need to learn this bike and ride accordingly keeping distance and getting used to stopping with rear brake too. I plan on upgrading to steel lines and Lyndall pads at the 1000 mile mark while its at the dealer... however if I want to save some $$$ how hard is it to change these parts out, I can bleed the lines (did it all the time on the SB) but have never chnaged out lines and pads.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,184
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From: Oregon
RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
Well after locking up the rear on a fatboy 07 a few more times than I like, I bought some Lyndal brake pads.. tho I never got to use them as their site doesnt cover the differences that certain models have on the pads backplate... went to fit it in my rear caliper and it didnt work. I opened up my service manual and their was a slight difference.
And when I did try to put em in I broke something LOL, so I got some Proformance Machine Brakes.. a 4piston for the rear and 6piston for the front. I have yet to lock up the rear since changing the stockers to the PM brake.
Oh all that black crap on my rotor you see in the picture above is from the stock HD caliper/pads. Its f'n clean looking now with the PM brakes (heh) all that black crap is gone.
And when I did try to put em in I broke something LOL, so I got some Proformance Machine Brakes.. a 4piston for the rear and 6piston for the front. I have yet to lock up the rear since changing the stockers to the PM brake.
Oh all that black crap on my rotor you see in the picture above is from the stock HD caliper/pads. Its f'n clean looking now with the PM brakes (heh) all that black crap is gone.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
Vert sweet setup! but musta been mucho $$$, did the lyndalls not fit the fatboy? not clear on that one... Gotta admit you got a beauty there, what kind of bars are those and how do they differ from stockers? Also can you add a windshield to the bike with the nacelle? TIA
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
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RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
ORIGINAL: Waltman
I also come from years of riding only sport bikes and had learnedto use the Fat Boy brakes the hard way.My previous ride wasan '04ABS BMW RT1150.
The FB front brakes lock easy. I've locked my front tire several times andis losing thread more rapidly than my rear.I'll probably upgrade thepadsand lineswhen my bike is ready for new rubber.
Be safe and keep your distance. Just my 2 c.
I also come from years of riding only sport bikes and had learnedto use the Fat Boy brakes the hard way.My previous ride wasan '04ABS BMW RT1150.
The FB front brakes lock easy. I've locked my front tire several times andis losing thread more rapidly than my rear.I'll probably upgrade thepadsand lineswhen my bike is ready for new rubber.
Be safe and keep your distance. Just my 2 c.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
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RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
Yes the big difference is the weight and the fact that you only have one rotor instead of two. The front rotor on a Harley is only a 4 piston and going with a six piston or better pads will help out in the long run and give you better stopping power. I have changed my pads to the lyndal pads and they are much better than the stock Harley pads. As far as installing them it is a breeze one bolt on the back and two on the front.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
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From: ARIZONA
RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
Have any of you replaced your rotor with the pad change? The tech in me has gotta believe that a pad only change without doing anything to the rotor would be pointless, alas I do not know. any help?
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
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RE: Brake Upgrade on '07 Fatboy
As long as the rotor is in good condition there should be no reason to change the rotor. Sounds like they are trying to milk out extra cash from ya. You could upgrade to floating rotors on top of the better pad butthe lyndall pad alone should make a great difference.