Springer front brake? Why do they suck?
I think the theory that it remained a single piston is style more than necessity sounds plausible. The idea that the front end can't handle is is silly, as I have seen springers with the more powerful 4 piston brakes.
I was just curious, thank you for all the responses and thoughts. Although I have not found a perfect reason, there are some that make me go, "Hmmm?"
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Joined: Apr 2009
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I run a Mid USA springer first of all it handles better than my old stock front end did and a smother ride too. Its on an 03 night train. Second i run a 4piston caliper and third you dont want it to grab too agressive if it locks up you are screwd
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From: Honah Lee
Just my two cents? maybe 1, but Harley thinks if your are old school enough to want a springer you want the narrow single piston caliper on it. It would not look old school with the wider duel piston unit. It stops fine and has it's place. Just too much polishing work for me. Like having 3 spoke wheels. But sure is pretty.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: West Coast, BC
harley put an upgraded caliper on the CVO springer and did nothave to redesign the front end - remember??
I think they realize that the person who rides a springer has far better skills than the ordinairy rider and gives them weaker brakes just to balance things out.
I think they realize that the person who rides a springer has far better skills than the ordinairy rider and gives them weaker brakes just to balance things out.
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From: Rochester, NY
I beleive there are a number of reasons for the MOCO not to upgrade the caliper to a larger one.
One must have to do with the forces it would put on the fork tubes at max brakeing.
But another and somewhat less serious one that's not been mentioned is the added unspring wright.
The fork tubes of an FX or FL front can easily absorb the added unsprung weight of a larger caliper, or even an extra disk and caliper.
But I wonder if when they tested them with the larger caliper they found that the small single shock and springs used on springers might not be able to handle the extra weight over a long time frame.
One must have to do with the forces it would put on the fork tubes at max brakeing.
But another and somewhat less serious one that's not been mentioned is the added unspring wright.
The fork tubes of an FX or FL front can easily absorb the added unsprung weight of a larger caliper, or even an extra disk and caliper.
But I wonder if when they tested them with the larger caliper they found that the small single shock and springs used on springers might not be able to handle the extra weight over a long time frame.
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the springers can handle it fine 2 years of ridding mine with a four piston it does fine.
For the record on the unsprung weight issue my old stocker dove worse than the springer and it had less miles than the springer
Springers can handle it they are on every custom out there why Harley didnt use them as common is only understood by the designer
Just like Dawidmer said dont forget they did on the CVO springer
For the record on the unsprung weight issue my old stocker dove worse than the springer and it had less miles than the springer
Springers can handle it they are on every custom out there why Harley didnt use them as common is only understood by the designer
Just like Dawidmer said dont forget they did on the CVO springer
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Pataskala, Ohio
I've never had any trouble braking my crossbones, and the springer front end is the smoothest bike you will ever ride. brettnbama said it best "it's the cool factor". I've riden alot of different bikes over the last 63 years, and the bones is the best. Some of you may remember when we had no front brake.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: southern Alberta Canada
The one reason I can think of on springers from the ninties and early 2000's is maybe because more powerfull front brake's would lock up the skinny front tire faster. The crossbones with the wide tire I woulda thought would have a better front brake.
I am almost positive that the reason is that Harley doesn't care about braking capabilities anyways, they think the exixting setup is good enough to stop the bike and it looks cool so why would they change it. look at how many of thier new bikes have single disc front brake setups, if they cared about function more than looks every bike would have dual discs.
I am almost positive that the reason is that Harley doesn't care about braking capabilities anyways, they think the exixting setup is good enough to stop the bike and it looks cool so why would they change it. look at how many of thier new bikes have single disc front brake setups, if they cared about function more than looks every bike would have dual discs.
