single disc brake conversion?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Thanks for the Input guys I really appreciate it.....I can't seem to find any pics of an 18 inch wheel on the front with both rotors....If you can still see a majority of the wheel I think I would rather go that route...A good point was brought up about the low pro tires on the 21s and I think I'd rather stick with the bigger tire
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
The fallacy of people complaining about poor ride quality is just that. A fallacy. Enough on that for now.
Swapping to a single disc specifically depends on the year and model of your bike and if it has ABS or not so provide that info and we can help.
Swapping to a single disc specifically depends on the year and model of your bike and if it has ABS or not so provide that info and we can help.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
The FACT is, a 21" tire hasn't got much of a sidewall and therefore, doesn't absorb as much energy from an impact with road surface anomalies as a tire with a higher sidewall, that's what causes the rougher ride.
We won't even get into the smaller "footprint" of a skinny tire and it's negative effect on handling on a big bike.
Removing half of your front braking power for "looks" is not very bright either.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Says the guy that sells big wheels for a living.....
The FACT is, a 21" tire hasn't got much of a sidewall and therefore, doesn't absorb as much energy from an impact with road surface anomalies as a tire with a higher sidewall, that's what causes the rougher ride.
We won't even get into the smaller "footprint" of a skinny tire and it's negative effect on handling on a big bike.
Removing half of your front braking power for "looks" is not very bright either.
The FACT is, a 21" tire hasn't got much of a sidewall and therefore, doesn't absorb as much energy from an impact with road surface anomalies as a tire with a higher sidewall, that's what causes the rougher ride.
We won't even get into the smaller "footprint" of a skinny tire and it's negative effect on handling on a big bike.
Removing half of your front braking power for "looks" is not very bright either.
I'm not worried about the roughness of the ride but more of the stability and cornering abilities
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
2003 electra glide standard
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
On an 03 you need a single brake line from the master cylinder to the single caliper. For the lower legs you can either machine of the mounting ears for the stock caliper and chrome or power coat or buy a set of legs that are designed to take a single caliper setup.
Get a wheel configured for a bagger with a single disc. You will probably want to do a 9/16 master cylinder as well on that 03.
Get a wheel configured for a bagger with a single disc. You will probably want to do a 9/16 master cylinder as well on that 03.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Loves Park IL
My bike started life with a 16".
Converted front to HD 18".
Then went to 21" front.
Does the bike now ride rougher?
Little, but I attribute that more to kit I used to lower the front than to to the "lack" of tire or side wall. Fellow rider has 21" with a different lowering kit, rides a lot better than mine.
Single disc?
Never! Instead I went to dual HHI six piston calipers. Stops awesome!
My two cents...
Converted front to HD 18".
Then went to 21" front.
Does the bike now ride rougher?
Little, but I attribute that more to kit I used to lower the front than to to the "lack" of tire or side wall. Fellow rider has 21" with a different lowering kit, rides a lot better than mine.
Single disc?
Never! Instead I went to dual HHI six piston calipers. Stops awesome!
My two cents...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,156
Likes: 1,904
From: Doghouse... mostly
On a show bike, the single sided brake set-up may look good to you but on a real world every day ride around bike why in the hell would you want to reduce the braking power that may end up saving your life? That's just RETARDED.