single disc brake conversion?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 597
Likes: 8
From: 42.5833° N, 114.4667° W
New forks if you want it to look nice.
I think Arlen Ness sells nice fork for this very conversion.
What bike are you converting?
Does the bike have ABS?
If its dual lines from the switch you'll have to switch the banjo bolt to a shorter one with just one hole as you'll have to eliminate one line.
If its one line and splits, you'll need to replace the line to single.
Theres some other BADASS fork setups that have mounting points for both calipers on one side (one rotor).
Personally, I don't see an incredible benefit in that.
Someone smarter will chime in, I'm sure.
Good luck.
I think Arlen Ness sells nice fork for this very conversion.
What bike are you converting?
Does the bike have ABS?
If its dual lines from the switch you'll have to switch the banjo bolt to a shorter one with just one hole as you'll have to eliminate one line.
If its one line and splits, you'll need to replace the line to single.
Theres some other BADASS fork setups that have mounting points for both calipers on one side (one rotor).
Personally, I don't see an incredible benefit in that.
Someone smarter will chime in, I'm sure.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
New forks if you want it to look nice.
I think Arlen Ness sells nice fork for this very conversion.
What bike are you converting?
Does the bike have ABS?
If its dual lines from the switch you'll have to switch the banjo bolt to a shorter one with just one hole as you'll have to eliminate one line.
If its one line and splits, you'll need to replace the line to single.
Theres some other BADASS fork setups that have mounting points for both calipers on one side (one rotor).
Personally, I don't see an incredible benefit in that.
Someone smarter will chime in, I'm sure.
Good luck.
I think Arlen Ness sells nice fork for this very conversion.
What bike are you converting?
Does the bike have ABS?
If its dual lines from the switch you'll have to switch the banjo bolt to a shorter one with just one hole as you'll have to eliminate one line.
If its one line and splits, you'll need to replace the line to single.
Theres some other BADASS fork setups that have mounting points for both calipers on one side (one rotor).
Personally, I don't see an incredible benefit in that.
Someone smarter will chime in, I'm sure.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
The reason I ask is I'm wanting to go with ano 18 inch front wheel so I don't mess up ride quality like I hear the 21 inch wheels do...I prefer the look of the 21 and I could keep dual disks cuz I would actually see the wheel then....do you think if I went with a 21 front it would me much worse handling than the 18? I do have a 16 inch rear
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 702
Likes: 44
From: McHenry, IL
The reason I ask is I'm wanting to go with ano 18 inch front wheel so I don't mess up ride quality like I hear the 21 inch wheels do...I prefer the look of the 21 and I could keep dual disks cuz I would actually see the wheel then....do you think if I went with a 21 front it would me much worse handling than the 18? I do have a 16 inch rear
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
Here we go ....
Go with 18" and keep both discs. No performance motorcycle has large diameter wheels and a 21 likely will change frame geometry, unless the rubber is low profile. So, i believe handling is not better w/ 21s, and likely is diminished. I won't mod my SG for less performance and handling. Also, there are many more tire options for 18s, and a big profile tire takes road hazards way better than all low profile tires. I want a tire that takes abuse and looks good while doing it. Need big rubber for that.
I would not give up a front brake rotor. Our beasts are heavy. We need serious brakes to stay alive. Keep two and do a brembo upgrade with take off-calipers and good floating rotors. Easy.
Go with 18" and keep both discs. No performance motorcycle has large diameter wheels and a 21 likely will change frame geometry, unless the rubber is low profile. So, i believe handling is not better w/ 21s, and likely is diminished. I won't mod my SG for less performance and handling. Also, there are many more tire options for 18s, and a big profile tire takes road hazards way better than all low profile tires. I want a tire that takes abuse and looks good while doing it. Need big rubber for that.
I would not give up a front brake rotor. Our beasts are heavy. We need serious brakes to stay alive. Keep two and do a brembo upgrade with take off-calipers and good floating rotors. Easy.
Last edited by jefla; Feb 16, 2015 at 09:06 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I have 21s on two tourers. Handing is "slower" in the twistys, period!. But harleys aren't handlers anyway. Lean angle gets used up before the 21s handing makes any difference in real life. 21 is all about the look. Single disk will reduce braking but if done right with 13" rotor an 6 piston caliper, not by much. Again, it is about the look. I used to ride bikes with a little drum brake on the rear and no front brake at all. I'm still alive... It's your bike, make it the way ya want!
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 368
Likes: 3
From: pennsylvania
If you lower the front end with the 21" wheel the geometry should remain the same or close to it. Im goin through this debate right now. Im thinkin of goin 21" and keepin both calipers up front. 1 calipee looks great on choppers or bobbers but 1 caliper on a tourig bike just kinda looks naked and somethin missin without it. Id think as long as you can keep as close to the same width tire up front it should handle just as good and deal with road hazards well. Its when ya get skinny and low profile that they like to follow tar snakes and what not.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 680
Likes: 224
From: Buhl, Idaho
To each his own, but I am in no way inclined to give up ANY braking power just for looks. I can't see the damn things when I'm riding, anyway.Those triple brembo set-ups are very good for a big, heavy bike that gets ridden.Those singles all chromed out look real nice, but so what? Is the bike for show or life? My opinions only, do what you will, of course.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
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