Radial brake calipers
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Novice
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Ontario
Radial brake calipers
Anyone running the radial brake calipers on their bike, did they improve braking? I'm thinking of buying the brackets and running a set of R1 1 piece calipers or making brackets for a set of tokico 6 pots I have in my parts bin.
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From: Oklahoma
Is this something you just want to do, or has poor braking performance caused this? There is information about cleaning the pistons on the factory calipers to restore proper braking in the maintenance section. That action periodically on all manufacturer's calipers helps maintain designed in performance. On every brake pad replacement I have done, at least one piston is bound, so just brake dust will cause this problem. Cleaning and freeing the pistons restores like new operation.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Waukesha, WI
Not exactly apples to apples, but my 1125R has a similarly designed braking system. In a nutshell, the braking power that bike has is unbelievable. Granted its only 466lbs wet, but with only two fingers the front brake has the capability of sending me over the bars.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Santa Cruz
Not radial but had ness 6 pots and 13 rotors on my old 99 RG. Pretty impressive! But, The stock Brembo calipers work pretty good and putting larger rotors (and caliper mounts) on them is a good (and cheaper) improvement.
Last edited by 0ldhippie; Nov 30, 2018 at 12:41 AM.
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From: New Dork
Why not just go for a set of standard mount tokico 6 pots? Lot less work and expense if you are not going down the upside down fork route.
I see someones have or do make adapters for radial to fork slider conversions. It may also allow for fitting larger disks too. No idea if anyone does them for HDs. I suppose it would depend on which parts you can get cheapest, although you would not be the first HD rider to spend more just for cool or the bragging rights!
These are on a Triumph ... but only 4 pot.
If I were you, I'd be looking at which have the best longevity, are the most easily serviced, and the cheapest to run, eg some six pot calipers have six small pads which are a pain, others flex, ones designed for racing lack 'feel' for the road and require more prepping etc.
There's more to brakes than just locking up your front wheel.
But, hey, probably would not take much work and expense to graft on an entire, upside down front end complete with wheel and brakes ... but then you'd still have to work out spring and dampening ratios.
Do any of the big Japanese cruisers have them? That's be the easiest swop. The front end of a Harley is all foreign, and mostly Japanese already (made by Showa who also do Nissin)*.
* Little history footnote;
In 1950 Showa acquired Rikuo Motorcycle, which had been making licensed versions of Harley Davidson motorcycles from the 1930s until the early 1960s, after which it became an OEM supplier to Harley Davidson. So in many ways, Showa/Nissin is more HD than all other custom and aftermarket HD suppliers today.
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From: Ontario
I would go a full usd front end, just don't have the time to get into that right now. I used to turn all my sport bikes into streetfighters, so there is a drive to do something different for looks but also the brakes on this bike are mushy and don't have a lot of feedback for trail braking. I have a set of tokico 6 pots from my oil cooled days but the new radial one piece will out preform them, I can get the 108mm radial conversion mounts for $100 which makes it fairly cheap swap. I guess I'll just have to give them a try, worst case is it brakes a little better and it looses a few oz's, LOL.
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