Brembo front brake conversion project
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Brembo front brake conversion project
Went to a swap meet at my local HD store, and the dealership had a bunch of take-off items for sale. Bought a pair of silver Brembo brake calipers to install on my '04 EG. I have some homework to do (but have already exchanged some PM's with FastHarley (thanks, Howard for your help) and peaked at WVULTRA'S 21 page (with pics) exhaustive discourse), and will begin the project as soon as I buy a pair of take-off '08 rotors. I posted a WTB listing in the classifieds, so if you have or know of a pair of low mileage take-offs, shoot me a PM.
I plan to write-up the swap with pics (though it won't be anywhere close to 21 pages). I'd like to provide some empirical comparisons of my stock braking system with the Brembos. If you have a suggestion or two about how to do this, let me know. There will be some variances that are simply unavoidable. For example, while I have fresh pads and very well-maintained stock calipers on my bike, the pads are HD OEM. The Brembos will get Lyndall pads, though I'm not sure which ones. So, the comparison will not be exactly apples to apples.
Anyway, I'll let you know when I do the swap. In the meantime, let me know of any '08 take-off rotors, and let me know how you would test the two systems (safely, of course).
I plan to write-up the swap with pics (though it won't be anywhere close to 21 pages). I'd like to provide some empirical comparisons of my stock braking system with the Brembos. If you have a suggestion or two about how to do this, let me know. There will be some variances that are simply unavoidable. For example, while I have fresh pads and very well-maintained stock calipers on my bike, the pads are HD OEM. The Brembos will get Lyndall pads, though I'm not sure which ones. So, the comparison will not be exactly apples to apples.
Anyway, I'll let you know when I do the swap. In the meantime, let me know of any '08 take-off rotors, and let me know how you would test the two systems (safely, of course).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 11
From: Longview, Washington
Went to a swap meet at my local HD store, and the dealership had a bunch of take-off items for sale. Bought a pair of silver Brembo brake calipers to install on my '04 EG. I have some homework to do (but have already exchanged some PM's with FastHarley (thanks, Howard for your help) and peaked at WVULTRA'S 21 page (with pics) exhaustive discourse), and will begin the project as soon as I buy a pair of take-off '08 rotors. I posted a WTB listing in the classifieds, so if you have or know of a pair of low mileage take-offs, shoot me a PM.
I plan to write-up the swap with pics (though it won't be anywhere close to 21 pages). I'd like to provide some empirical comparisons of my stock braking system with the Brembos. If you have a suggestion or two about how to do this, let me know. There will be some variances that are simply unavoidable. For example, while I have fresh pads and very well-maintained stock calipers on my bike, the pads are HD OEM. The Brembos will get Lyndall pads, though I'm not sure which ones. So, the comparison will not be exactly apples to apples.
Anyway, I'll let you know when I do the swap. In the meantime, let me know of any '08 take-off rotors, and let me know how you would test the two systems (safely, of course).
I plan to write-up the swap with pics (though it won't be anywhere close to 21 pages). I'd like to provide some empirical comparisons of my stock braking system with the Brembos. If you have a suggestion or two about how to do this, let me know. There will be some variances that are simply unavoidable. For example, while I have fresh pads and very well-maintained stock calipers on my bike, the pads are HD OEM. The Brembos will get Lyndall pads, though I'm not sure which ones. So, the comparison will not be exactly apples to apples.
Anyway, I'll let you know when I do the swap. In the meantime, let me know of any '08 take-off rotors, and let me know how you would test the two systems (safely, of course).
Ebay listing
Steve
Last edited by sifularson; Nov 4, 2008 at 01:19 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 455
Likes: 1
From: Deep River ON
I have done the full conversion (Brembo callipers and rotors) on my 2003 Classic including adding HD stainless braided lines. Very very pleased with the results. Two finger operation and all the mushiness gone. Used stock Brembo pads as supplied by them. Trickiest part was lining up the callipers using the shims.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 976
Likes: 49
From: New York
I have done the full conversion (Brembo callipers and rotors) on my 2003 Classic including adding HD stainless braided lines. Very very pleased with the results. Two finger operation and all the mushiness gone. Used stock Brembo pads as supplied by them. Trickiest part was lining up the callipers using the shims.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 11
From: Longview, Washington
This is a very old thread. Its been years and many miles of riding since I upgraded the front brakes on my 07 RG.
I bought a used brake system off of EBay. Included the Brembo caliper and the master cylinder and rotors from the newer bike. I believe it all came off an 08.
As I remember, the stock master cylinder would not work correctly with the Brembo calipers. Also, the rotors were larger on the Brembo setup.
I bought a used brake system off of EBay. Included the Brembo caliper and the master cylinder and rotors from the newer bike. I believe it all came off an 08.
As I remember, the stock master cylinder would not work correctly with the Brembo calipers. Also, the rotors were larger on the Brembo setup.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 976
Likes: 49
From: New York
This is a very old thread. Its been years and many miles of riding since I upgraded the front brakes on my 07 RG.
I bought a used brake system off of EBay. Included the Brembo caliper and the master cylinder and rotors from the newer bike. I believe it all came off an 08.
As I remember, the stock master cylinder would not work correctly with the Brembo calipers. Also, the rotors were larger on the Brembo setup.
I bought a used brake system off of EBay. Included the Brembo caliper and the master cylinder and rotors from the newer bike. I believe it all came off an 08.
As I remember, the stock master cylinder would not work correctly with the Brembo calipers. Also, the rotors were larger on the Brembo setup.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 420
Likes: 64
From: Southern Bear Flag
I swapped over the late model Brembo brakes on my 07 Electra Glide in 2 stages and both the stock master cylinder from 07 and the master cylinder from a 14 worked(s) just fine. Youll need the rotors and of course the correct size axle for your wheel unless youre not changing it.
I swapped over just the calipers when I put on an Enforcer front wheel and ran my stock master cylinder for 6 months just fine. I then swapped over the entire front brake line setup from a 14 min-ABS Street Glide from the master cylinder down to the calipers and it all worked great and has worked perfect the last year or so.
I used DOT4 fluid in both systems FYI even though the newer system calls for DOT5.
HTH.
I swapped over just the calipers when I put on an Enforcer front wheel and ran my stock master cylinder for 6 months just fine. I then swapped over the entire front brake line setup from a 14 min-ABS Street Glide from the master cylinder down to the calipers and it all worked great and has worked perfect the last year or so.
I used DOT4 fluid in both systems FYI even though the newer system calls for DOT5.
HTH.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 976
Likes: 49
From: New York
I swapped over the late model Brembo brakes on my 07 Electra Glide in 2 stages and both the stock master cylinder from 07 and the master cylinder from a 14 worked(s) just fine. Youll need the rotors and of course the correct size axle for your wheel unless youre not changing it.
I swapped over just the calipers when I put on an Enforcer front wheel and ran my stock master cylinder for 6 months just fine. I then swapped over the entire front brake line setup from a 14 min-ABS Street Glide from the master cylinder down to the calipers and it all worked great and has worked perfect the last year or so.
I used DOT4 fluid in both systems FYI even though the newer system calls for DOT5.
HTH.
I swapped over just the calipers when I put on an Enforcer front wheel and ran my stock master cylinder for 6 months just fine. I then swapped over the entire front brake line setup from a 14 min-ABS Street Glide from the master cylinder down to the calipers and it all worked great and has worked perfect the last year or so.
I used DOT4 fluid in both systems FYI even though the newer system calls for DOT5.
HTH.
I love my red calipers but want better braking lol. Still searching out red brembos.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,620
Likes: 27,704
From: SoCal
I swapped over the late model Brembo brakes on my 07 Electra Glide in 2 stages and both the stock master cylinder from 07 and the master cylinder from a 14 worked(s) just fine. You’ll need the rotors and of course the correct size axle for your wheel unless you’re not changing it.
I swapped over just the calipers when I put on an Enforcer front wheel and ran my stock master cylinder for 6 months just fine. I then swapped over the entire front brake line setup from a 14 min-ABS Street Glide from the master cylinder down to the calipers and it all worked great and has worked perfect the last year or so.
I used DOT4 fluid in both systems FYI even though the newer system calls for DOT5.
HTH.
I swapped over just the calipers when I put on an Enforcer front wheel and ran my stock master cylinder for 6 months just fine. I then swapped over the entire front brake line setup from a 14 min-ABS Street Glide from the master cylinder down to the calipers and it all worked great and has worked perfect the last year or so.
I used DOT4 fluid in both systems FYI even though the newer system calls for DOT5.
HTH.
Last edited by 99Birdman; Aug 9, 2020 at 10:00 PM.