Front Caliper Opinions Wanted
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
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Front Caliper Opinions Wanted
I have an 09 Streetglide and am looking to install chrome forks, a set of chrome wheels and I would like to change the calipers and brake lines as well, to chrome it all out. In addition I will install the HD chrome master cylinder as well.
I have spent hours looking at pictures of customized bikes for ideas on wheel selection etc, but the one thing I notice is that very few people who do similar mods install the chrome HD Brembo calipers. The majority seem to go with Performance Machine, Hawg Halter or some brand of aftermarket chrome calipers.
Can I have some thoughts and opinions as to why this is, and some first hand experiences with these mods.
I am not too knowledgeable about the specific technicalities of the different brands of brake calipers (differential bores, serviceability, rebuild etc) other than that the number of pistons provide more or less braking performance.
I am not looking to go to a single rotor setup, I am going to retain the dual front brakes with ABS.
I have searched these forums but have not really found what I am looking for, and a few of threads that looked promising went off in the wrong direction.
thanks in advance!
I have spent hours looking at pictures of customized bikes for ideas on wheel selection etc, but the one thing I notice is that very few people who do similar mods install the chrome HD Brembo calipers. The majority seem to go with Performance Machine, Hawg Halter or some brand of aftermarket chrome calipers.
Can I have some thoughts and opinions as to why this is, and some first hand experiences with these mods.
I am not too knowledgeable about the specific technicalities of the different brands of brake calipers (differential bores, serviceability, rebuild etc) other than that the number of pistons provide more or less braking performance.
I am not looking to go to a single rotor setup, I am going to retain the dual front brakes with ABS.
I have searched these forums but have not really found what I am looking for, and a few of threads that looked promising went off in the wrong direction.
thanks in advance!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
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From: Minnesota
I would stay with Brembos - I used to see a lot of people upgrading to aftermarket calipers from the pre-Brembo calipers because they were at most mediocre and PM and Hawg Halters not only looked better but functioned better.
Brembos are used by many high end car manufactures and in racing sports. It seems to me the Brembo "owns" high end braking technology. That's my impression anyway, I have never run aftermarket calipers so I don't have direct experience in this regard.
Brembos are used by many high end car manufactures and in racing sports. It seems to me the Brembo "owns" high end braking technology. That's my impression anyway, I have never run aftermarket calipers so I don't have direct experience in this regard.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 477
From: Southwest VA
I would stay with Brembos - I used to see a lot of people upgrading to aftermarket calipers from the pre-Brembo calipers because they were at most mediocre and PM and Hawg Halters not only looked better but functioned better.
Brembos are used by many high end car manufactures and in racing sports. It seems to me the Brembo "owns" high end braking technology. That's my impression anyway, I have never run aftermarket calipers so I don't have direct experience in this regard.
Brembos are used by many high end car manufactures and in racing sports. It seems to me the Brembo "owns" high end braking technology. That's my impression anyway, I have never run aftermarket calipers so I don't have direct experience in this regard.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
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From: North Cental Iowa
If you want to keep your ABS working properly I'd stay with the Brembos, as stated above they are very high quality & work very well. The ABS system is designed with those calipers & will work best with them. I have the silver SE Brembos & like that look, got them on Ebay for around $300 with pads, quite a bit less $ than chrome but still a custom look. You can then sell your stock calipers for $100-200 to someone that wants to upgrade their pre 08 bike to Brembos.
Last edited by DTTJGlide; Nov 22, 2010 at 08:07 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks for your advice guys.
I never considered the ABS issue as I figured that the calipers only apply the squeeze. The hydraulic pressure is controlled by the ABS unit based on input from the wheel sensors. My assumption was that any caliper will respond the same in that regard.
I never considered the ABS issue as I figured that the calipers only apply the squeeze. The hydraulic pressure is controlled by the ABS unit based on input from the wheel sensors. My assumption was that any caliper will respond the same in that regard.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
If you haven't already done so, contact the vendors you are considering and ask your questions of them; e.g. compatability with ABS.
As for HD's Brembos, HD doesn't offer a rebuild kit for the calipers, though there was a thread a few weeks ago with a website for a vendor offering rebuild kits (essentially the seals) for the HD Brembo calipers.
Member Fast Harley is very knowledgeable about brakes and suspensions; shoot him a PM and see what he has to say.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
As for HD's Brembos, HD doesn't offer a rebuild kit for the calipers, though there was a thread a few weeks ago with a website for a vendor offering rebuild kits (essentially the seals) for the HD Brembo calipers.
Member Fast Harley is very knowledgeable about brakes and suspensions; shoot him a PM and see what he has to say.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
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What did you end up doing? I'm having a similar dilemma but am coming at it from the other end of the tunnel. I set out to change my bars, which lead to cleaning things up and wanting Performance Machines controls and switches. This lead to the problem that PM doesn't make a 15mm m/c (master cylinder) as my ABS Brembo's are. So it is looking like I might have to get PM calipers that I am not ready for. Maybe even rotor, wheel, and fender too. Ahhhhh...Dam domino effect!!!
Anyway, I'm thinking single sided 13 inch rotor with 6 piston PM's. I'd love for someone to tell me this has been tested to be ATLEAST as much stopping power as stock ABS.
Anyway, I'm thinking single sided 13 inch rotor with 6 piston PM's. I'd love for someone to tell me this has been tested to be ATLEAST as much stopping power as stock ABS.
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