O.K. think about this:
These specs are right from Harley Davidson.

A 2007 Street Glide FLHX has a dry weight of 733 LBS. and with oil, gas, etc. 770 LBS.

A 2007 Heritage FLSTC has a dry weight of 725 LBS and with oil, gas, etc. 750 LBS.

A 2007 Fatboy FLSTF has a dry weight of 694 LBS and with oil, gas, etc. 714 LBS.

"All" 3 of these bikes utilize a the "same" left side caliper. Part# 44046-00D
"All" 3 of these bikes utilize the same front left rotor disc. Part # 44156-00
"All" 3 of these bikes have a 11 1/2" rotor disc.

Between the 2007 Heritage and the 2007 Street Glide there is a difference of 20 LBS.
A 2007 Fatboy with a set of hard bags and a outer shell batwing fairing as alot of guys put on now has a difference of approximately 10-20 LBS compared to the Street glide.

Now can anyone tell me how a 20 LBS difference on a single disc and caliper Street Glide will not stop as well as a Heritage or a bagged Fatboy?
Harley Davidson figures a Average Solo rider is 160-200 LBS. as per their site.
Keep in mind I have a 21" Billet light weight wheel and a ligher Avon front tire. This set up is alot lighter than the stock set up.

Any and all info will be appreciated. You won't offend me.
I know there is alot of discussion on this and other sites about dropping a right brake set up on a touring model but this info should shed light on it.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
scarabsport1@comcast.net

 

6 piston if you do

 

the point is:

more stopping power is better.

more pad area, more pistons means that there is more friction generated over a larger area and less heat split between 2 rotors.


either set up will probably allow front wheel lock up the first application, but will the single disc still have stopping power after 30 turns in a 31 turn canyon ?


Mike

 

Are the master cylinders piston size the same? Maybe the 21" front doesn't have as much "footprint" as the others and therefore less grip to be able to stop as quickly. (the others are both 16 inch, correct?) Is the 21" front wheel changing the geomtry of the bike and you're not getting the weight transfer to the front as stock. Just throwing stuff out there off the top of my head.

 

Ive always had better stopping power and control with two rotors over one. Once you've gone to two rotors you will never go back to one.

 

I get where your commin from. Yes you are correct, it should stop just as good. But still only half as good as it did with 2 rotors! I deleted my right caliper yesterday so I hear what your screamin.

 

I agree,.... the stock dual rotor and caliper setup on a Street Glide is better but, I think it is over braked compared to the stock single rotor setup of the Heritage and Fatboy in the same weight class.
The only thing that is lacking is the tire foot print of the narrow tire on a 21'' wheel.
Thanks,
Dan

 

Are all three using the same brake pads? The same brake levers? There are a lot of variables to take into consideration. Are all the systems bled properly? (no air in the system) Are the brake lines in good shape? (no mushiness)

 

"All" 3 bikes are figured as new 2007 Harley Davidsons and all quality control specs are met. They all have the same part number for pads also. Part#44082-00D.

 

I think you are going to do what you want for cosmetic reasons. You would like to to justify it as no reduction in performance. Sorry, any calculations, testing or study will say that two are better than one.
You could use bikes with drum brakes as an example (still legal to ride them on the roads). You could probably remove the front brakes completely and still stop just as well as they do.