Author Topic: No front brakes? (Read 10329 times)

Lostboy Steve · « **on:** June 06, 2012, 11:54:53 AM »

A while back there was some controversy about the risks of running without a front brake. More and more I see this trend growing. I enjoy a good set of front brakes, but it seems as though it may be becoming an acquired taste. I saw this out of the corner of my eye while cruising down the magazine section at my local wallgreens.

MCRider · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2012, 12:05:54 PM »

If your motorcycle is a design or art exercize, then fine. That's the difference. I see a bike like that I give the builder the benefit of the doubt that there is no serious expectation of being streetable.

No way can a rational person justify no front brake, or putting bicycle play brakes on a motorcycle to be deemed practical. There is no argument for it without the qualification, I don't care if i die or not.

Anyone taking a counter opinion is an idiot. And you know I don't toss around such language lightly.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2012, 12:13:32 PM »

+1. Idiot for going sans front brake if you are serious about actually riding the bike, especially if the rear is a drum.

phil71 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2012, 12:18:22 PM »

My bobber has no brakes, but I wear steel bottomed shoes, and I have an anchor tied to the frame that I just throw.

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2012, 03:53:18 PM »

Wow - I remember one member got chewed up and spit out for building and selling a bike without a front brake.

Some may think it looks cool, but not streetable. Personally, I like brakes!

Bailgang · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2012, 03:58:35 PM »

I like the "look" of a bike just as much as anybody else but I'm a function first guy so it has to function first THEN look good.

HondanutRider · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2012, 04:10:18 PM »

A lot of "younger" riders may not know or heard what was typically thought in the "early" days of riding. It was often believed and even taught, that the front brake was to be avoided... even feared. If it was applied too hard and locked, (easy to do on wooden drum brakes of that era) then a disastrous outcome was likely to occur. Many riders only used the rear brake, and if it locked then a slide was easier to control and keep upright.

Of course, this was well before the CB750 that had the first production disc front brake.

750K · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2012, 04:21:39 PM »

I know a few chopper builders that build fairly "period correct" choppers, some without front brakes. I think it just goes back to the nostalgic dirty biker period of motorcycles etc, which I can appreciate. That being said I'd never own a bike without a front brake, traffic has changed out in the streets since the 60's & 70's. I think I'll just keep the brake that I get 75%+ of my stopping power from.

cben750f0 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2012, 04:41:03 PM »

I go to great lengths to make sure that my brakes are the best they can be, I added VTR1000 sp2 calipers to my firestorm, and tokico 6 pots to my cbr, and a double disc set up on my F, and anyone that tries to seriously argue that they can build a bike with lil to no front breaks, is a Darwin award waiting to happen. Simple

peAce

Sent from my T9296 using Board Express

SohRon · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2012, 04:56:06 PM »

Quote

I know a few chopper builders that build fairly "period correct" choppers, some without front brakes. I think it just goes back to the nostalgic dirty biker period of motorcycles etc, which I can appreciate.

killersoundz · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2012, 07:19:03 PM »

It's pretty simple. If you ride a chopper without a front brake, you have to ride it gracefully. No sport bike #$%*. If you don't know your limits, plan on going down. The guys I know that roll without a front brake drive pretty conservative

MCRider · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2012, 07:27:56 PM »

Quote from: SohRon on June 06, 2012, 04:56:06 PM

Quote
I know a few chopper builders that build fairly "period correct" choppers, some without front brakes. I think it just goes back to the nostalgic dirty biker period of motorcycles etc, which I can appreciate.

I loved Easy Rider. Saw it when it came out and at least 3 times since. Loved the scene where Capn America throws his watch on the ground and runs over it with his chopper. Reprised by Fonda in the epic "Wild Hogs".

There was a Capn America bike replica at the Eiteljorg "Steel Ponies" exhibit I went to see last week.

http://www.fox59.com/video/photos/wxin-steel-ponies-motorcycle-exhibit-20120314,0,4436996.photogallery

But i digress. It was never lost on me that in virtually every shot of Easy Rider, the bikes were going painfully slow. Think it had something to do with no brakes. I know Billie's bike had a front, but still pretty pitiful.

bryanj · « **Reply #12 on:** June 06, 2012, 10:28:05 PM »

Here in UK you gotta have 2 seperate brakes by law

Motoguy23 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 07, 2012, 12:39:14 AM »

I'm currently running my cb550 without a front brake. But its not a style thing, its a "just want to get riding, I'll fix it later" kinda thing

I put a drum brake from a CL360 on my bike but then sold it and bought stuff to do the dual disk conversion but could never get the damn thing to work (pistons wouldn't retract). and so I just took it all off. I've been meaning to put another drum on the front but haven't had the spare cash to do it.

I rarely hot rod around town and usually keep a good distance from the car ahead of me.

HondanutRider · « **Reply #14 on:** June 07, 2012, 05:14:22 AM »

Quote from: bryanj on June 06, 2012, 10:28:05 PM

Here in UK you gotta have 2 seperate brakes by law

Same thing here in Ontario, Canada.

As quoted in the "Highway Traffic Act:

Motorcycle or motor assisted bicycle

(2) Every motorcycle or motor assisted bicycle when being driven on a highway shall be equipped with at least two braking systems each with a separate means of application with one effective on the front wheel and one effective on the rear wheel.

70CB750 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2012, 05:59:29 AM »

My first CZ had drum brakes front and back. You had to really mean it to stop fast

Could be similar behaviour to rear disc only

singedebile · « **Reply #16 on:** June 07, 2012, 09:47:34 AM »

Quote from: Bailgang on June 06, 2012, 03:58:35 PM

I like the "look" of a bike just as much as anybody else but I'm a function first guy so it has to function first THEN look good.

I believe function is what looks good, and when you dont have a front brake the bike looks stupid

singedebile · « **Reply #17 on:** June 07, 2012, 09:50:43 AM »

and if anyone wants to read the story behind the guy that built that bike for easy rider:
http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2012/01/uneasy-rider-cliff-vaughs-story.html

crazypj · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2012, 10:22:53 AM »

Personally, even for 'period correct' choppers I think it's a dumb idea to EVER run a street bike without a front brake
I would ride without a rear brake (in fact I have, didn't even know it wasn't working)
But, I couldn't ride without good front brake
I've converted most of my bikes to use dual disc with better calipers

Bob750 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2012, 10:28:46 AM »

AFAIK, flat trackers lack a front brake. I thought that might be it, but then, that bike in the photo has a headlight, which a flat tracker would not have.... I can't imagine riding on the street without my front brakes.

grachman · « **Reply #20 on:** June 07, 2012, 10:44:41 AM »

Cruising through the countryside on a chopper with no front brake...no big deal.
Speeding through the streets of Los Angeles with no front brake...you're attempting suicide.

Hey, Bob...I'm in Long Beach, too.

TwoTired · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2012, 10:48:21 AM »

Quote from: grachman on June 07, 2012, 10:44:41 AM

Cruising through the countryside on a chopper with no front brake...no big deal.
Speeding through the streets of Los Angeles with no front brake...you're attempting suicide.

No one is gonna see you "stylin" out in the countryside.

70CB750 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 07, 2012, 10:59:32 AM »

Countryside is not necesarilly safe. It depends on the deer and minivan population in the area.

MCRider · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2012, 11:10:30 AM »

I'm biting my lip as its not good form on a forum to get personal. I'll just clarify my definition of "streetable". That mean's on any street, anywhere, at any time.

Please don't do it. (ride on a street with no front brake).

TwoTired · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2012, 11:15:43 AM »

Was it Darwin that said natural selection will eventually lower the no-front-brake-population, leaving mostly the have-front-brake-motorcycle-riders?

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Author Topic: No front brakes? (Read 10329 times)