Topic: Brembo caliper: Who's gonna be the first?

[Scott S]

 Has anyone figured out a way to do a swap like this on the CB?

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18014

 On the XS, there are two sizes of forks, 34 and 35mm. This swap can be done on both, mounting the caliper to the front or rear of the fork depepnding on model.
 I've collected the parts to do it on my XS but haven't started yet (Winter project). They weren't that expensive, either.

 Has anyone done anything similar for the CB's?

[Terry in Australia]

I've seen plenty of CB750's that have had brackets welded on for period Lockheed, Brembo and Hurst calipers for Post Classic racers here in Oz.

It's not real hard to do, but if you're going to go to the trouble of grafting modern 4 or 6 piston calipers onto our old bikes, then you may as well pony up the dough and install some better forks while you're at it. Cheers, Terry.

[bwaller]

I have a 12mm Brembo master and these older "period" F05's

[754]

 This will be very easy to do if you change the front fork to 77/78 750F model, or a GL early fork...

[Scott S]

 Why is that?

[Greggo]

I barely missed out on this piece...I think my max bid was $180

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110871721601?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[Terry in Australia]

Why is that?

Because they already have lugs to mount calipers, or adapter plates on. The earlier forks don't. Cheers, Terry.

[Scott S]

 I should probably know this, but will they fit the 500/550 triple trees?

[fishhead]

  Has anyone done anything similar for the CB's?

With the CB forks? No, I made 1 prototype and the width of the CB forks made it harder than it would be to do with "better" forks (ie=GL)
 With the GL forks (and other forks), Many times...although not with too may Brembo calipers. Brembos are heavier than needed.

Photobucket slide show (Fishhead Big Brakes)
http://s111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/dgfischer/Fishhead%20Big%20BRakes/?albumview=slideshow

Like TIA says, The mounts on the(GL) fork legs make it "easier" to do.

[Terry in Australia]

Why would you know that mate, most guys here wouldn't? Anyway, yep, the F2/3 forks have 35mm tubes, so they'll fit your triples, which will have the same spacing as CB750 triples, so the axle from your wheel will be the same too.

You'll need to work out what caliper/disc combo's you're gonna use, the CB750/500/550 etc discs are big heavy baastards and 10mm thick, so may be too thick for the Brembo (or whatever) calipers. You might need to locate some thinner discs with the right offset to suit, and you'll probably need to make up new axle spacers.

Another problem that you're gonna have is spacing the discs out from the wheel so the back of the calipers don't hit the spokes. Brembo's (and every other opposed piston calipers) are much wider than our single piston calipers, so will definitely hit your spokes if you don't move the discs away from them.

As you can see from the pics of Brent Waller's beautiful 550 it's do-able, but will involve some engineering, and a little head scratching. The GL forks (and triples) make it much easier. Cheers, Terry.    

[scottly]

Another problem that you're gonna have is spacing the discs out from the wheel so the back of the calipers don't hit the spokes. Brembo's (and every other opposed piston calipers) are much wider than our single piston calipers, so will definitely hit your spokes if you don't move the discs away from them.

1+ I was looking at some 6 pot calipers, and the inside would have hit the Morris mag spokes. I don't think there is enough room on the narrow CB front end to move the discs more than a few mm.

[Scott S]

You'll need to work out what caliper/disc combo's you're gonna use, the CB750/500/550 etc discs are big heavy baastards and 10mm thick, so may be too thick for the Brembo (or whatever) calipers. You might need to locate some thinner discs with the right offset to suit, and you'll probably need to make up new axle spacers.

Another problem that you're gonna have is spacing the discs out from the wheel so the back of the calipers don't hit the spokes. Brembo's (and every other opposed piston calipers) are much wider than our single piston calipers, so will definitely hit your spokes if you don't move the discs away from them.

 I just measured my XS650 rotor: 7.2mm
 CB500/550 rotors : 6.9mm

 Pandemonium Choppers has a vid and instructions on how/where to trim the Brembo caliper to clear the XS spokes. It's not much and not hard to do.

 Looks like some other forks and it's doable.

[Terry in Australia]

+ another 1 Scott, although you can ease the pain somewhat by using the largest OD, thinnest discs that you can find to move the calipers up and away from the spokes, and space them out from the hub around 10mm either side, which is about as far as you can go. I was surprised that the FZR1000 triples on my gold K2 are only around 20mm wider than stock CB750 items, so it is do-able, but be prepared for other problems like spacing out the speedo drive so the cable can still be used. Cheers, Terry.

[Terry in Australia]

Pandemonium Choppers has a vid and instructions on how/where to trim the Brembo caliper to clear the XS spokes. It's not much and not hard to do.

 Looks like some other forks and it's doable.

Is there a link for the vid mate?

[754]

 Thanks Terry, I should add;
 Mounting to the GL or F mounts involves flat plate and maybe spacers.. This mean you can do most of it with a drill press, transfer punches, taps, saw files, and maybe a stick & a carrot.. maybe get a few small spacers machined.. but pretty simple..
 Mounting on a K fork is more like milling machine, or milling attachment on lathe type of work, or shall I say .."addsuprealfast" ...
if you dont have machinery territory..

[Scott S]

Pandemonium Choppers has a vid and instructions on how/where to trim the Brembo caliper to clear the XS spokes. It's not much and not hard to do.

 Looks like some other forks and it's doable.

Is there a link for the vid mate?

Pandemonium Brake Kit(c) How to install on XS650

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks mate, that looks simple!

[Psychonaut]

I used a Tokico caliper and Brembo rotor for a ZX6 with an 11mm MC. I couldn't be happier with it.

[Terry in Australia]

That's a great looking little 400 mate, good job!