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Offline Hondell

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How firm are your brakes
« on: November 09, 2007, 08:17:05 AM »
So I've got 4 72 Cb750's, all with rebuilt brakes and properly bled. All of them are sort of spongy. So my question is this... are these brakes capable of "THUNK" hard feel at the lever?  My rubber lines have not been replaced so they may be expanding somewhat adding to the spongieness. Please tell me your stories.
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2007, 08:27:16 AM »
New stainless lines sure hardened mine up.  Don't expect to do stopies with them though.
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2007, 08:50:17 AM »
Quote from: Hondell on November 09, 2007, 08:17:05 AM
So my question is this... are these brakes capable of "THUNK" hard feel at the lever? 

Yes, with SS braided lines, a free moving caliper piston, and a firm master cylinder piston seal.  Also, if you want the "thunk" engagement, remove the nylon ring between caliper piston and brake pad.  I might want a harder brake pad composition, too.

Cheers,
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2007, 09:22:11 AM »
You will never get a stoppie out of these brakes. Honda may have actually been afraid of that happening. You must think of a brakes as a system. If you have a worn MC you will get a bit better feel with an SS line. I had a caliper rebuilt when I first got the bike so that was 100%. The brakes were OK. I went to an SS line and it got a bit better. I completely rebuilt the MC since it sprung a leak. That made the package complete and I now have very good stopping power.     
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Offline Hondell

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2007, 10:49:39 AM »
I really wasn't expecting "stoppies" just a distinct hard feel.
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2007, 12:35:31 PM »
My brakes now begin to react to a 2/3" handle travel. Before i would have the handle halfway to the grip before I felt them come on. Which I think is what you are looking for. I was shocked at how much gunk was in the piston bore of the MC. I expected none since I replace my fluid yearly.   
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Offline andy750

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2007, 02:46:50 PM »
I have a 72 and 74 CB750 - replaced brake lines with stainless steel lines (HEL-USA), rebuilt M/C and new piston seal - huge difference -nice firm front brake as others have reported. Not like a modern bike of course but a big improvement over 30+ year old rubber.

Good luck
Andy
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eldar

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2007, 05:55:25 PM »
I must have good brakes then. I dont get stoppies of course but I move the lever about .5 to 1 inch and I get brake action that is noticeable. All stock except for a HEL line. I also use synthetic fluid.
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Offline mkramer1121

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2007, 06:00:34 PM »
SS lines, GL1000 front end, new pistons...I wouldn't be surprised if I could do a stoppy on the cafe once its road worthy (its an ongoing joke amongst a number of local Honda guys)....

On the 550, w/ SS lines and a new piston, it stops better, but I would not trust just the front to do a quick stop in traffic...
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Offline Sam Green Racing

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2007, 06:03:44 PM »
The CR has twin discs and stainless Goodridge hoses. It does stoppies but only little ones ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sam. ;)
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2007, 07:51:39 PM »
When I went to SS lines I saw an immediate improvement in handle response. I did start to notice after year that the last bit of braking at a few MPH it did not stop the bike comepletely. Ultimately I got a leak back in the MC. I expect the SS line helped me create a higher pressure during braking. The extra pressure probably was more than the old MC parts could handle. That is why I rebuilt MC, now I have the whole system up to snuff. Work good. I use both brakes as a mater of course. I can stop the bike pretty quick even at 70 MPH. I actually practice braking on quiet roads. I need braking and swerving to become second nature as a survival tool.
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Offline MRieck

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2007, 08:16:53 PM »
Quote from: SamCR750 on November 09, 2007, 06:03:44 PM
The CR has twin discs and stainless Goodridge hoses. It does stoppies but only little ones ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sam. ;)
Mine are mint....ask Andy. ;)
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Offline Loudpipe

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2007, 08:43:29 PM »
Mine are spongie as hell.  If you squeeze hard on them though it'll stop as quick as I need it to, probably coming up just short of a stoppie.  The rear brake, however, is a bit of a joke.  I'm not even entirely sure it would lock the rear, but that's just fine with me...naturally occuring safety measures, you know.
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Offline cben750f0

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2007, 10:11:34 PM »
i went the double disc set up, with stainless lines, VTR1000 master cyl, and mine still feels a bit spongy, but if you got the lever anywhere near the bars the front would be locked..... and as two tied said, get rid of the nylon spacer, that will remove the compression, also check tht you havent got too much free play in you brake pivot arm...

hope this helps

peace
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Offline PJ

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Re: How firm are your brakes
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2007, 10:29:10 PM »
I just kind of pretend I have ABS ::)
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