Author Topic: Best option for a single brake on a 550?  (Read 1278 times)

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Offline JZEROE

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Best option for a single brake on a 550?
« on: April 19, 2008, 12:10:39 PM »
I know everyone is sick of talking about dual discs, so here's a change of tack: I've decided I DON'T want dual discs up front. I'm thinking that the unsprung weight penalty would make the bike less fun to ride: one of the things I like so much about it is how fun it is in the twisties.

So what about a single disc up front? Does anyone have any experience putting a big brembo caliper or something on their front wheel? Anyone know of a good upgrade I could do without having to lose my wire wheels?
'75 CB400F
'76 CB750K - Project Freebike

Offline kghost

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Re: Best option for a single brake on a 550?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2008, 04:09:01 PM »
Well I don't have a 500/550 so I don't know how big the piston is.

Stranger in a strange land

Offline kayaker43

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Re: Best option for a single brake on a 550?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2008, 04:16:39 PM »
CB750 disc and caliper bolt right on. It has a bigger and wider disc The odd caliper mount means no modern calipers will fit so you would have to find period aftermarket brakes.

I agree, everything doesn't need dual discs. On my old roadracer I ran a single disc with two calipers and an "anti dive" linkage. It could lift the rear wheel and the forks retained full travel under braking. Nothing you could buy,.. all hand made.

Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Best option for a single brake on a 550?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2008, 04:49:31 PM »
I've decided I DON'T want dual discs up front. I'm thinking that the unsprung weight penalty would make the bike less fun to ride: one of the things I like so much about it is how fun it is in the twisties.

So what about a single disc up front? Does anyone have any experience putting a big brembo caliper or something on their front wheel? Anyone know of a good upgrade I could do without having to lose my wire wheels?

I totally agree with you on the single disc and wire wheels. That’s why I went to such lengths to keep the period look and feel on my project bike.

It’s quite a bit more than you are considering but give it a look.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Jimmy
You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!

CB550 Cafe Interceptor a Gentlemans Roadster
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Offline EdB

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Re: Best option for a single brake on a 550?
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2008, 07:52:40 PM »
But thence came the Great Schism, when the two like tribes diverged, and the Bobbers did take the Road to Cruiserdom and the Cafe Racers did ride to Sportbikedom and they did pollute the lands along their paths with their abominable spawn of Choppers, Stuntaz and like manner of unholy douchebaggery

Offline merc2dogs

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Re: Best option for a single brake on a 550?
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2008, 10:15:33 PM »
Should be able to make those fit. Some cardboard for working out a mock-up, Good chunk of aluminum, a drill and coping saw and you could have a bracket made up in a couple hours.
 If you have access to machinary even less time.

  Depending on the care you use, it could be made to look factory.

 Once put disk brakes on a ranger 7.5" rear axle (for mudding) using half inch aluminum plate, power tools at the time were limited to a drill and a belt sander. spent two hours per side on the brackets
 
 Clamp the calipers to the disk where you want them to sit using a couple wooden shims between disk and pad (to center caliper), then use cardboard to make up a bracket to connect the caliper mounts to the bracket mounts on the fork. For the vertical pivot a plate on the backside works well, just use through bolts, don't just tap the aluminum and expect it to hold. can be made as elaborate or as plain as you want.
 
Ken.

Offline EdB

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Re: Best option for a single brake on a 550?
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2008, 06:28:38 AM »
if i can find one cheap i might try. not for increased stopping but because i think the stock caliper is soooo ugly  ;)
But thence came the Great Schism, when the two like tribes diverged, and the Bobbers did take the Road to Cruiserdom and the Cafe Racers did ride to Sportbikedom and they did pollute the lands along their paths with their abominable spawn of Choppers, Stuntaz and like manner of unholy douchebaggery