Topic: simple brake improvements

[1974blaze]

i'm curious, and not knowing much i hope this isn't a stupid question. 

can you use a larger master cylinder connected to a stock cb750 set up and get the thing to stop faster?

if possible, would id damage the caliper/rotor?

thanks all

[TwoTired]

Have you switched to SS brake lines yet?

[1974blaze]

you mean stainless? no, what would that do? better volume.?

[taymoor]

Ya... How does that help? I thought it just looked good.

[ev0lve]

Doesn't expand under pressure. But they do look good too 

[martino1972]

poor guy just came new to the forum and already you guy's are giving short answers........TT,I'm used to reading 1000+ letter responses from you....

welcome to the forum,1974blaze.......it's a blaze...um blast here on the forum....wicked humor,great advise,awesome bunch of people.....

[FunJimmy]

There are many things that can be performed to improve the braking of mid ‘70’s motorcycles. As you have seen posted, changing to a stainless steel braided brake line can improve braking efficiency by increasing the pressure rating of the hydraulic brake line. A higher pressure rating will reduce fluid pressure losses at the caliper.

Another approach is to modify the leverage ratio by adjusting the master cylinder piston size compared to the caliper piston size. A hydraulic system is essentially a fluid based lever. The difference between the master cylinder piston and the caliper piston it essentially the lever ratio.

Here are a couple of articles that are worth a look: http://science.howstuffworks.com/pulley1.htm and http://science.howstuffworks.com/hydraulic1.htm

You should be able to measure the existing master cylinder piston and adjust to improve feel, modulation and overall power.

Good luck
FJ

[TwoTired]

you mean stainless? no, what would that do? better volume.?

No.  The original hoses are rubber with woven fabric embedded in them to reduce expansion.  The constant pressure cycles eventually fatigue the materials and reduce their rigidity.  The result is that some of the pressure applied goes to expanding the hose rather the moving the pad against the rotor to increase friction.

Replacing with stainless steel braided hose, makes nearly all the pressure developed in the master cylinder to be transferred entirely to the caliper piston, resulting in better brakes.

Replacing 30 year old fatigued rubber hoses with SS makes a large difference in braking power.  I could squall the front tire on my 550's in a panic stop on asphalt.  I believe that is better that locking the front tire.  Still have to use four fingers on the lever, though.  If you insist on having one finger brakes, you'll have to swap out the whole system with modern components with multi-piston calipers.

Cheers,

[Buber]

Replacing 30 year old fatigued rubber hoses with SS makes a large difference in braking power.

That's an undertstement. It makes HUGE difference, and it's well worth it. With SS lines I can ride with two fingers on the lever, and be able to pull a quick stop.

[lordmoonpie]

+1 to that - if you take TT's comments to the extreme, some rubber hoses can fatigue in spots and when you pull the lever you actually blow a bubble out of the side of the brake line. It's quite funny to watch but only when you're not riding!

SS brake lines will be the cheapest most effective single upgrade you can do to old brakes....

[1974blaze]

well!  ok gents, now that's some good stuff.  it seems i've come to the right place.  thanks to all, i will be making the switch asap and will let you know how she turns out.  will also read the article on cylinder ratios and see where that leads. 

[ev0lution7]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=51179.0

there you gooo