Author Topic: narrow springer front end disc brake conversion  (Read 4799 times)

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efyou

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narrow springer front end disc brake conversion
« on: August 24, 2009, 09:18:07 AM »
I have a 70s narrow springer front end with a mini drum brake setup.  I want to convert from the mini drum to 11 1/2 inch disc.  Most springers have a threaded hole in the rear springer tube to attach the clevis from the caliper mount.  My springer has no existing hole.  Can I use a clamp type fitting to attach the clevis to the springer tube?  Are there conversion "kits" available?.   

Offline Geeto67

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Re: narrow springer front end disc brake conversion
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2009, 09:27:50 AM »
depends on whose springer it is, but generally there are no conversion kits. I have a jammer narrow springer on the cb550 and it has a threaded bung on the inside leg. I have seen clamp mounts in the past and all I can say about those is I don't see why they wouldn't work but you better make sure your hardware is up to snuff. Some springer legs (espically on the narrow ones) are oval or flat so I don't know where you would get a clamp to fit - it is probably better to have a machinist make you one so you get a perfect fit.

Is your springer a dampened springer or does it just have a bunch of springs and that is it? mine has no shock and one thing I have noticed is that any brake more powerful than the mini drum tends to cause the front wheel to skip along the pavement under braking on uneven surfaces. Also there is a lot of flex that get introduced with a real brake on a long thin narrow springer.

do you have a pic of the springer? if it is the one in the pic you have it looks like you have a girder front end.
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Offline Geeto67

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Re: narrow springer front end disc brake conversion
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2009, 12:32:37 PM »
a couple of other things I thought about when I had the time...

the longer the springer the less advisable it is to put a "real" brake on it because it may twist and deflect under some road conditions during braking.

also, some of the really skinny springers don't have enough room for a disc wheel. My own jammer won't take a disc brake wheel because there is not enough room. 
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