Topic: Can I improve my CB400F w/ CB750 front brakes ?

[grcamna2]

I just had a look on Feebay and those Katana front MC's are mainly for clubman or clip on style bars that are curved down;if I were to install them on flat bars they would look tilted.I have my flat bars. I have been looking at this pic that Psychonaut posted on here w/ the XR MC and it looks like it will work...I just hope it pushes enough volume for my 1) 38mm caliper piston.

[veloracermike]

Yeah mine are clip ons. 

[RAFster122s]

The cb550 has a single 38 mm piston caliper and it uses a 14mm master cylinder. Not great brake perf in stock form.
Many of the bikes w/external reserviors are mounted on a bracket...so, you could adjust the angle of that bracket to allow it to deal with the std handlebars.
Otherwise, you need to consider other makes of mc when looking.

Also, consider that some of the supposed "Brembo" mc on ebay are counterfeit. So, buyer be ware!

[grcamna2]

Thanks Dave...I'm looking for a good choice of MC;what would you choose ? I like to have more "push" & I think a smaller bore MC might accomplish that.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

GR,

I didn't have a chance to make it out to the garage to hunt up 550 front brake parts.  After reading the past few posts, it sounds like your design is still in a bit of flux.  Hope I'm not delaying your project.

[crazypj]

I'm running an 11mm master cyl on CB360 (same brake as 400f)
I don't have pads bedded in properly yet (only done a few hundred miles)
Brake is a bit spongy at present but I think caliper is twisting slightly?
I'll probably remove pads and file down high spots to get it working better)
It seems to move plenty of fluid

[grcamna2]

Old School,
     I appreciate your feedback and I am sure that I want your O.E. CB550 front rotor/disc if you'll sell it to me, I Know it will improve my braking performance.I am in the process of planning & have a good plan of action going, take as much time as you need;I know you have other things going on too.

crazypj,
             You're a good dude man!...I needed that confirmation from you that the 11mm MC will work for me(you ever watch "The A Team" back in the day?... "I love it when a plan comes together"!!) and I look forward to completely getting my bike's brakes as good as I can afford.I want to have good suspension and good brakes;lots of different folks out there behind the wheel of "killer" 2 ton 4 wheeled machines...and I want to keep out a' there path of travel...if you know what I mean!! I think HorsePower is excellent...but to me, Stopping & Handling are even better.
                              Thanks folks  this sohc4 forum is Awesome+ w/ Great feedback !

[Psychonaut]

grcamna2, I found a few threads with KLR's. They have a single 38mm caliper and a 1/2" master (12.7mm). They think there brakes are wooden, LOL, they should try a 14mm. Anyway they are below if you want to read what they had to say.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-733815.html

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666336

There's a few Triumphs with 11mm masters too. Some have 1" bars. The Thunderbird sport is larger than 11mm.

http://www.triumphrat.net/hinckley-classic-triples/190284-which-front-brake-master-cylinder-for-900-thunderbird.html
7/8 bar list
http://www.biker-discount.co.uk/legend-tt-900-handle-bar-risers-30mm-for-triumph-78-22mm-bars-black-or-alloy-2072-p.asp

[grcamna2]

I was looking on Feebay & noticed a front MC for a 1995' XR650L...do you think that would be a good choice ? I can't find any specs on it...but it could be an 11mm.

[grcamna2]

Yeah, it seems that 95' XR650L MC is what I'll go for when I can find a good one.

[grcamna2]

Has anyone tried fitting a different Honda caliper ? or how about improving the O.E. caliper & pads to grip better ?

[RAFster122s]

From mwy searches and reading the only choice you have is to go to dual discs, keep your pads and rotors deglazed as routine mtce and use good quality EBC pads. Drilling the rotors helps in wet conditions and some believe also in dry.  Otherwise, you are looking at different forks or custom brackets for other calipers; if you can find any that fit in limited space and would work with stock rotors.

You have to accept them for what they are and drive accordingly or spend the money and time to improve them. There are no cheap quick fixes.  Question becomes is your life worth the extra $$??

[grcamna2]

Thanks RAF

[grcamna2]

Is it possible to adapt a more powerful caliper to my CB400F? or am I stuck w/ O.E. ?? also wondered if anyone tried to put a stock(33mm)size right fork tube on to mount dual calipers ?

[Psychonaut]

You could do with a larger bore caliper but it would be easier to do the smaller master. I bought a 11mm master on Ebay last week.  I'll let you know how it goes when it comes. If it is too much brake I'll try a 1/2".   I saw that XS650's use 35mm forks. You can use a 550 triple. They make larger brake kits for those bikes. http://650central.com/

[crazypj]

You can't have too much brake 
It's just learning to use it
I fitted early Suzuki Katana calipers (pre 98) to my XS (4 pot instead of 2 on slider)
You can also get emulators 'cheap' from Mikes XS is you use 650 Yam forks with 500/550/750 yokes
I've also fitted early CX500 forks (33mm) into 400f to use dual disc

[Psychonaut]

You can't have too much brake 
It's just learning to use it

True, I should have said too much lever pressure or too sensitive. There is a sweet spot and that's what I'm looking for.

[grcamna2]

crazypj,
      You said early CX500 are 33mm?? will they run dual calipers,one for each side ?

[crazypj]

sliding calipers, one each side behind fork leg.
 May be difficult to find a decent set, thye will be pretty old by now.
 CB400 twin used same forks, the 'Eurosport' had dual disc IIRC?