Topic: aftermarket brake options?

[jason41987]

one of the pieces missing from my bike when i purchased it ('76 CB550F) was the front brake caliper... the front brake disc looks good, but no caliper... should i replace this with a CB550 caliper, or would i be better off with something aftermarket, still in production?

on another note... i was considering removing the rear drum brake in favor of a rear disc, but wasnt sure if this would be worth the work or not to run front and rear discs

[andrewk]

The easiest solution would be to buy a used caliper and rebuild it if need be. The parts to rebuild these calipers are easy to get, and if you need a new caliper piston (common problem) there are Phonelic aftermarket versions available for less than the cost of a new steel piston. Member godffery sells them.

If you wanted to adapt modern front brakes, that can be done too, but it requires a fair amount of fabrication.

[jason41987]

at some point id like to upgrade front and rear brakes, but i dont think its enough of a priority now, ill probably buy a used caliper, clean it up, powder coat it, rebuild it, and put it on... the brake disc on the front wheel looks like its still good too... havent opened up the rear drum yet though

[dave500]

the 500 and 550 caliper are the same.

[jason41987]

seems almost everything on the 500 and 550s the same

[dave500]

they share a lot of parts,the later 550 get more different,you know the clutch and transmission is totally different?clutch cable,r/h rear engine mount a few other things,loom safety switch gear.

[jason41987]

im not sure if youd consider a '76 CB550 to be an earlier or later model?

[dave500]

the early 550s shared the frame with the 500,,the rear passenger pegs are bolted through a large pressed steel "ear lobe"the later 550s had a different frame slightly with the rear pegs mounted on a tubular loop,which do you have?the later 550 front forks also had the mounting lugs on the right leg for a second caliper/dual disc which never eventuated but it can be rigged up.