Speedmaster front brakes

[mjfrank]

I need to get some input on a problem I had 2 times. In the last 4 years I went down 2 times at slow speeds when I inadvertantly tweeked the front brake too much. Both times I was wearing heavy gloves and didn't have a good feel of the grip or the brake lever. Other than the heavy gloves my other bit of reasoning is the dual disks up front. I think they are overkill for normal riding and possibly so did Triumph since the new model speedmasters are down to one disk up front. My thought was to disconnect the hose going to the second caliper and just use one. I could go as far as removing the second rotor too but I'm not sure if I should do the left or the right. The rear is on the left and I can't remember where the America's front rotor is, left or right. I can't afford a bike with antilock quite yet so this was my brain storm. Are there any problems with what I plan on doing that any one can think of?

mike

 

[The Seeker]

Theoretically it should work OK, but I doubt it will solve you low speed braking problem. I did the same thing about two weeks ago, but I caught the bike before it hit the ground. My Trophy and most bikes with hydraulic front brakes have a lever adjustment at the pivot.....you could try backing off the lever pressure with that.

You do realize that disconnecting the one caliper would also mean plugging off that brake line too?

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[devo]

I don't really see a problem with disconnecting one of the calipers.I would be inclined to disconnect the one that has the secondary hose attached, and I would totally remove the caliper.
The one disc on the America is on the left hand side.
I never had a problem locking up the front on the speedy,my problem with my speedy and america was locking the rear.
I have eased this problem by adjusting the pedal so I need to rotate my foot further around the peg to achieve lock up, so I can still get max braking on the rear,but I have to consciously do it.
BTW, what front tyre are you using.?

 

[mjfrank]

Devo, I am using a Metzler oem front tire and I did intend to remove the caliper and rotor once I deemed it satisfactory. AJ, I figured I would run the hose from the control to the left caliper and use the short bolt from the crossover hose to seal the hose to the caliper. I am not sure this will solve my problem but I'm willing to try it. I have tried adjusting the control lever and when I'm riding with just my riding gloves I try to use only two fingers on the lever to minimize the effort there.

mike

 

[DaveM]

I have never even felt that I may have this problem and I would rather try and work with it and get used to it as the more braking power you have the better

 

[The Seeker]

I rather agree with Dave that at road speeds you want all the brakes you can get.

Is your Metzler tire of the type that isn't rounded and more pointy? I don't like the Metzler pointy style tire because the bike tends to "flop" over quickly instead of gradually. This could be aggravating your situation.

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[CarlS]

I also agree with Dave. I would keep all the braking power you have. I would practice slow stops and slow turning stops using the rear brake while covering the front brake. Safe, effective braking is a skill that needs to be practiced. That said, I have done the same thing as you on my Bonnie and my Tiger. I now practice to keep from making that mistake again.

 

[devo]

OK, the reason I asked what your front tyre was because I am running the OEM Mettzler me880 on the rear which is inclined to lock up very easily.
Over here the bikes came factory fitted with the Metzler Lasertec on the front, but nowadays they come with an 880 series on the front, and I'm not sure about standard fitment stateside.I do feel the lasetec is a far stickier tyre than the 880 but it only lasts half as long.

I have never even felt that I may have this problem and I would rather try and work with it and get used to it as the more braking power you have the better

Yes Dave,you are right,but I must admit,I feel a lot more confident grabbing a handful of front brake on the single disc america than I did on the twin disc speedy.
And as MJ so rightly pointed out, all the new ones are now single disc.

 

[hemibee]

My question(s) would be: What is the difference in the single and dual front disc's? Do the singles come with a larger disc and/or caliper? How will side loading of the wheel and hub be altered?

I ask these not because I want to know but they would be the questions I would want answered prior to removing a disc and caliper from the bike.


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[Rocky]

I'm arrivng late to this party, but I simply wouldn't degrade my brakes under any circumstances.
Get some better gloves; practice braking; change the front tire; do anything but alter your brake system.
Think liability. Suppose you get into a serious crash and somebody is hurt. If it can be shown that you altered your brakes you might be considered 100% at fault. Would your insurance company support you? Could you be sued for negligence?
But in the end it's all up to you. Do what you think is best, but I certainly wouldn't do it.

 

[devo]

My question(s) would be: What is the difference in the single and dual front disc's? Do the singles come with a larger disc and/or caliper? How will side loading of the wheel and hub be altered?

I ask these not because I want to know but they would be the questions I would want answered prior to removing a disc and caliper from the bike.


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I'm arrivng late to this party, but I simply wouldn't degrade my brakes under any circumstances.
Get some better gloves; practice braking; change the front tire; do anything but alter your brake system.
Think liability. Suppose you get into a serious crash and somebody is hurt. If it can be shown that you altered your brakes you might be considered 100% at fault. Would your insurance company support you? Could you be sued for negligence?
But in the end it's all up to you. Do what you think is best, but I certainly wouldn't do it.

Both very valid points and well worth considering

 

[hemibee]

I agree 100% with Rocky, I would not remove one side of my front brakes.


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[mjfrank]

You have some good points Rocky, Dave and Carl. I would definetly consult with my dealer on the differences between the new style pads rotors and calipers and my original ones. If they aren't rated the same, same size I won't do it. I will sell the bike and get one with less aggressive brakes or someday antilock brakes. There is nothing worse than doing 20 to 30 mph and inadvertantly grabbing too much front brake and having your bike on it's side before you realize it. I do have the Lazertec on the front.

mike

 

[Sketchy Snr]

. There is nothing worse than doing 20 to 30 mph and inadvertantly grabbing too much front brake and having your bike on it's side before you realize it.

mike

Really ????? You do have something funky going on there. Dry or wet conditions ?

 

[mjfrank]

Once was dry asphalt at 35 mph and recently 15 mph on wet asphalt.

mike

 

[The Seeker]

Oh.....I thought you meant really low speed like 1-2 MPH. That's the type of thing I was referring to.

I don't use the front brake at those speeds at all.

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[DaveM]

I am one that tends to use my back brakes and compression to slow down and then the front when I really need them

 

[mjfrank]

One of the reps at my dealer sorta scolded me after my first year because I wore out my rear pads already saying my back brake was to assist my front. I just feel the fronts are to grabby. I appreciate all the input and thank you all for your opinions on this. I am sure going to think long and hard this winter on which way I am going to go on this.

mike

 

[devo]

Mike I honestly do know what you mean by them being to grabby.And its all very well to train your hand to be a bit gentle on the brake,but in a panic situation we all jump on everything and you will get lock up.
Apart from stripping them down to America type specs,which we have since decided would not be a good idea legally, I dont know what else to recommend, apart from maybe talking to a brake specialist about a different choice of pad.I'm wondering if a harder pad may be a bit less snatchy.

 

[Sea Dog]

I would follow Harry's advice. Harder pads will reduce the initial bite, however overall braking performance from higher speeds will not be effected as the pads heat up to operating temp. A motorcycle brake specialist should be able to guide you to the correct pad compound to use.

Good Luck.