Pondering New front brakes - Anybody have this?


27 replies to this topic
  • mrmoto35

Posted 05 March 2012 - 03:41 PM

#1

My aging 02 stock front brakes are horrible and I know just a SS brake line would help a lot but I want to make it so I can easily get the bike slowed down with my index finger, or as close as possible. My finger was almost completely severed in a car vs bicycle accident in 89 so it is weaker then normal. I am looking at going with an oversized rotor, SS line, and a 07 OEM master cylinder and lever. I am really liking the kit CRF Stuff sells but it is pricey. Does anyone have experience with ProFactory? There rotor/bracket is cheaper then CRF Stuff but I would still need to get the brake pads and the SS line, and fluid. It would still be cheaper though. Here is their web site, a link to the rotor/bracket on ebay, and to the CRF Stuff kit

http://profactorybrakerotors.com/

http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1423.l2649


http://www.crfstuff....fstblworep.html

Thank you all for any input!!

Visit the ThumperTalk Store for the lowest prices on motorcycle / ATV parts and accessories - Guaranteed
  • JJRace

Posted 05 March 2012 - 08:05 PM

#2

ProFactoryBrake rotors, that link well I dont know about you but you cannot purchase anything there.  I tried to click "buy" even though I had no idea what it was or anything and still couldnt purchase anything.

CRFstuff.com rotors are the ones used by the Geico and factory honda teams.  doesnt get better than that.  Plus Scott is real, been to his house, rode MtnView a few times with him. Super great person!

I have the CRFstuff rotors on both my bikes and all my riding friends have them have have Hondas.  Excellent product.  PERIOD.

http://motocrossacti...-BRAK-8594.aspx

Edited by JJRace, 05 March 2012 - 08:06 PM.


  • mrmoto35

Posted 05 March 2012 - 08:27 PM

#3

Yes I saw that Team Honda use's them. It is the best system I have looked at and I have been searching high and low. I just bought some fork bleeders From CRF Stuff and the receipt was signed "Thanks Gordon!, Scott" Plus I bought them on the 27th and I received a confirmation email saying

"Please Note! We are closed February 8th to the 27th as our entire crew is working on a volunteer project. You can place orders now and we will ship them as soon as we are back in the office Monday February 27th. Our apologies for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience!"

So I figured they would have a whole heap of orders stacked up and it may take a while. Nope. They shipped that day and I got them 2 days later. I really like that kinda of service and want to reward it with return business.

Thanks all for your help. I am going with the CRF Stuff brake kit. Sorry to bother you all lol

  • JJRace

Posted 06 March 2012 - 07:15 PM

#4

be sure to bed in the brake pads.  Check their tech section.

Report back on how you like them.

  • mrmoto35

Posted 08 March 2012 - 10:23 PM

#5

Ordered the CRF Stuff brake kit today. Gonna be a while as they are out of stock. Emailed Scott and he replied saying they are at the heat treaters and then they go to laser marking for the logo's. Offered me one with no logo if urgent but I will wait. Going to get the newer master cylinder/lever and caliper as well. Once I get it all installed I am going out to El Mirage to bed the brakes. Going to be great having front brakes I can stop the bike with using one weak finger.

Edited by mrmoto35, 08 March 2012 - 10:25 PM.


  • Shawn_Mc

Posted 10 March 2012 - 12:35 PM

#6

Youre about to put more brakes on the bike that I can even explain. Be careful with that set up. Its going to be the difference in stopping an over loaded dump truck and a Z06 Corvette.

  • mrmoto35

Posted 10 March 2012 - 12:43 PM

#7

Shawn_Mc, on 10 March 2012 - 12:35 PM, said:

Youre about to put more brakes on the bike that I can even explain. Be careful with that set up. Its going to be the difference in stopping an over loaded dump truck and a Z06 Corvette.
Maybe I should just get a SS line and the 07 master cylinder/lever and try that first? I am sure CRF Stuff would let me return the kit unused.

Edited by mrmoto35, 10 March 2012 - 12:43 PM.


  • Lead Head

Posted 10 March 2012 - 02:33 PM

#8

I can lock the front wheel up on my '02 without too much effort at the handle, but I tend to use most of my hand to work the brake, not a single finger.

I'd say you should talk to the guys at CRF Stuff, tell them your situation, what you want, and see if their system will be apropriate for your needs without it being over kill.

  • mrmoto35

Posted 10 March 2012 - 02:50 PM

#9

I have spoke with Scott at CRF Stuff and he seems like a real cool guy. The kit is on back order so now would be a good time to figure out if I need to cancel the order and go with just the line, new pads, and the 07 OEM MC/Lever. Thanks guys

Edited by mrmoto35, 10 March 2012 - 02:50 PM.


  • JJRace

Posted 10 March 2012 - 09:46 PM

#10

Here is the deal with brakes, same as cars.

Just cause you can "spike" the sytem to lock it up, does not mean you have optimum braking power.  Shoot I can spike a 88 S10 to lock up at freeway speeds.  Doesnt mean it will outstop Z06 at all.

Brakes systems work on a simple system of friction.  To modulate the power to the brake, the lever ratio of the Mc to caliper can be manipulated as can the LEVERage of the size of the front brake rotor.

Ask yourself this, why does a z06 outstop a camry???  both cars with the ABS fuse pulled will lock up the brakes easily at highway speeds.  So how does the corvette do it in less feet?  simple larger rotors, bigger calipers.  All increase the leverage and friction.  ALso the increased size of the disc will mean longer, more consistant stops as you have more surface area to heat and longer per revolution before it encounters the pad.  Thus it will stay cooler longer than a standard size disc.

I think you are on the right track with the 280mm unit.  I dont know of any amatuers and very few pros that actually can say that they use their front brake to its max potential.  So having extra on hand it always nice.

  • Lead Head

Posted 10 March 2012 - 11:25 PM

#11

JJRace, on 10 March 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

Ask yourself this, why does a z06 outstop a camry???  both cars with the ABS fuse pulled will lock up the brakes easily at highway speeds.  So how does the corvette do it in less feet?  simple larger rotors, bigger calipers.  All increase the leverage and friction.  ALso the increased size of the disc will mean longer, more consistant stops as you have more surface area to heat and longer per revolution before it encounters the pad.  Thus it will stay cooler longer than a standard size disc.
Bad example. Maximum braking force is almost always limited by the tire and the friction to the ground. A Corvette Z06 has tires as close as you can get to a race-compound and tread while still being barely street legal. The rubber is so soft they need to be replaced every 5,000 miles. A Z06 stops quicker because it has a lot more friction between the road and the tire. Not only just because it has larger brakes.

In the OP's case, without changing the tire, the overall maximum braking power is still limited to what the stock setup can do. What the better master cylinder, line, caliper, and rotor will give him is better modulation, easier lever pull for a given braking force, and more consistent braking action - just like you said, but not overall more power.

Edited by Lead Head, 10 March 2012 - 11:26 PM.


  • JJRace

Posted 11 March 2012 - 10:20 AM

#12

No it was a good example.  So you are saying you stick ZO6 tires on the camry and they brake the same?????


http://auto.howstuff...types/brake.htm

simply put.

  • Lead Head

Posted 11 March 2012 - 10:33 AM

#13

JJRace, on 11 March 2012 - 10:20 AM, said:

No it was a good example.  So you are saying you stick ZO6 tires on the camry and they brake the same?????

You're deliberately misinterpetting what I said. Notice I said "Not only just because it has larger brakes." If you put Z06 tires on a Camry, it will stop quicker, since it already has the braking power to lock its factory tires up. Will it stop as quick as a Z06? No because it doesn't have the braking power to fully utilize Z06 tires. Put Camry tires on a Z06, and it will not stop any quicker than the Camry - since both can exert more braking force than there is available friction with the road.

Bigger brakes allow for better feel, modulation, reduced lever effort and more resitance to fade. But with the same tires you had before you still not stop any quicker. If you can already lock your tire up with the brakes you have, putting bigger brakes on will not allow you to stop any faster. That is fact.

Edited by Lead Head, 11 March 2012 - 10:35 AM.


  • mrmoto35

Posted 11 March 2012 - 01:11 PM

#14

Hey guys here is where it gets a little iffy for me. I just got home from PALA Raceway and while I was there I made it a point to do specific tests and for example when just cruising down the dirt road surronding the tracks at say 10-15 mph I can grab a full hand of the front brake and sqeeze with everything I've got and it won't come close to locking up the brakes. Just start slowing me down. And like Shawn said I can see my old 02 OEM line "grow" when working the lever and watching the line. When you hold the line and work the lever it is surprising how much it expands. I think putting just a new SS line on will make a huge difference. Even a new OEM would probably make a big difference. What had me worried is the new rotor, ss line, pads, the 07 mc/lever etc would just be too much braking and throw me down sideways far to easily. The only way I will know for sure if I will like it and make good use of it is to try it out. At that point though I can longer return the kit. I have already ordered it so I am gonna give it a go. I am using money from a bunch of stuff I had laying around and sold here and on ebay so if it doesn't work out I will sell it on ebay or wherever and not feel a big hit in my savings.

Thanks for your input I truly value it.

Edited by mrmoto35, 12 March 2012 - 01:42 PM.


  • shanecarr

Posted 12 March 2012 - 12:14 PM

#15

Might need a caliper. I think you can rebuild em pretty cheap.  Never done it though.

  • Shawn_Mc

Posted 12 March 2012 - 12:43 PM

#16

Im not trying to talk you out of the CRF stuff kit. Thats one bad ass brake and it'll do exactly what its told. If you can get them to send you the line if its not back ordered go ahead and get it and put it on. Then when the rest of the kit comes, all youve gotta do is swap the rotor and the caliper bracket out.

You'll notice the line for sure. It'll make you smile big enough to knock your goggles off. Just learn to speak the new brakes language though. You wont need to "yell" at it anymore thats for sure.

Its all just a matter of becoming "one" with the bike. If you dont know what I mean, some day when you have one of those days, you will.

  • mrmoto35

Posted 12 March 2012 - 01:59 PM

#17

Shawn_Mc, on 12 March 2012 - 12:43 PM, said:

Im not trying to talk you out of the CRF stuff kit. Thats one bad ass brake and it'll do exactly what its told. If you can get them to send you the line if its not back ordered go ahead and get it and put it on. Then when the rest of the kit comes, all youve gotta do is swap the rotor and the caliper bracket out.

You'll notice the line for sure. It'll make you smile big enough to knock your goggles off. Just learn to speak the new brakes language though. You wont need to "yell" at it anymore thats for sure.

Its all just a matter of becoming "one" with the bike. If you dont know what I mean, some day when you have one of those days, you will.
I am going to ask. Would even pay a few extra bucks for the separate shipping. If I install it and run DOT4 through it and then give the new rotor a go once it arrives will it require any type of special flushing before I put the new DOT5.1 in the new system?

I spoke to the previous owner before I ordered the kit because he put 05 forks on the bike but I couldn't tell if he did the caliper as well.  I unbolted the caliper and removed the pads and I could not for the life of me find a part number on it or the bracket. I needed to be sure what was what before I ordered. He told me the current caliper is the original 02 OEM. I am going to replace it instead of rebuilding it. Once I have everything the front brakes will be entirely brand new. If I sell the bike and get a newer one I will put the OEM brakes with a new OEM line back on before I sell it. That will not be anytime soon though, if ever. Love the bike to much.

  • mrmoto35

Posted 12 March 2012 - 02:02 PM

#18

shanecarr, on 12 March 2012 - 12:14 PM, said:

Might need a caliper. I think you can rebuild em pretty cheap.  Never done it though.
Going to replace it regardless. With my discount and the fact that every other part of the system will be new, I just can't see trying to rebuild the original 02. Thanks

  • j368

Posted 12 March 2012 - 06:58 PM

#19

One of the best mods you can do is a great front brake system. Once you have one you'll never go back. You can brake way later going into the corners than stock. All your braking points will change at your regular track. You'll see for yourself the 1st couple laps. Brake later and get on the gas earlier and your lap times will drop!!!

  • mrmoto35

Posted 12 March 2012 - 07:17 PM

#20

j368, on 12 March 2012 - 06:58 PM, said:

One of the best mods you can do is a great front brake system. Once you have one you'll never go back. You can brake way later going into the corners than stock. All your braking points will change at your regular track. You'll see for yourself the 1st couple laps. Brake later and get on the gas earlier and your lap times will drop!!!
So I won't have to start slowing the bike down halfway down the straights anymore? Thats sound awesome to me! I have been so busy getting this bike to run absolutley perfect engine wise that I had gotten used to having to slow way early before corners. Figured I will deal with it when I was happy with the motor. I am happy with the motor now. Just wish the brakes were here already




 
x

Join Our Community!

Even if you don't want to post, registered members get access to tools that make finding & following the good stuff easier.
Register Close
If you enjoyed reading about "" here in the ThumperTalk archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join ThumperTalk today!

The views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the author, and have not been reviewed or approved by ThumperTalk.