Brake Caliper Upgrade Suggestions Please! : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

cgall66 · 09-29-2009, 09:58 PM

Ok heres the deal, I got a 1995 FXSTC with stock brakes. I really want to upgrade te caliper from single piston to multi piston calipers, but I want them to work with the existing master ccylinders. I mainly want this upgrade for safety and peace of mind, but would really appreciate some input from the V-Twin forum community.

Thanks and be safe out there

cgall66

Phat117 · 09-29-2009, 10:16 PM

Performance Machine and Jay Brake would be 2 good sites to check out. I can say from personal
experience the P.M. brakes work very well. Have heard good reviews on JB stuff also.

cgall66 · 09-29-2009, 10:29 PM

Thanks Phatt, by the way thats one bad ass softail, what lowering springs are you running in the front end on that beast.

Phat117 · 09-29-2009, 11:25 PM

Thanks! The front end hasn't been lowered. Stock front end with chrome lowers and Hawg Halters
triple trees that have some added rake.
Hawg Halters would also be another option for your brakes.

ktwillys · 09-30-2009, 09:08 AM

the least expensive way and best for funtion is to upgrade to the HD stock 2000 and later system..
it is a 4 piston system..
all you need to do is to replace your lower forks with the later lower forks.. can be found fairly cheap..
and then you can use the HD stock calipers and your wheel should accept the later stock rotor..
depending on whether you are using dual or single disc that will change your cost a little bit.
as for the master cylinder you can use your existing one provided the brake line has the correct banjo fitting for the calipers.
you also have to make sure that you are using the correct fluid.
the later HD brake system uses DOT 5 and it doesnt play well with the other type fluids..
worst case is that you have rebuild the calipers to clean out all the existing fluid and then run what you are currently using..

this is really a simple and cost effective way to upgrade the brakes on your bike...
I have done this several times... it really is easy..

VRSCR · 09-30-2009, 10:34 AM

I agree with KTWillys reply. Also with a lower leg change, you can go with a Brembo caliper or dual if you use the legs from a FLHT. The Brembo style rotors bolt right up as well!

mark_bert · 09-30-2009, 12:16 PM

Another option is to get a bracket that will allow you to use a sportbike caliper. Check out http://www.fabkevin.com/front_brake.htm. It runs about $225 for the bracket and caliper. You can probably get the bracket alone and look for a caliper on ebay (tons of them there). On a bike I used to have, I did the same idea with a caliper I got on ebay for about $10. Made the bracket myself out of some 1/4" plate that I cut with a jigsaw.

VRSCR · 10-02-2009, 07:14 AM

Keep usposted as to what you do and how you liked it.

rcsoftail · 10-06-2009, 07:27 PM

I went with a P.M. on my 95 flstc. Easy bolt on part, looks great and has increased the braking ability, but are not cheap. They used to sell a less expensive brushed finish version that matched the factory fork legs. The single piston factory caliper was a safety hazard and almost got me in several accidents due to the severe brake fade. I figured my life was worth the $300+ for the new caliper. Maybe I should have just gone slower and stayed in the slow lane.....

rcsoftail · 10-06-2009, 07:30 PM

Does the 2000 later systems use the same diameter brake rotor as the earlier models? Thanks

jonny oz · 10-07-2009, 11:44 AM

does anybody know anything about sportbike calipers??
I know most (all?) have dual fronts...i'm considering buying a single front sportbike caliper to replace my stock 06 night train front caliper...stopping power on the front is a little light for my liking.

i am under the assumption that this would increase stopping power significantly, but would like some input before moving forward with anything. i found a caliper on ebay from an r1 that is black that i don't think would take much work to make fit.

input appreciated.

thanks.

hksigman · 10-08-2009, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny oz

does anybody know anything about sportbike calipers??
I know most (all?) have dual fronts...i'm considering buying a single front sportbike caliper to replace my stock 06 night train front caliper...stopping power on the front is a little light for my liking.

i am under the assumption that this would increase stopping power significantly, but would like some input before moving forward with anything. i found a caliper on ebay from an r1 that is black that i don't think would take much work to make fit.

input appreciated.

thanks.

Im running a PM 6 on my 06 nitetrain and love it. Like someone said they are pricey ($450-500) but it looks bitchin especially with the Marzocchi inverted forks

Cop_Stanger · 10-08-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hksigman

Im running a PM 6 on my 06 nitetrain and love it. Like someone said they are pricey ($450-500) but it looks bitchin especially with the Marzocchi inverted forks

Pics????

Lost Hippie · 10-08-2009, 07:13 AM

I used the caliper kit from Ultima on the stock master cylinders... Worked all year... They are not perfect finish-wise, but for $250 for the pair, I couldn't complain. They have the new style looks, and mount on 99 and earlier softies...