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 Post subject: 1975 RD350 brake upgrade
PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:14 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:34 pm
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Location: Front Royal, VA
I am spoiled by the 2 finger stopping abilities of the Phoenix Project and the RZ 350 and I had the R1 adapter bracket laying in the Girly Bike parts pile since the Gap when the Haase gave it to me.
So about a week ago I started gathering the required pieces from good ol Flea Bay...
ImageR1 front brake setup complete with Goodrich braided lines and new race pads $99 shipped. The conversion also required an FZR 600 rotor, a 12MM spacer ( made by cutting what the Haase referred to as a hat, from the center of a factory disc) and 6 M8 x 40 MM bolts, and some M8 and M10 washers for spacing.
.Image

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:18 pm 
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I had some issues (self induced) with the spacer made from the hat. I had to take it all back apart. and it took some time facing the spacer and now the rotor has no discernable runout. On to spacing....

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:21 pm 
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Location: Front Royal, VA
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This morning I worked out the spacing issues and assembled the rest of the system. I also had to grind a little off the caliper for spoke clearence. The R1 system operates the two lines with a double banjo bolt so I looked through my parts and found a decent single banjo and luckily the goodrich braided line is the perfect length. I hooked up my mityvac and bled the brake. Then I made a small subharness to plug into the factory pressure switch wiring so the brake light would work. Then I took a vigorous test ride and am pleased to report that despite the piston orientaion being incorrect big vs small leading that I can haul it down from 90 MPH with two fingers. The feel is good and the braking is linear and progressive. The only drawback is the RH forward fender brace will not work so I am on the hunt for a RD 400 or XS 400 front fender. Big thanks go out to M in SC for the bracket adapter and the help figuring out the spacing...
The rotor was $29 shipped for two and the bolts were $17 shipped. The whole mod is easily reversible as everything is bolt on and the original wiring for the no longer used pressure switch is untouched.

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:26 pm 

Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:25 am
Posts: 3137
Absolute beauty, sir.

I am not one of those that thinks brakes only need to be one disk on the front, no matter the calipoer used, I like the two, or single finger braking, and as much brake as I can add to the front wheel. Dual disks forever, and as many pistons in the calipers as I can get to sweep the disk correctly, FULLY, both sides.


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:31 pm 
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I would have done duals on this one too if I had a dual disc capable hub, but as light as the RD is it a night and day difference with the bigger rotor and 4 piston R1 caliper...

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:54 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
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Location: North Central NC
Just curious... is there a reason the caliper is in front of the fork tube? Like maybe the mounting eyes aren't in the right place if you flip the slider?

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 5:10 pm 
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Speedo wont work if you flip the legs...

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 5:15 pm 
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Location: North Central NC
Oh, huh. Interesting, thanks.

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 5:23 pm 
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Mark told me I could use my other caliper and go with an RD 400 fork lower as another option or use a speedo drive reverser... but this is working really well so far...

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:25 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
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Location: North Central NC
I'm sure it is. Having the caliper behind the fork tube is really more of a psychological improvement than a real one. :)

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