R1 Front brake mod questions..

[ribbert]

I think we look at brakes in the wrong way. What happens in that O SHIT moment, when you need to stop really fast. Just a few feet could mean the difference between, that was close or a ride in a red and white. I think brakes are a super important upgrade for this reason. Also remember my FJ was an ABS model and those brakes were a joke. Never worker well even when it was new. Just a different perspective for what it's worth.

Kurt

I agree entirely but the difference in those few feet is never going to be whether you run monoblocks or split calipers.

Hell, I could lock my front wheel in the dry with standard everything and EBC HH pads with just two fingers. I had to pull harder and they certainly didn't have the same feel to them, but they worked.

Everyone that didn't learn to ride on a late model ABS equipped bike, has to fight the fear of a front wheel lock up, even in an emergency. This is why I practice it often so that in an emergency I hope it will be instinct to use maximum braking.

The Govt. accident stats suggest that 80% of motorcyclists that run into something could have stopped before impact had they used their brakes at their maximum efficiency, in many cases way before. ABS bikes are on the road in sufficient numbers now to confirm this trend.

I reckon a lot of riders would be amazed at just how fast their bikes are capable of stopping.

Noel

[movenon]

They work OK for normal riding but I would definitely upgrade the pads to the HH's if I was an aggressive rider.


George

George, good brakes are not a performance accessory, they're a safety item.
The time you are most likely to need maximum braking is to avoid an accident, not braking late into a corner at speed.

Also, all HH pads are not created equal as some of the members have posted previously.

Noel

TNX Noel I will do some reading when I get back from the rally. I will just have to ride accordingly until they are up to snuff. Well, they work, just not as good as I know they should. By the time I get next two or 3 mod's done it will be time for Colorado......
George

[Zwartie]

I upgraded the front brakes on my '92 in March 2012.

Original Calipers


New (to me) Calipers


Brake Lever and Urine Cup Reservoir


The "new" calipers and front lever/master assembly were from an R6 but I believe it is the same as the R1. I had to get a longer brake line that ran from the Y connector at near the triple tree to the master cylinder.

The upgrade made a HUGE difference in braking. Well worth it!

Zwartie

[reggit]

A little known fact.....   

The FZR600 from about 1994 to around 2000 use the same callipers as the R1 bluespots - I assume the master cylinder will be similar.

The only difference I noted in using FZR as opposed to R1 sourced items is about £40.

[Riolongo]

This question is most likely obvious to you guys but it's unclear to me, if and when you upgrade your M/C to a 14mm and decide to add SS braided lines are the brake lines coming from a stock newer model bike or do you have to have something custom made up?  Also, there is so much info on this topic it can sometimes get confusing, it would be really useful if someone could just say which 14mm M/C is the best choice when upgrading, recognizing there may be pros and cons to various options.

Thanks,

Mike

[jscgdunn]

Hi Ben,
Could you send a pic of how you mounted the urine cup?  We just mounted one (from '97 YZF600 TC) on my son's 92, but I have to admit it looks pretty crude.

Noticable improvement over the old M/C....really likes the adjustable lever.  He is running braided lines and original calipers.

Thanks Jeff

PS how is the trip plan coming?

[Zwartie]

Jeff,

I'll take a couple pics and post them tonight. As far as the trip is concerned, everything seems to be coming together nicely. Not sure the exact date that we will be in the Calgary area but I think I may take you up on your offer. I will post pics on this site as we go along on the trip and will be sure to keep in touch.

Zwartie

Hi Ben,
Could you send a pic of how you mounted the urine cup?  We just mounted one (from '97 YZF600 TC) on my son's 92, but I have to admit it looks pretty crude.

Noticable improvement over the old M/C....really likes the adjustable lever.  He is running braided lines and original calipers.

Thanks Jeff

PS how is the trip plan coming?

[JCainFJ]

I have tried just about every combination of mastercylinders and calipers on my Yamahas and the R1 Sumotomo monoblocks with fresh stock G-G pads and either a Nissin in line 14mm master or a Nissin 19mm radial master are much better then the stock 4 pots on my 89 FJ, my 96 YZF600, and my wife's 92 TDM.
The key to getting the best results for me has been glass bead blasting the rotors. The friction surfaces of the rotors get contaminated with pad material as they are used so every time I replace the pads, I also remove the rotors and give them a blast. Some of my road race friends do this every race weekend. This cleaning is very important if you are changing pad materials, like going from the stock Sumotomo G-G pads to EBC H-H pads. If you try a set of the R1 monoblocks please take the time and bead blast your rotors. I have the R1 monoblocks on 11 of our motorcycles, they are very good calipers.

[fj11.5]

Hi Ben,
Could you send a pic of how you mounted the urine cup?  We just mounted one (from '97 YZF600 TC) on my son's 92, but I have to admit it looks pretty crude.

Noticable improvement over the old M/C....really likes the adjustable lever.  He is running braided lines and original calipers.  Check out the monkey made parts post,he made some cool urine cup mounts out of stainless steel,,

Thanks Jeff

PS how is the trip plan coming?

[Zwartie]

Here are a few pictures of the urine cup mount:







If you want to know where I got the mounting bracket, it was at a specialty shop...Canadian Tire! I went to the shelving hardware aisle and picked up an L bracket, painted it black and there you go!


Zwartie

Hi Ben,
Could you send a pic of how you mounted the urine cup?  We just mounted one (from '97 YZF600 TC) on my son's 92, but I have to admit it looks pretty crude.

Noticable improvement over the old M/C....really likes the adjustable lever.  He is running braided lines and original calipers.

Thanks Jeff

PS how is the trip plan coming?

[1tinindian]

Another option is to use a 2004 FZ6 M/C and avoid the urine cup all together and mount it normally.
You still get the adjustable lever.

Leon

[craigo]

Leon,

Is that FZ6 master a 14mm? Anything unusual about the brake lite switch?

Thanks,

CraigO

[1tinindian]

Leon,

Is that FZ6 master a 14mm? Anything unusual about the brake lite switch?

Thanks,

CraigO

I believe it is, and the switch wiring is pretty straight forward.

Leon

[Arnie]

IMO the SS brake lines make the biggest difference, but the pads AND the calipers certainly add to the improvement.
I rode Ribbert's bike and was very impressed with how well it stopped with the OEM 4pot calipers. 
His was the best stopping OEM braked FJ I've ridden.
It may be the EBC HH pads he used or the magic spell he recited, but they did work very well.
(Almost as well as my blue-spot brakes with OEM Yamaha pads). 
We both had SS brake lines on our bikes at the time.

Ribbert has now changed to blue-spot calipers and says the further improvement is minimal.
When I wear out these pads, I'll give the EBC HH pads a try and see what I find is the difference.

Arnie

[Bozo]

Arnie, you are correct, when I fitted the blue spots I expected a big difference but that didn't come till I purchased a set of EBC HH pads, now my brakes are magic (with EBC rotors). I also have braided brake lines. My master cylinder is from a ZZR1100 kawasaki (as is my clutch master cylinder)