Improving Brake Power

[vchua]

Hi guys,

Do you feel that cruiser with their Single fron brake dics and rear brake drum

have very weak braking power?

Sometimes it feel dangerous especially during wet condition.

 

Can anybody provide some ideas on how to improve our cruiser brak power?

Thanks in advance.

Some ideas from me:

 

1. Change brake hose to steel braided type.

[tingchiyen]

2. change to TWO front brake discs.

[Ah Chi]

Change calipers and pads.

[Throttle]

If you want to keep just a single disc in front, you can change the calipers to 6 pot type. but everytime change brake pads, you will require 6.

 

Using high quality brake pads with good bite is also another way although you may not feel the difference as much.

 

You can also try to convert the rear to disc brakes if the bike allows for it.

Otherwise, you will require serious mod work which may not be worthwhile.

 

Yes, steel braided hoses is the simplest way to improve the braking feel and power.

[hachi]

I dont think for 6 or 4 potters you need the so much brake pads...Busa 6 potters needed 2 pads and most 4 potters need 2 pads as well....

 

If the caliper doesnt match your brake master cylinder there is no way you can built enough pressure to push the pistons onto the rotors.

 

Better pads, fresh brake oil and braised line are good ways to enhance your braking set up...The next step would be master cylinder....then the caliper...But make sure your rotor is in good condition.....

 

[Blackie21]

also depends on how heavy the bike you are riding....

 

crappy brakes could be becoz of

 

old brake oil

old brake hoses

dirty master pump/cylinder

shitty brake pads

 

my bike's braking improved tremedously after i sorted all of the above....

 

worn tyres can also affect stopping power as they willl not provide the grip required to stop the bike as well.

[Ah Chi]

Have you all tried cleaning the pistons and changing seals? Dude that place is damn dirty...

[Throttle]

I dont think for 6 or 4 potters you need the so much brake pads...Busa 6 potters needed 2 pads and most 4 potters need 2 pads as well....

 

If the caliper doesnt match your brake master cylinder there is no way you can built enough pressure to push the pistons onto the rotors.

 

Better pads, fresh brake oil and braised line are good ways to enhance your braking set up...The next step would be master cylinder....then the caliper...But make sure your rotor is in good condition.....

 

 

 

depends on what sort of caliper.

not necessarily require 6 pads, that is true.

 

good point made about the pressure.

[bernardk]

At first i tot rear drum brakes are bad but i was wrong. Rear drum brake are actually good in wet weather. Just that you really need a high temperature pad. And tyre actually play a very important part.

 

But well you said you are riding a cruiser, so IMO cruiser relatively are not that good in braking compared to sports and street bike as they have longer chassis..

[swirlacer]

i agree that drum brakes are rather effective in the rain.. more so than the disk brake of my dragstar..

[vchua]

I also agreed that drum brake is good...cos i jam my rear brake twice rather easily:giddy:

 

This is something i hope to avoid as the rear will skid if the tyre is not in good condition.

 

Questions:

 

1. Where is a good shop to change front brake hose to Steel Braided? Cost?

 

2. Anyway to prevent the rear drum from Jamming up?

 

3. What is a good tyre for shadow? probably already discuss in any thread..