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GS1000 1978 smaller rear brake

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    GS1000 1978 smaller rear brake

    Apologies if this subject has been discussed previously but I am looking to change the huge rear brake caliper to something much smaller like a brembo or similar. I appreciate I will also require a different disc and bracket and probably spacers. Has anyone done this modification.Or alternatively an underslung conversion , but unsure how this works without the torque arm
    Last edited by Highway star; 10-19-2021, 01:53 PM.

    #2
    It can be done but it needs a new caliper hanger CNC cut. I did it on a GS750ES. It's not particularly simple because the stock cast caliper hanger is a pretty complicated beast. It's curved and hollowed out.

    Additionally most modern calipers are meant for a smaller rotor than our stock one - the opposite problem to the front!

    If you used a slimmer caliper you may be able to change the spacer pack to allow you to build your caliper hanger on a flat sheet but you'd also have to re-space the stock rotor. That's basically what I did but I was using a more modern wheelset & rotor. Needed a custom torque arm too.

    To go underslung you need to either weld or clamp something to the swingarm and get a caliper with something to bolt to that. A lot of modern ones slide in a track on the swingarm to stop them rotating. That won't work with our setup obviously.

    All-in the stock rear brake setup on the GS's is pretty good. It's an opposed piston caliper & about equivalent to anything more modern in power & modulation.
    1980 GS1000G - Sold
    1978 GS1000E - Finished!
    1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
    1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
    2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
    1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
    2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar.....

    www.parasiticsanalytics.com

    TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

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      #3
      Thanks for all the information, it does sound a bit of a task.

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        #4
        Decided to stick with original caliper but trim20211204_141854.jpgmed away unnecessary metal to stream line it and did same with bracket.

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          #5
          That looks great!
          I also see safety wire holes? Are you heading to the track?
          2@ \'78 GS1000

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            #6
            Originally posted by steve murdoch View Post
            That looks great!
            I also see safety wire holes? Are you heading to the track?
            Thanks, no track riding planned I just think they look good

            Comment


              #7
              Looks great
              1980 GS1000G - Sold
              1978 GS1000E - Finished!
              1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
              1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
              2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
              1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
              2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar.....

              www.parasiticsanalytics.com

              TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

              Comment

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