Twinpot Brake upgrade on 78 Skunk

[salty_monk]

The spacer is tight to the hub & the shoulder bolts centralize the whole thing.

You can send me links if you like & I will tell you if they will fit or not... (if they are OEM that is). Make sure you get a rotor dia of 295mm not the 310mm or 320mm.

A lot of people disconnect it due to a spongy lever feel and/or difficult bleeding but there is no need to. It will work either way. If you disconnect it then either simply leave it disconnected or put a block off plate on.
With a plate you will need to create a channel to link the two holes in the fork otherwise the antidive will be constantly active.

I have 83 1100 forks fitted and use a block off plate with a channel in it. I also use cartridge emulators & a stiffer spring. The rebound adjustment on these forks still works after you fit emulators so I now have a fork with adjustable preload, rebound & compression (via the emulator). Pretty good for a 30 year old fork!

 

[Guest]

When i put this set-up on my 850, i installed it like it is intended to be. Then i got a set of '83 1100GK forks for it. They are wider than the stock forks so, i had to move the plate that normally mounts on the outside of the fork mounting lugs, to in-between the lugs and the caliper mount. Everything else, the three bolts, the spacer, in place as before. I've had it this way for a couple of seasons with no problems.

 

[bobgroger]

The spacer is tight to the hub & the shoulder bolts centralize the whole thing.

You can send me links if you like & I will tell you if they will fit or not... (if they are OEM that is). Make sure you get a rotor dia of 295mm not the 310mm or 320mm.

A lot of people disconnect it due to a spongy lever feel and/or difficult bleeding but there is no need to. It will work either way. If you disconnect it then either simply leave it disconnected or put a block off plate on.
With a plate you will need to create a channel to link the two holes in the fork otherwise the antidive will be constantly active.

I have 83 1100 forks fitted and use a block off plate with a channel in it. I also use cartridge emulators & a stiffer spring. The rebound adjustment on these forks still works after you fit emulators so I now have a fork with adjustable preload, rebound & compression (via the emulator). Pretty good for a 30 year old fork!

Thank you. I have a better picture now. I was afraid of radial runout. I will check to be sure, but the shoulder bolts should work. The forks are a project for down the road, so I will leave them as-is for now. Who knows, the extra stopping power may allow the anti-dive to actually work?

Bob G.

 

[salty_monk]

When the anti-dive is working properly it does a reasonable job in my opinion (based on limited rides on others bikes), not as good as the Honda of the same period (which used a mechanical actuator triggered by fork compression rather than hydraulic). It does affect the lever feel though.

The cartridge emulators are way better.

 

[bobtail84]

I have just read the whole of this thread..... What a truly inspiring read salty_monk has replied to my PM and the wheels are in motion for a kit to be sent to me in the UK.
I have found the calipers here in the UK for a good price and I'm still looking for the CBR900 rotors for the right money.
My GS1000 has passed it's MOT test on Saturday 03 19 (this is our road worthiness test) so I have a whole year of playing with upgrades. I will start a build thread to show how I've got to this Point and to show what is next. I do have quite a special engine to fit hence the brake up grade.
I have been truly inspired by the hard work of you guys in this thread, the information and ingenuity. Also a big hand for Dan as it was his hard work that has made this a viable solution for the somewhat iffy standard GS brakes. :cheerful:
Jeff

 

[bobtail84]

Just for info, it is easier to look for ZR750 Zephyr calipers over here in the UK and they seem readily available. I've bought some for fifty of lizzies pounds and will see what they are like and report.

My bracket kit are on there way over the pond, thanks Dan, so all I have to do is track down are some serviceable CBR900RR discs / rotors. I'm looking forward to doing this conversion.

 

[bobgroger]

I now have collected all the parts except the rotors. Wondering if anyone has used the Bikemaster 752 rotors? A little more than half the price of EBC, twice the price of Chinese wave rotors. They are made in Europe, and look very well built. Even the buttons are held on with E-clips so they can be rebuilt. A pair from Powersports Superstore is $255 shipped. Amazon has Chinese rotors for $116 the pair. WWYD?

http://www.amazon.com/Wotefusi-Moto...edirect=true&ref_=pe_2313390_187747060_em_des

http://www.powersportsuperstore.com...?gclid=CPS54Yzt38sCFYRrfgodKTwL1w&Click=35177

Here is a picture of the actual Bikemaster part

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BikeMaster-...ash=item4881a74a9e:g:EvgAAOSwLnlWpBJj&vxp=mtr

I am thinking you get what you pay for, but this will never see a track.

 

[steve murdoch]

I can't speak to the quality differences but i certainly prefer the look of the Bikemaster rotors.
Could be they are both sourced from China.
To my eye wave rotors should only be on modern bikes.

 

[bobtail84]

My brackets arrived today thanks salty_monk. The calipers should be with me on Monday Apr 4 just need to source the rotors then have much fun fitting.

 

[salty_monk]

No problem, glad you got them ok. Those Bikemaster units do look good.

 

[dmctechnical]

Hi Salty Monk , does the brake caliper adapter plate fit the gs550 83 with twin brakes .

I have sent a pm .

cheers

David

 

[salty_monk]

One back at ya, I can't see any good reason why it wouldn't work with that model.

If it doesn't I'll take them back minus postage.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[hannibal]

Just curious if anyone ordered from Powersports Superstore. They often have a good price on parts but I assume they're too good to be true.

 

[dmctechnical]

Thanks Dan ,

all sorted , your message bank is full so cant reply via pm .

cheers

david

 

[Thumper88]

Just curious if anyone ordered from Powersports Superstore. They often have a good price on parts but I assume they're too good to be true.

I've ordered quite a few times from them--no issues at all.

 

[salty_monk]

Thanks Dan ,

all sorted , your message bank is full so cant reply via pm .

cheers

david

Great! Hope the Post is quick for you. There seems to be no good reason connected to their efficiency or lack of it at times.

I made some space in the Inbox too!

 

[dmctechnical]

Great , thanks mate

 

[bobtail84]

Just a quick question. Offering one of the brackets with caliper attached to the fork it looks like will fit with the original rotor. Is there a reason it can't be used? I do have a slight ringing bell in the back of my mind but can't for the life of me remember if there was a good reason for it not to. Also the thing that made me think about it was another conversion very much the same but using the drilled rotor.

Jeff

 

[bobgroger]

Just a quick question. Offering one of the brackets with caliper attached to the fork it looks like will fit with the original rotor. Is there a reason it can't be used? I do have a slight ringing bell in the back of my mind but can't for the life of me remember if there was a good reason for it not to. Also the thing that made me think about it was another conversion very much the same but using the drilled rotor.

Jeff

Check post #546 for a list of rotors that will work. The GS550 Solid rotor in on the list, as well as some "L" models. The key is 296mm, most GS's are 275

 

[bobtail84]

Check post #546 for a list of rotors that will work. The GS550 Solid rotor in on the list, as well as some "L" models. The key is 296mm, most GS's are 275

Hmmm.. Just measured mine and they are 295mm I do think the GS1000 over here in the UK all pretty much came with 295mm Rotors, mind you I could be wrong according to my wife....