DBradford
stranger
Reged: 22/11/2006
Posts: 16
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Dear Forum,
In next month's issue, we're looking at brake upgrades: the various ways in which you can improve your bike's ability to scrub off speed.
So, we're looking for riders who have spent money trying to boost their bikes' stopping power. What did you buy? Did it work? Did it give you good value for money? Perhaps you have put racing brakes on your track bike? Tell us all about it...
Also, have you owned a bike with very poor standard brakes which needed immediate improvement?
Reply to this thread, or email me direct (& add pics if you've got them) to: dbfreelance@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks!
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FastBikerBoy
veteran
Reged: 08/11/2006
Posts: 1479
Loc: Norfolk, UK - Police State
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I put HEL lines and EBC pads on the front of my '05 Kawasaki ZX10-R. They are standard road line set-up though, ie split at the caliper. I done a track day on the original kit and had quite bad brake fade, not funny at the end of the Revett straight.
I didn't bother with the back brake 'cos I don't think I've ever used it other than for doing U-turns or filtering.
It certainly made a huge difference to it although they definitely work better when warm. That's not to say there's no brake when they're cold 'cos there is but when they are hot they are hot. 
Tried it once on the track and then bought a track bike so it's only road use now and TBH I never had a great problem with the originals on the road but they are definitely sharper now.
My track 'blade also has HEL lines but they came already fitted, they are race lines. i.e. split at the master cylinder. Work a treat too, not sure what pads are in there but they look like EBC.
If you want some pics let me know and I can take some and either stick them on here or email them to you.
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FBB
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Biggles
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 05/05/2007
Posts: 3089
Loc: Orion arm of the milky way
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I swapped to Braking Wavies plus braided Hell lines.
I went for the Braking Waivies as they were not quite as extreme wave as Galfers and are thicker (good to get rid of heat). Initially a vast improvement, loads of bite and continuos performance. No pulsing. But (as predicted by morepower) the effect has dulled a bit. MP reckons the edges become rounded.
They are not as initially effective in the wet, needing a moment to dry-which was no bad thing as they had alot of bite in the dry and this just let you brake firmly without fear of locking the wheel .
The wavies started to rust in tiny patches where they join the wheel (ie not the usual rust that can happen on the disc surface that rubs off).
This rust is *under* the "protective" coating and started after only three weeks (well it has been a wet summer). Because it is under the coating it cannot be cleaned off. Not good.
Would I do it again-no.
They look great but have not lasted well they only have 4000 miles on them and now not much better than the OE ones.
Been thinking about going whole hog with Brembos calipers and discs-but also might need new master cylinder too (have heard R1 MC match well), but this is all very expensive on top of the Braking Wavies.
BTW the Hell lines originally supplied and marked for the K71000 were the wrong lenght and fitting on the rear (I kept the OE one in the end) and the front left line is a touch too short.
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Quote me as saying I was miss-quoted.
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makka
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 13/05/2007
Posts: 2866
Loc: Jungle, Near Byron Bay, Austra...
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I didn't do nuffing 'cos the brakes lock the wheel anyway so wot's the point?
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makka
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
J. Krishnamurti
Never confuse who you are with what you do.
Makka
Zeitgeist
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shinybusa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/01/2008
Posts: 1989
Loc: away with the fairies..
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I've put GOODRIDGE braided lines on the Busa, but I've kept the standard pads and discs. There is a definate difference, but I do find that the back wheel locks up under very hard braking....My fault for not looking where I'm going though mostly.. 
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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I've settled on Goodrich lines the STD pads and calipers on my bike are very good as STD. I had wavy discs on a GSXR last year and hated them. Other than that The R6 I had last year I replaced the lines and before I sold it was looking for pads that had a little more initial bite/feel. the modern radial calipers on current bikes are more than adequate altho in some cases ie My R6 different pads or cast iron discs may have given more initial bite and feel.
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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Tank
enthusiast
Reged: 27/11/2007
Posts: 356
Loc: Gwent, South Wales
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I've put set of custom braided lines on the front of my cbr 600 fm (only cos i cudn't get a set - most people said that they don't make them anymore) made by trike design.
They have without doubt saved me from a rear end or two.
They cost me a pretty penny though at 180 hard earned one's. Pic's to follow shortly if you want some
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Don't drink and drive, you might spill your drink
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shinybusa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/01/2008
Posts: 1989
Loc: away with the fairies..
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Dickhead....Sean in Pontlotyyn would have done them for half that price, and they would have been custom made to fit the bike...... 
Bloody kids eh, no telling them is there..... 
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fastjonny
veteran
Reged: 08/11/2006
Posts: 1323
Loc: England
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Tank, are you gonna let your bitch talk to you like that? I think you need to start taking him to obedience classes.
Oh yeah, brakes.
I fitted some snazzy Hel neon blue lines with titanium banjos (front and rear) and Carbon Lorraine pads to my '98 R1 three years ago to replace the ancient ballooning standard lines and worn out pads. Instant improvement on the already good brakes although I guess by today's standards (radial calipers etc.) some would deem them to be crap. 
Old lines off. New lines on. Fluid in. Bled brakes and master cylinder. Stood back to admire my handiwork and noticed puddle of green liquid starting to appear on the ground.
I'd managed to hole the radiator with one of the old banjos when I was removing the OE lines. Still, the fins were looking a bit battered anyway and fitting a new rad was a piece of cake.
Anyway, pics available if you want them Mr. Bradford.
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fastjonny
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FastBikerBoy
veteran
Reged: 08/11/2006
Posts: 1479
Loc: Norfolk, UK - Police State
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That's just made me think FJ, my ZX has radial calipers and are relatively 'modern', the 'blade is a 2000 model so getting on a bit. They both have braided lines and standard discs and TBH there ain't no difference in the brakes.
I squeeze, they stop - so maybe age and technology isn't quite the gap you think it is.
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FBB
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xxrider
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/11/2006
Posts: 2604
Loc: Somewhere over the rainbow.......
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Being a bit long in the tooth, I remember when even top flight sportsbikes had single piston sliding calipers on the front......
Most bikes that I can recall owning have had brakes upgraded, even if it's just pads. A good few had braided lines (various - tended to be whoever was flavour of the month at any particular time).
Until I got my present bike - just EBC pads so far. I don't do track days on it, and the brakes have never given me cause for concern, and until they do I can't really see much point in any radical changes.
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Remember - there are people in the world who are only alive because it's illegal to shoot them.
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RevRun
addict
Reged: 21/09/2008
Posts: 495
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A Brembo master cylinder with braided lines makes a world of difference.As for the back brake i dont know if mine works i dont use it.
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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Quote:
I've put set of custom braided lines on the front of my cbr 600 fm (only cos i cudn't get a set - most people said that they don't make them anymore) made by trike design.
They have without doubt saved me from a rear end or two.
They cost me a pretty penny though at 180 hard earned one's. Pic's to follow shortly if you want some
£180 fucking hell Goodrich sell kits most bike shops can make custom lines for £35 each.
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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Quote:
That's just made me think FJ, my ZX has radial calipers and are relatively 'modern', the 'blade is a 2000 model so getting on a bit. They both have braided lines and standard discs and TBH there ain't no difference in the brakes.
I squeeze, they stop - so maybe age and technology isn't quite the gap you think it is.
The Nissin calipers and master cylinder fitted to most Hondas were shit hot the set on my SP1 were better for feel etc than the radial calipers fitted to my Yams and the STD Honda pads are hard to beat unless you use the HRC pads.
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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Tank
enthusiast
Reged: 27/11/2007
Posts: 356
Loc: Gwent, South Wales
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Quote:
£180 fucking hell Goodrich sell kits most bike shops can make custom lines for £35 each.
I know, but they are really really good, as i've said - they've saved my bacon a few times
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Don't drink and drive, you might spill your drink
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Tank
enthusiast
Reged: 27/11/2007
Posts: 356
Loc: Gwent, South Wales
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Quote:
Dickhead....Sean in Pontlotyyn would have done them for half that price, and they would have been custom made to fit the bike......
Bloody kids eh, no telling them is there.....
And you........ you better get back in line or i'll fetch some lube up tomorrow and you can do my chain - with your leather's on!!!
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Don't drink and drive, you might spill your drink
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shinybusa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/01/2008
Posts: 1989
Loc: away with the fairies..
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That's OK.. I'll wait on the corner with my SPECIAL KIT.....  And I won't be riding a Hayabusa!!!!
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BigHam
veteran
Reged: 12/11/2006
Posts: 1420
Loc: Letchworth, UK
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Got Goodridge Braided lines with racing pads on the track hornet. They are awesome when hot, but pretty wooden until they warm up , so there's no way I'd want to use them on the road. For track they are amazing though.
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Where there's a will and Gaffa Tape there's a way!
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Nude_Lewd_Man
enthusiast
Reged: 21/07/2008
Posts: 231
Loc: Woking, Surrey, England, UK...
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I've had the lines on the front of my (04/54) Fazer 6 changed to braided (by FWR in SE London) and while they were at it they also changed the pads all round to a "sportier" style set - could well have been EBC. I didn't change the disks as it wasn't really neccessary, especially as I was already going past bigger/sports bikes on the brakes anyway.
Did it make a difference, yes. Would I do it again abso-fn-lutely. I can't remember the price as it was done at the same time as they were doing a full service, but I think it was about £350 all told.
I can now out brake a police-biker friend (who is "keen" into the bends himself) on his 06/06 ZX6.  Under normal conditions I only use my middle finger on the brakes, even from 130+, and in town it'll lift the back wheel if I use two fingers - but that's fun in itself anyway... 
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I've seen the light... It was green, flashy and attached to a Network Interface Card...
Whenever someone says "You can't miss it" I invariably do...
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BigHam
veteran
Reged: 12/11/2006
Posts: 1420
Loc: Letchworth, UK
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Quote:
but I think it was about £350 all told.
£350 for new lines and pads, you were fleeced!
Lines - £50-100
Pads - £50
Brake Fluid - £10.
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Where there's a will and Gaffa Tape there's a way!
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