Front brake upgrading

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Paul

Paul

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The front brake of my Production Racer has a 270 mm disk, Lockheed caliper and Brembo master cilinder. I'm considering to upgrade it but want to respect the original prody looks. So no floating nor drilled disks and no two disks set-up either.


Front brake upgrading



Please could anyone advice me which way to go ?

- Are Ferodo FDB 88P brake pads a substantial improvement over the FDB 88 ones I have now ?
- Would a Lockheed or Grimeca AP caliper be a substantial improvement, also over the FDB 88P brake pads ?
- Is there a difference in performance between the AP Lockheed and the Grimeca ?

All this stuff isn't cheap so I'm not interested to modify it unless it is really a big improvement ...

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance !
 
Looks like you will have to go up to a bigger disc and either a Lockheed racing or Grimeca caliper if you want more braking performance.
 
So using a Lockheed racing or Grimeca caliper with the 270 mm (10.7 ") disk wouldn't bring much improvement ?
 
Paul said:
So using a Lockheed racing or Grimeca caliper with the 270 mm (10.7 ") disk wouldn't bring much improvement ?
Click to expand...


I really don't know if there is much to be gained by doing that, as most people tend to upgrade to a larger diameter (12"-13"-14") disc, as both caliper types require a carrier plate to be fitted, regardless of the disc size.
 
Yes I think so - I don't know the diameter though. According to a Norton dealer, the brake is much better than with the original master cylinder. (but still not good enough for me)
 
Paul,
Firstly, your brake is standart production Commando, not Production Racer- on http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/NCProddyRacer.htm you can see what that looks like. It used a bigger brake disc (semi-floating), different hub, different caliper and fork slider. This is an improvement on the original brake, but at considerable cost. Your setup can be improved far cheaper by switching over to a different master cylinder with a smaller bore. Again, Andover Norton offer a conversion kit on their "accessories" page, which I know from personal experience will stop the front wheel of a Commando at any given speed, no matter what brake pads you use. The leverage is the problem with the original brake, not the other components! The conversion kit also works with the Proddy Racer components, but they are not really necessary.
 
I think you should check the bore size of your master cylinder, by far the biggest improvement on the original set-up was to use a half inch bore instead of the original five eights inch one. I sleeved mine down, although I started at the wrong end by fitting a Grimeca caliper and braided line, although this made a difference it wasn't nearly as noticeable as the smaller master cylinder!
Dave.
 
I just called the previous owner of my bike. Unfortunately, he doesn't know the diameter of the Brembo master cylinder (and I don't feel like taking it apart right now) but as Brembo's were made for two disks, the diameter probably isn't much different from the Norton one.
Anaway, it's most interesting to hear how important the diameter is. I still have the original master cylinder, so I'll look to resleeve it. Thanks !
 
Paul said:
I just called the previous owner of my bike. Unfortunately, he doesn't know the diameter of the Brembo master cilinder (and I don't feel like taking it apart right now)
Click to expand...

Is there a code number in the master cylinder?
 
I see 2 numbers: OK 0316 ( but one of the legs of the "K" is missing)
and: 3 106868
 
One of the most beautiful photo's of a production racer circuilating on internet, I guess !
 
L.A.B. said:
Paul said:
I see 2 numbers: OK 0316 ( but one of the legs of the "K" is missing)
and: 3 106868
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I have not been able to find any relevant Brembo information using those numbers.
http://www.brembo.com/CatalogoRacingMot ... index.html
Click to expand...


As far as I can find, the diameter of Brembo master cylinders is 16 or 19 mm. Even if mine would be only 16 mm, this is still too big I guess. (compared with a Norton resleeved one)
 
ludwig said:
looking at that picture ( and hijacking the thread) :
The top rear suspension mount is raised , is this so on every PR ?
How is yours , Paul ?
Click to expand...

You have a good nose for details, Ludwig. ;-)
Now, mine hasn't but my PR has an MK III frame.
Below, there's a genuine production racer and apparently, it doesn't have it either.


Front brake upgrading
 
Ive put the 13" floating disc conversion on my commando with the Lockhead racing caliper as fitted to proddie racers when new. It looks ugly but does the job better than a standard 10.7" disc.
I have kept the Standard commando master cylinder but I do intend to have it sleeved down to the smaller bore. Some of my mates in the local NOC branch have done this bore reduction & said its an imoprovement.
I would also reccomend getting the longer lever on the handlebar as this gives entra leverage & does improve braking.
I think anything to improve braking is a wise & worthwile move.
Cheers Don
 
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