Front Brake

steveyacht · Feb 27, 2017

First, Yes, I did a search on how to improve my front brake...... and all the posts regarding it were around 4 years old or older and many of the links and information is no longer accurate.

So, here is what I would like to some information on, please. The bike is a 1973 Norton 750 Commando, SN 220406. Bought new by me in March 1973.

1) Where can I send my Master Cylinder to have it modified to 13 MM. I do not want to exchange my unit for another, I want to keep the Master Cylinder it was born with. If I didn't buy the bike new, I could care less. But, I did and I do.

2) What other modifications can I do to help, without messing with the looks..... or if there is another disc that can replace the one I have, as long as I can keep the original, that will work better.

3) I plan on adding a SS hydraulic line from Master to brake caliper. I have already rebuilt the caliper and master cyl and have put on Ferodo Platinum pads. Lack of stopping power is starting to worry me, with the traffic where I live.

I really appreciate the talent and knowledge of those on this site and want to thank you all in advance.

Any links, websites or phone numbers of vendors is appreciated.

S

nortriubuell · Feb 27, 2017

Welcome back Steve ... haven't seen you post for awhile. Ok, I get it; you like what it was "born" with. But, below is what I did ...

... and bought from madass who posts on this forum. Great guy, with great parts.

http://www.tritonmotorcycleparts.com/29 ... tid=146825

Just my 2 cents.

Deckard · Feb 27, 2017

Ken Armann did mine years ago.
http://www.kenarmann.com/

Not much else you can do to stock disc setup other than what you plan. A SS rotor is available.

http://www.britcycle.com/Products/06/06_1885ss.htm

If you ride hard you may encounter diminished stopping power from stock caliper after a couple of hard stops at speed. Especially during summer heat.

Nice choice of color. Both mine are the same

madass140 · Feb 27, 2017

to keep original appearance, heres my 2 cents worth DIY

JimNH · Feb 27, 2017

I believe that both Clubman Racing and Old Brits will send yours out for sleeving. Having the chrome Blanchard ground off, if it hasn't already worn off, is a good improvement.

Nater_Potater · Feb 27, 2017

I went the fleabay 1/2" M/C a few years ago, coupled with a blanchard ground disc and Ferodo pads. It was night and day! Two drawbacks to my choice of M/C were having to mix and match fittings to adapt to the stock caliper plumbing, and having to cobble a bracket for the switch pod. Both issues could be addressed by using either a M/C mod kit (which I still plan to do), or aftermarket cylinder made to work with the switch pod. Madass can supply either as seen at master-cyinder-option-t24528.html#p322696, but get with him to make sure what's currently available.

As far as the disc itself is concerned, you may already know that they were chrome-plated from the factory. 'Not a good friction surface! Have that crap ground off of both sides first. That, and you might as well get some lightening/vent holes drilled while it's off the bike. template-drilling-front-brake-disc-t26268.html There's a couple of good links in here as to why the friction surface should be either drilled or slotted, and the big holes in the hub area remove a lot of unsprung weight.

Nathan

michael levato · Feb 27, 2017

Andover Norton now sells 13mm master cylinder, appearance is similar if not the same as original.

gortnipper · Feb 27, 2017

Fit the madass kit, blanchard grind and drill your current disc.

dave M · Feb 27, 2017

I used AP Racing pads in my standard caliper with a sleeved standard master cylinder and a braided hose, it improved the brake massively.

kerinorton · Feb 28, 2017

years ago, and before I read about this forum, I had a local guy make up a sleeve and piston to suit the 12 mm seals I bought for the job. It is much the same as what Madass supplies, and off the shelf I suggest you go for it. Some Others require threading the cylinder which was my first option but the local guy didn't like that. Haven't had any trouble other that when i inquired a few years later to get some spare seals I was told the 12 mm were not available any more. F..k .

If anyone knows where I can get 12 mm seals again I would appreciate knowing as well. There are some spares I like to "have up my sleeve".

Dereck

madass140 · Feb 28, 2017

I use Honda seals in my resleeve kits. they may fit your mastercylinder.Take your seals to some bike shops or brake service centers, I'm sure they can be found.
I dont like to supply seals so people can have them on the shelf just in case maybe one day they may need them, Its a waste
of my stock
Don

concours · Feb 28, 2017

steveyacht said:
First, Yes, I did a search on how to improve my front brake...... and all the posts regarding it were around 4 years old or older and many of the links and information is no longer accurate.

So, here is what I would like to some information on, please. The bike is a 1973 Norton 750 Commando, SN 220406. Bought new by me in March 1973.

1) Where can I send my Master Cylinder to have it modified to 13 MM. I do not want to exchange my unit for another, I want to keep the Master Cylinder it was born with. If I didn't buy the bike new, I could care less. But, I did and I do.

2) What other modifications can I do to help, without messing with the looks..... or if there is another disc that can replace the one I have, as long as I can keep the original, that will work better.

3) I plan on adding a SS hydraulic line from Master to brake caliper. I have already rebuilt the caliper and master cyl and have put on Ferodo Platinum pads. Lack of stopping power is starting to worry me, with the traffic where I live.

I really appreciate the talent and knowledge of those on this site and want to thank you all in advance.

Any links, websites or phone numbers of vendors is appreciated.

S

Clubman Racing did mine, I asked to retain original finish/patina. (I dislike the Plasti-Dip look offered by powder coating) Great job, great service.

steveyacht · Feb 28, 2017

nortriubuell said:
Welcome back Steve ... haven't seen you post for awhile. Ok, I get it; you like what it was "born" with. But, below is what I did ...

... and bought from madass who posts on this forum. Great guy, with great parts.

http://www.tritonmotorcycleparts.com/29 ... tid=146825

Just my 2 cents.

Thank you! This is pretty much what I am looking for. With this unit, I can keep the Lucas switch plate and have a better Master Cylinder..... Looks like a better overall cost factor as well. Thank you, Steve

cjandme · Feb 28, 2017

For those who didn't see it in another thread, it was mentioned that Gary Hollowich of DBR is looking to sell his business and retire.
I don't know the particulars, but you'd best send him your discs right away!
The surface grinding / face matching that he does is referred to as "Blanchard" grinding......

gortnipper · Feb 28, 2017

kerinorton said:
years ago, and before I read about this forum, I had a local guy make up a sleeve and piston to suit the 12 mm seals I bought for the job. It is much the same as what Madass supplies, and off the shelf I suggest you go for it. Some Others require threading the cylinder which was my first option but the local guy didn't like that. Haven't had any trouble other that when i inquired a few years later to get some spare seals I was told the 12 mm were not available any more. F..k .

If anyone knows where I can get 12 mm seals again I would appreciate knowing as well. There are some spares I like to "have up my sleeve".

Dereck

You could try these guys even tho one of them is quite the jerk.

http://advancedseals.co.nz

Towner · Mar 1, 2017

michael levato said:
Andover Norton now sells 13mm master cylinder, appearance is similar if not the same as original.

Here you are:
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-de ... -internals

kerinorton · Mar 1, 2017

Thanks David will give them a try. Sometimes the jerks are the best in the business though.
Dereck

acadian · Mar 2, 2017

stainless refurb of caliper components, just got the HEL braided lines to replace my old venhill lines, nissin retro style master cylinder (12mm), drilled the rotor myself

Front Brake

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