Hi everyone could someone please enlighten me with some suggestions that are not going to put me in the poor house for the rest of my life to improve the braking on my commando 850 1975 discs front and rear, I think they are working to the standard braking at that time, but when all said and done they were not very good when new, and also very much on the heavy side when operated, my discs are not new but more than servicable at the moment but I will be replacing them for next year, I have heard of different calipers I think they were made by AP but am not sure, Many thanks Chris
Norton Commando E/S 850 1975 disc brakes improvements ???
- Thread starter chrisf1
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2012
- Messages
- 3,727
Reduce the front master cylinder bore via a kit from RGM or a complete master cylinder (reduced bore) from Andover Norton.
Use the most aggressive pads you can find.
Use the most aggressive pads you can find.
Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts
Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.
andover-norton.co.uk
MASTER CYLINDER RELINE KIT WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL COMMANDOS
RGM NORTON 050136 MASTER CYLINDER RELINE KIT
www.rgmnorton.co.uk
johnm
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2008
- Messages
- 1,803
The amount necessary to put you in the poor house is a little hard to guess. 
But if I were looking for a safe reasonably cost effective upgrade I would buy the Andover Norton 13 mm Master cylinder for the front. They have a M111 and an earlier model version as well
Plus do some research on better disc pads.
I'm not aware of a similar upgrade for the back. Never researched it because I have a Mk11.
For myself I have a CNW front disc Brembo upgrade but as you say you do need to sellyour house first for that option.
But if I were looking for a safe reasonably cost effective upgrade I would buy the Andover Norton 13 mm Master cylinder for the front. They have a M111 and an earlier model version as well
Plus do some research on better disc pads.
I'm not aware of a similar upgrade for the back. Never researched it because I have a Mk11.
For myself I have a CNW front disc Brembo upgrade but as you say you do need to sellyour house first for that option.
Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts
Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
Last edited:
johnm
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2008
- Messages
- 1,803
I have heard reports of various sleeve kits failing or locking up. Which would concern me. I'm sure most work but you would need to be very sure it was installed perfectly.Reduce the front master cylinder bore via a kit from RGM or a complete master cylinder (reduced bore) from Andover Norton.
Use the most aggressive pads you can find.
Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts
Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.andover-norton.co.uk
MASTER CYLINDER RELINE KIT WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL COMMANDOS
RGM NORTON 050136 MASTER CYLINDER RELINE KITwww.rgmnorton.co.uk
That's why I suggested the Andover complete unit even though its more expensive
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2012
- Messages
- 3,727
That's why I suggested the Andover Norton complete master cylinder as an option and linked to it on the Mk3 front brake page.
The kits are probably not for the novice installer, at least the RGM sleeve is threaded and not held in to a 50 year old unknown condition bore with Loctite.
Tornado
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2017
- Messages
- 4,915
Don Pender (aka madass140 on this site) does several brake upgrade setups for Commando.
Re-sleeve (DiY or ready to go); modern MC which mates to stock OEM switchgear; full floating disc with modern caliper to fit stock mounts; dual disc setups.
All reasonably priced.
His web store:
Re-sleeve (DiY or ready to go); modern MC which mates to stock OEM switchgear; full floating disc with modern caliper to fit stock mounts; dual disc setups.
All reasonably priced.
His web store:
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2013
- Messages
- 5,403
Are the rear stock MC for the Mk3 13mm - or is that a new improvement?
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 20,483
= 5/8".
Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts
Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
ashman
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2010
- Messages
- 6,042
Do it right and do a complete upgrade of front brakes, its only money but well spent money, I know my life is more important than by saving a few $$$$ doing a cheap fix, I did that and the brakes let me down in a big way without warning and spent 6 weeks recovering, could have killed me, while recovering was when the full Grimca set up was ordered and delived from RGM, it was the best $500 at the time (12 years ago) of course things have gone up in prices but is your life worth it for modern brakes or crappy old 45 year old brakes that will let you down one day.
But of course you own a Norton now so expect to have deep pockets and don't think about the cost when things need fixing, its all part of owning things old.
Ashley
But of course you own a Norton now so expect to have deep pockets and don't think about the cost when things need fixing, its all part of owning things old.
Ashley
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2013
- Messages
- 5,403
Ok, so this is the sleeve upgrade then for the rear.= 5/8".
Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts
Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.andover-norton.co.uk
Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts
Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2022
- Messages
- 111
I have the 13mm Andover Norton front master cylinder on my mk3 and find that alone provides more than adequate braking for the bikes performance. (standard brake line & ordinary pads - can make the front tyre chirp during hard braking)
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2018
- Messages
- 1,269
I would also say Andover 13 mm master cylinder as first step. It will still be very usable if you then go for a different disc, and most alternative calipers too.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2020
- Messages
- 3,156
Ditto 13mm any way you can, braided hose, and Ferodo Platinum pads work well with the OE discs, IMHO.
I have a 13mm on the rear, too. Not sure if it's at a mechanical disadvantage to the front (!), but it wasn't as quantum an improvement as the change to the front was, though I need to overhaul the caliper sometime
I have a 13mm on the rear, too. Not sure if it's at a mechanical disadvantage to the front (!), but it wasn't as quantum an improvement as the change to the front was, though I need to overhaul the caliper sometime
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 20,483
Ok, so this is the sleeve upgrade then for the rear.
Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts
Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.andover-norton.co.uk
Yes, although with a 13mm front master cylinder or another improved front brake then 13mm at the rear wouldn't be entirely necessary as EstuaryBoy has said.
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2013
- Messages
- 5,403
I get ya. Not having a mk3 since 1986, this is new news to me.
Not that I wouldn't appreciate a rear disc with a 13mm MC compared to my drum...
Not that I wouldn't appreciate a rear disc with a 13mm MC compared to my drum...
The least costly route to a much better front brake is the RGM sleeve kit, i've fitted quite a few of these and they do the job very well. Mitzi (my mk3) has one fitted as well. Gets you a better front brake for under a hundred quid. If money is no object anything is possible right up to double disc setups.
Whereabouts in Britain are you?
Regards Peter
Whereabouts in Britain are you?
Regards Peter
Fast Eddie
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2013
- Messages
- 21,753
You get a lot more for the extra money with the AN replacement MC set up.
If what you have is all good and if you are 100% CONFIDENT in fitting the RGM kit then fine. But if either of those points are questionable I’d look again at the AN offering.
Alternatively, find someone to assist with the mod, like Peter perhaps ?
Functioning brakes are quite important after all… and even though I don’t know you, I know your life is worth way more than a couple of hundred quid…!
If what you have is all good and if you are 100% CONFIDENT in fitting the RGM kit then fine. But if either of those points are questionable I’d look again at the AN offering.
Alternatively, find someone to assist with the mod, like Peter perhaps ?
Functioning brakes are quite important after all… and even though I don’t know you, I know your life is worth way more than a couple of hundred quid…!
