I have good days and bad days and some days my HANDS aren't as strong as normal. What could I do to make the front brakes "stronger" without making them "grabby"?
Most days, if I don't feel well, I just stay off the bike. If I start to get tired riding, I use more rear brake. But others have said they use one or two fingers on their brake lever and I can't do that on a good day. I wondered if I was missing something.
'bout the only thing you could do would be to source some bigger calipers and if possible...so larger rotors. To my knowledge, nobody makes anything that fits currently so anything you source would have to be custom, one off stuff or adapted stuff from other bikes. There will be a lot of folks tell you to go with this pad or that pad, but in my experience....I think the OEM's are about the best out there.
From what you're saying - it might be time to just go through and give your brake system a good servicing. Deglaze the rotors, lube up the slides and pistons, and clean out your MC and refill the whole system with fresh DOT4. It can be done by yourself, but it kind of helps to have a buddy pump the brakes while you open and close the valves. Not sure where you are, but if you want to bring it down to Dallas, GA - I'll give you a hand with it.
On a side note, I've always thought the brakes on the GL1800 were pretty darn good. They sure are a heck of a lot better than the ones on my VTX 1300!
Have a GW mechanic or a friend who rides one take a quick test ride on yours to make sure your brakes are normal. It's possible you have air in a line or worn pads.
Ah, Rocky, I see the problem: Front brake lever does 3 pistons, while the rear brake pedal does 6 pistons. In a sense, I've got as much front wheel stopping power with my rear pedal as with my front lever. Right?
Well no WONDER the bike stops so much better when I use more rear brake! I thought I was imagining it.
I'm just glad our brakes are as good as they are. They are not teriffic but by some camparisons they aren't bad. I drove a friends Harley (Dyna I think) and it has one front rotor that is not as big as the gl1800 and I was not sure I was going to stop in time. I think that is the HD version of anti-lock brakes....
One thing no one has mentioned here is simply a fact of life, as we get older we lose muscle. Arthritis plays a big part in this too. There are days when I wake up and have a hard time making a fist much less squeeze a brake lever. I use exercise putty on these days to help loosen my hands and improve my grip. You can find it at Walmart and most fitness stores.
Just like a handicap person rides with a lost hand. Put a foot brake control on the front brake. All you do is use a master, run a longer hose, and make a bracket and foot pedal.
Or several places already make custom devices I think Fire.......something Custom is one of them. Firebrand, FireCreek, Fire something.
I can't say what, but there has to be something wrong with that diagram, or we don't have a linked braking system. I can see the 3 front pistons that are operated by the hand lever, but there is a rear piston operated by the front lever too.
I can't say what, but there has to be something wrong with that diagram, or we don't have a linked braking system. I can see the 3 front pistons that are operated by the hand lever, but there is a rear piston operated by the front lever too.
I've been using the back brakes more in the last week or so and it has really helped. The bike stops well. It stays level and feels well controlled. Good suggestion to use the pedal to get more FRONT stopping power. I didn't realize I had as much front stopping power with pedal as the lever.
I've been using the back brakes more in the last week or so and it has really helped. The bike stops well. It stays level and feels well controlled. Good suggestion to use the pedal to get more FRONT stopping power. I didn't realize I had as much front stopping power with pedal as the lever.
I'm not sure it would stop you any faster, with all six pistons operating from the front lever. I have never locked up the front, and I hope I never do, but I've had the front tire chirping in protest. I don't consider myself expert, but I assumed that that meant I was at the edge of control. It felt like I could apply more pressure and lock it up. To me, that means that I used all of the clamping force that I safely could. I am willing to learn, so if I've got this wrong, I'd like to know and there are probably some others that would too.
To the original question; I agree that options are limited. It does make a good difference to keep the front rotors clean and deglazed. The rotary de-glaze hone that Fred Harmon shows is helpful and once clean and fresh the rotors can be cleaned with mild organic acid like diluted vinegar or citric acid cleaners such as "Windex with Vinegar" (no, don't mix it your self, but it that way) or LemiFresh or lemon juice and detergent to very modestly etch them. Avoid getting detailer type products on your rotors too. Setting the hand lever to a closer setting as noted above is a good idea too if your grip is not so grippy. Traxxion Versa pads, if still available, do claim to have a little more hold than OE. A really good brake bleed is a must and fresh brake fluid may help too.
prs
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