One disc as opposed to two....?

[markjs]

One of my calipers is leaking, so I took the pin that holds the line into the leaky caliper and plugged it in to the one line where the two connect then I removed the caliper so I have only one. The braking power is signifigantly less, but is it safe for a few days so long as I am aware of it?

BTW....I will be getting it fixed ASAP.

[Snow]

I doubt anyone is going to tell you it's safe to ride your bike without all the brakes functioning correctly... but it's your personal choice. Also note that in many states non-functioning brake parts will earn you a ticket.

That being said, I rode for a year without rearbrakes but the rear only provides a fraction of what the front brakes provide as far as braking goes.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - life is about risk management. Ever little thing that you let go adds up in the bad category and when enough add up, including circumstances that you cannot control such as some idiot running a stop sign, then you have lost.

[markjs]

Well I did a whole summer on one caliper and disc, and I can honestly report, that if you are careful, and practice paying close attention to the difference in braking power, until you know intimately, the reduced braking power, this is a relatively minor issue.

Once I got used to it (a week of riding max), I forgot I was down a caliper, until I reread all my old threads just now, LOL. Ahhh, winter, time to fix thing all up or sell it to another who has the time, resources, and will to do so....Decisions!

[prometheus578]

I should comment... but I won't.

[justinhenry]

brakes are for pansies.

[underdog57]

So ,,, What happens if the last working brake fails ???
I'd estimate the safety factor for you and other motorist's is null...
Please pull the bike off the road till its legal ...

Bob

[trbig]

I should comment... but I won't.

Ummm, Pro?? You kinda just did! lol.

[79XS11F]

I don't understand why some folks don't see and understand that ANY bike is a SPORT machine compared to other forms of motorized transport. As a SPORT machine it should be be in tip top shape for use.
SO the REAL world .... Many can't for any number of reasons keep their bike, a SPORT machine, in "tip top" condition but surely if nothing else when your bike will likely go 100 MPH in short order even when in need of a tune up ... THE BRAKES ARE something that MUST be in TIP TOP condition. Sh*t these bikes have what many will call poor brakes even when all the brakes are working like new. So why go running around on your bike with 1/2 the brakes off line??? It makes no sense to me whatsoever. It's an accident waiting for a place to happen. PARK it until the brakes are repaired.
Rob

[mason79]

i think the first motorcycle race bike had no brakes at all, i think you'll be fine since you are addressing the situtation asap, i guess you have to slow down cause it's not a moped you are riding mister flintstone.

[79XS11F]

well .... a race track is a controlled environment and everyone is going in the same direction. It's safe to say that the brakes on this bike are not in good order. Maybe the one that is left is on it's last legs .. who knows ... In any case complacence breeds contempt. The day will come when that singe brake will be hot and over worked by the weight of the bike when stopping and the user will be a little hot on the throttle and some dummy will pop out of somewhere unexpectedly. To use the bike as is to .. go buy repair parts. to "putt" to the corner store while waiting for parts ... sure .. anyone would do it but to just micky mouse it together for day in and day out on going use is a mistake.
Rob

[mason79]

ok stop riding and get it fixed....are you happy now?
besides i bet it still stops better than an average $20,000 harley

[boyat68]

If my memory serves me correctly, it seems that I read somewhere that when Harley put their first bike out with front wheel brakes, the Harley Mavens would disconnect them because they said that they were unsafe.
"Inquiring minds want to know"

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Boyat68,

I haven't been around as long as you have, so I don't know WHEN it was that Harley first put front brakes on, but the "Mavens" were regrettably ignorant to the physics of braking, and also didn't know how and when to use them, hence, they were unsafe to THEM!

The front brakes provide at least 65% if not more of the actual braking force on a modern motorcycle, or any motorcycle for that matter! That's why ours has dual discs on the front, to help in stopping our heavy machines! When you hit the brakes hard, most of the weight transfers to the front wheel, and so it's got most of the traction, and the rear can easily lockup if applied to hard!

However, you don't want to apply them too strongly in a turn, under slippery conditions, gravel, sand, water, leaves, etc.! You can stop a bike in a much shorter distance standing on the front brakes than you can locking up the rear and even laying it down....."wrong" old school survival technique!

T.C.

[snowdog51]

brakes

if you have one brake in the front that would be like a xs650 and they stop.
drive for your eguiptment and conditions.
as ever bill

[Crazcnuk]

Brakes only slow you down...


That being said, one or two calipers is like going from one bike to a different bike. Everytime you change vehicles or setups you have to learn the new machine. That's all.

The guys here who have stainless steel braided brake lines could say the same about all of us that don't, that we're crazy riding with the reduced braking power!