Can I use Mikesxs Calipers & Rotors 77-84 for my '81 LH

[ManitoulinLad]

I did a search & it seems a little vauge for a '81 Special (Midnight Special) Can I just swap out the front calipers on the bike with the ones in Mikesxs 650 web site of 77-84 for mine & will my own rotors work? Or do I have change the front rotors too " Mikesxs high performance 77-84 to make this fit? And with the back brake can I swap out the same as the above? I just thought instead of re-building them out I could just change them out with new ones & then I would by the pads off of Mikexs. I would also be changing the lines to stainless steel & would change out the front M/C with a Mikesxs unit & either re-build the back M/C or just change it out with one of Mikesxs custom rear units & just get rid of the dual front & back application when you hit the back brakes. Your words of advice would be great. Thx.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Lad,

Sorry, but your 81LH MNS is a very rare breed, it's more akin to the 82XJ11 in it's braking system. They are nothing like the 650's calipers, both in mounting and design, so they will NOT work with your bike!

You still have the option of separating the front right caliper from the rear with the use of an aftermarket rear MC. And you can link the 2 front calipers with a new larger capacity MC and SS lines for some sure fire stopping power, but you'll need to use the 81LH's calipers! There was a recent thread discussing the merits of smaller bore MC's for the front ie. 13-14mm vs. the size used for the XS's, the 16mm size, a quick search should reveal it.
T.C.

[GARTHXS]

other models

Will they fit on my 79f

[John]

The front calipers for a Special are made from a very rare metal called 'Un-obtainium", and is not available anywhere on the planet. It seems the rare metal is only found in celesial objecs that strike the earth only once in a million years, and apparently, all of it has been discovered and used to make the calipers, so we will have to wait for another Earth impact to be able to obtain the precious metal, in order to make more front calipers for a Special.
Those at Mikesxs are may work on the standard, but if you need Special calipers, then you will need to rebuild your old ones. The pistons are unavailable also, and you will need to reuse some old ones, or have some made, like I did, at a machine shop.

[fredintoon]

Will they fit on my 79f

>
Hi Garth,
'77 & newer XS650 calipers and XS1100 Standard calipers are identical.
'77 & newer XS650 front brake rotors will work for all 3 XS11 brake rotors on Standards and on Specials but the XS650 brake rotors are ~1mm thicker.
Your best bet for brake rotors are the late model XS11 slotted ones, it sure beats drilling all those holes.

[DGXSER]

JC Whitney carries our rotors. They are VERY proud of them, but they have them.

[ManitoulinLad]

Hey guys thx for the advice. Now at least I know where I stand. I have waited a long time to find this bike & I guess thats what makes it "special" - not alot made, & parts are rare. I also have an XS650 & I am used to getting new parts from Mikesxs. So I have to rebuild the front or swap out the entire front end to an XS1100 standard to be able to buy brand new units from Mikexs. Hey John I like your sense of humor - I live up north in the country, the skies are pretty clear here at night- I keep my eyes open for the meteor & I'll pm you if i ever see it & I'll even share metal - Hell I'll annouce it on the forum.