79 xs11 special NOW Electrical issues

[tyhodge07]

Lol, I'm looking for good enough reasons to why not. There are many bikes that does not run front brakes. And honestly, can't remember ever using the fronts last time I rode. Just needing a good enough reason why rather them no and put tools down, etc. Before looking for aftermarket brake lever and master cylinder.

[3Phase]

Do! Not! Remove! The! Front! Brakes!

Ty,

I would like to read the articles you mentioned that supposedly claim rear-only braking is as effective as front and rear braking on a motorcycle.

Unless you plan to trailer it everywhere and put it on display; stay in the parking lot or ride at parade speed where you never go fast enough for countersteering to take over from regular steering, the XS11 needs its front and rear brake during normal, everyday riding.

For abnormal, everyday riding -- yesterday I got run up on in the fast lane, then chased for over five miles on the freeway in heavy traffic by a homicidal soccer mom in her SUV at decidedly abnormal speeds. I can assure you that I needed the throttle, gears and both brakes or I'd be a road pizza today instead of casually discussing the merits of the necessity of front and rear brakes on an XS11 vs only the rear brake.

Do! Not! Remove! The! Front! Brakes!

Please.

.

[Hak]

I have several times locked up my rear tire when first getting used to my bike and realized how much I was overusing the rears not relying on the fronts.

First, let's look at weight transfer. When you apply the brakes your bikes weight is transferred forward, off of the rear tire, this greatly reduces available traction at the rear wheel. Conversely, greatly increases traction on the front wheel, so to have the most effective braking, most of the force is applied to the front wheel. Hence 2 rotors up front, only one in the rear. To use maximum braking force, you actually are supposed to increase pressure on the front brakes as you feel the weight transfer to the front of the bike, and it will just keep stopping harder and harder and harder. Perhaps you've never felt how potent the brakes can be.

There is just no possible way you can imagine it where you will have even half of the same effective braking power with only rear brakes. Perhaps in a certain instance where someone has a 300mm rear tire and seriousy upgraded rear brakes they could be comparible to a typical bike's setup and stopping power, but even in that scenario their braking power could be improved with the addition of front brakes.. I certainly do not want to rely on an unloaded single 150mm rear tire to keep me out of trouble. I'm not sure how you ride but I am constantly using my front brake.

Another point is if you find yourself in a bit of trouble entering a turn too quickly (which if I remember the statistic correctly, motorcycle accidents around a turn accounts for somewhere areound 80% of all death's on a motorcycle) and you only have a rear brake, and you lock up your rear tire, it is going to put you in a very precarious position.

The members here happen to be very brash with their opinions at times but it is never without merit. Removing the front brakes on your bike and only leaving the stock XS11 brakes in the rear is quite possibly one of the most dangerous things you can do to your motorcycle. I cannot express that enough.

[BA80]

On an automobile the braking is split approximately 60 (f) 40 (r). On a bike it's more like 80 (f) 20 (r).

Front brakes are essential on a bike if your going to ride it and live. Most states it's illegal to run without them. For obvious reasons.

[tyhodge07]

There are some good reasons. More of what I was looking for. Now to downsize the size of the stock brake and booster. Can I basically run any aftermarket brake and say a raised booster. It's not that all the parts didn't fit on with these handlebars, it's that they seem to cluttered and take away the angle it needs to sit at to be comfortable to use.

[jetmechmarty]

By all means, upgrade the brake. Do not remove it! You can put lightweight rotors up there, stainless lines, and master cylinder upgrade. Here's the chart for proper bore size:

[tyhodge07]

Do you know what stock caliper is. If I can just upgrade the brake handle and master cylinder then I'll go that route.

[jetmechmarty]

Do you know what stock caliper is. If I can just upgrade the brake handle and master cylinder then I'll go that route.

I believe they're 43 mm each.

[tyhodge07]

I'll do some research after work and see what I can come up with.

[jetmechmarty]

For optimum brakes, call Michael Morse. www.vintagebrake.com From the chart, you may want a 13 mm master cylinder or similar.

[bikerphil]

According to Mike, for single piston calipers you want to be in the 12:1 to 14:1 range.

[jetmechmarty]

According to Mike, for single piston calipers you want to be in the 12:1 to 14:1 range.

Yes. Best not listen to me on the subject because I'm no expert and running stock components.

[Hak]

I put a 14mm master cyl on mine and I think it is too large of a piston. I spent the longest time thinking that I had air in my line's but came to realize that it just doesn't squeeze the calipers as hard. It still gives me plenty of stopping power and is much lighter of a pull and more easily modulated, but at times can induce slight panic until I really squeeze it in combination with the rears. I'm ok with it, but if I did it again I think I would get a 12 or 13

[BA80]

The front master cylinder bore on an XS11 is 11/16 which is approximately 17mm. The 14mm is too small and won't move enough fluid to operate the dual calipers on the front comfortably. The pull will be easier than the 11/16 but it will also require more travel to push enough fluid to the calipers.

If you pinch one line to one of the calipers it will feel great operating just one.

[tyhodge07]

What setup are you running. Guessing your not running the stock brake with an aftermarket master cylinder.