Building Frankenstein

[John]

Front MC

The front MC on an XJ does not have enough displacement to operate two calipers. You would need an MC from an XS or one of Partsnmores replacement MC's. This was discussed here a while ago, and that was the general consensus, and the rear MC has too much displacement for just one caliper.

[trbig]

Is it possible to have too much displacement for brakes? I haven't had a chance to ride it yet, but I capped off the front line coming off the rear one...got on the bike, and the pedal feels good. Cleaned the crap out, and it's pulsing in and out like it should when I apply and let off.
I was under the impression that this front caliper thing had been gone over... but that it was the general consensus that the front M/C would be ample to run both front brakes. I didn't know there was a difference in the front M/C of an XJ and an XS... but makes sense since the back one is completely different. Has anyone on here with an XJ actually tried it? I just know that you are moving very little fluid when applying brakes.. and it doesn't compress the fluid, so I have no knowledge personally to be making statements... it just seems that adding another caliper and ever so slightly moving 2 of them... wouldn't make much of a difference over just 1. If this doesn't work out... 99.9% of all the bikes out there stop just fine on one caliper each on the front and rear. I'm not a competative racer on a track... and doubt I would ever know or feel the difference much if I had one or 2 anyway.

Tod

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tod,

Several years ago when trying to rebuild mine, the front MC was totally shot and I didn't want to bother trying to rebuild it. So I went to the local salvage yard, and got a replacement MC, however I now realize that it was for a single caliper bike. It does work, I just find myself pulling the lever in almost all the way to the handlebar before the brakes would really start to grab strongly. SO...it does work, but you may find the feel just a little soft, some would call it more sensitive.

Racing isn't the main need for a strong front brake, but because this machine is so heavy, and you get about 70+% of your total braking effect from the front brakes alone, that's why folks feel it's important to have good strong front brakes for this machine! And, with the rear working too easily, it'll be even easier to accidentally lock up the rear brake when you aren't intending to!?

Being able to "panic" stop can save your skin, your bike, your life!
T.C.

[John]

Here is the earlier discusion on the xj brakes

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...5&pagenumber=2

[trbig]

I agree with the need for panick stopping. I also know that at some point, there may come a situation that I want to get away from that bike.. eg, laying it down. That's why I am interested in when I want the back brake... I want JUST the back brake... and not some 20+ year old valve deciding on how much presure to send to the front also.
I guess it all comes down to an issue of trust... I trust my braking using a comb. of front and back more than I do letting some mechanical device do it for me. Same reason I always turn off the traction control on the car too! Anyway...if it works.. ok.. if it doesn't.. ok. No one wants to lock up that front one anyway. I'm sure the one will work for me just fine, since I usually use it most anyway. I just thought it would do some good at some point to use that extra caliper up there instead of hauling around the dead weight!