1980 SR500 Project...

[hillsy]

If I had to decide between having only a front or rear brake, it would be the front. And on an SR500, the engine braking alone is enough to pull up the rear quite smartly (TOO smartly sometimes )

As for having your brakes fail, I can't say I've ever had a hydraulic set-up do that to me (not unexpectedly, at least). Fade, yes. Deteriorate, yes. Fail?, like completely?, like one minute they're there and the next they're gone?, no.

But hey - I always run front AND rear brakes ;D

 

[Big R]

I'm not gonna disagree - I would want the front too. And I personally have never had my front brakes (on anything) downright give up on me. But there is that chance. Ever see someone blow a front tire at speed? You can squeeze that lever with both hands but the rim and floppy rubber won't save you at all.

All comes down to 2 brakes are better than 1

 

[Staffy]

Dude, get on the sr500 forum, you'd have a rear brake sorted in an afternoon. Still, it's your bike and i love what you're doin with it.

 

[VonYinzer]

That thing is mean lookin brother... Very cool. Not a big fan of the one brake deal... but hell its your ass

 

[Brian W.]

hahaha. cool, thanks guys. im familiar with riding and the use of a rear brake. As stated.... for its first outting it most likely will not have a rear brake, but eventually it will get one im sure. but enough of that, glad you guys like it. and the bike is historic in my state which does not require any kind of inspection.

 

[JRK5892]

ill give my 2c and then i will get off it. This is a death trap, no joke, there is a reason chopper guys would run only rear and not front on one brake set ups, wash out occurs... alot! i have been riding everything with wheels since i was 10 and had my harley wash out on me this summer. only front brake is so dangerous, the rear break does more than just stop the rear tire, it also takes some of the rotational force off the front end, if not when you grab that sucker you run the risk of wishing out, going over the front, or it simply not stopping. if you only run a single brake set up please do it on the rear it is much safer. i am not trying to be a "dad" hell build some very dangerous stripped down bikes, but this is flat out not safe, i would never let somehting like this leave my shop. I have been building bikes for over 10 years now with over 22 ground up builds under my belt and countless other bikes worked and modded. not braggin just giving you where i stand. Please man, look into ebay or something the drum is there, are you just missing the pedal and pivot? if so you can have the stock one off my TX500 that may work. what kind of pegs you running? with those alone you can fab up a brake arm. it is super easy, to not run one just for looks or lack of the parts is nuts.
I personally would not ride with you because you would be a danger to the group on that sucker.
if you need help to design and make one let me know i would be more than happy to help you!

 

[Brian W.]

thanks for the tip. All it needs is a couple parts, which again is why i said right above your post i will most likely be adding it as i source the parts, but that it wasnt a priority. and AGAIN... i understand how brakes work and how the rear brake works.

I appreciate your concern and input though.

 

[Big R]

Sorry Brian, I was going back over this thread and just realized I never gave props on the bike! I really like that frame and the carbon muffler. Just kinda flows together.

 

[Brian W.]

Thanks Big R!

and all i need for the rear brakes i think is the linkage to the drum and the stabilizer bar or whatever that one that stays solid is. So if you guys happen across those parts let me know... it might save my life!!! haha. I think i have the pedal laying around here somewhere.

 

[JRK5892]

i am also a huge fan of the rocket pipe!

 

[Typhoon]

Your bike is really coming along great. I was hoping to maybe work on an sr500 for this year but they seem to have become ssparse.