Putting dual disk brakes on my cb550k front..

Scarry Deuce

Scarry Deuce

I saw this in a cartoon I think I can do it ....
Ok after looking at the front wheel of my cb550k I am seriously considering putting dual disk brakes on it everything is there but the rotor, caliper, caliper arm and a bigger master cylinder.. to me it looks like they were going to do it at the factory but didin't ..


I've always heard stories about the cb550 being a little week on braking but I have no first hand experience I've never ridden one so I'm asking you guys what do you think ??
 
The right fork lower was cast with the caliper mounting points, but wasn't finish machined to accept the arm. You'll have to do that, or machine the arm. The speedo drive will need to be modified as well, unless you do away with it. It's much more of a headache than you might think, but definitely possible.
 
not to mention the gl1000 will bring you up to 37mm front end, and performs a ton better then the cb550 forks.

also gl1000 has options for even BIGGER brakes (search fishead big brakes on google) using modern rotors and caliper (which means lighter, and even STRONGER brakes).
 
Swap on a Nighthawk front end... It's what I'm doing. Granted mine's a 750, but it's another Honda, so the conversion might be just as easy as swapping neck bearings and using the Nighthawks triples. Gives you dual twin piston calipers and anti-dive air-adjustable shocks. And you can run a 120 front tire. Get the front end as a package, and you get a sweet looking 18" Enkei 1 piece aluminum wheel... Just a thought.
 
Ringo said:
The right fork lower was cast with the caliper mounting points, but wasn't finish machined to accept the arm. You'll have to do that, or machine the arm. The speedo drive will need to be modified as well, unless you do away with it. It's much more of a headache than you might think, but definitely possible.
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The mounting points are all good I can't see anything that would require any milling, drilling or threding ..
 
VonYinzer said:
Or... You could get a GL1000 front end, swap the neck bearings out and be done with it.
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what bearings do I swap the stock cb550 to the new GL1000 front end ??
 
VonYinzer said:
Dunno. Look at the steering stem size list at www.ohiocaferacers.com. Find the numbers for both the CB550 and the GL1000, than call AllBalls bearings. Theyll set you up.
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ok if I'm reading this chart right there the same


Honda GL1000 (75-76)
Honda GL1000L (76)
Honda CB550K/K1 (74-78),


Upper: 26 x 48.5 x 15.2 Lower: 30 x 50 x 14.4
 
 
should be a direct swap... just check that you have the bearing stack height correct.
 
there's a chance I may know someone with a complete front end hanging from the rafters of his shop but I won't know for sure til Tuesday.. :)


now I have to find the money .... what do you think a 1977 cb550k complete front end is worth ?? ;D I'll throw the tire in for free ..
 
Scarry Deuce said:
The mounting points are all good I can't see anything that would require any milling, drilling or threding ..
Click to expand...

Yeah man, trust me, there is a difference in lowers. Maybe a mm or so, but just flip your forks and try to line up the caliper with the rotor. It won't happen.

You're right on the money with the GL swap...DO IT!
 
You should consider using new stainless steel brake lines, rebuilding your master cylinder and installing a new caliper seal on your existing single disc set up. This will make a dramatic improvement.
 
If I were you I'd stick with the original plan. Its not very difficult at all to switch the 550 over to dual disks and all the machining that is implied can be done with a bastard-file and a couple of washer's for spacers. You'll need longer caliper bolts and a second caliper/rotor of course, another brake line and a double banjo bolt too. As for (used) master cylinders, they are inexpensive, find yourself one with a 5/8" bore.
 
Ok the guy I thought had the GL1000 front end sold it :(
so I'm back to the cb550 front end with dual disk brakes new stainless steel brake lines and rotors ..


Now here is something I did not know the new bikes like Harley Davidson are going to small bore master cylinder on there dual disk


any one know if the travel has gotten longer ??
 
Think about it, almost no fluid actually moves when you pull on the brake lever. What you need is a 5/8" Master, one from an old Goldwing will work, so will many others. If you want to just run a T in your brake line (and not use the stock brake light switch and junction) then find a master cylinder with a built in brake light switch, other than that just go to E-Bay and start searching. There are all sorts of articles on the web that will walk you through the process of getting the arms lines up with the rotors. As for the expense and effort of doing it, you might as well put new seals in the calipers, new bleeders, and maybe new brake pads too while you're at it. I went ahead and had my disks turned and am going to drill them before final assembly. Oh, and if you want to do it, its not any harder to mount the calipers behind the front legs as it is to mount them in front and there may be some handling advantages in moving the weight rearward.
 
If you're going with the 550 front for duals, you'll also need to modify your speedo drive, OR go to the selling section on sohc4.net and buy the modified speedo drive plates sold by a member there.
 
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