rubber-side-down
Active Member
Got a cb360 and was lookin at my front rim without the disc on it, so is t safe? Will I still be able to brake up Normal conditions? I've seen plenty of bikes not run one I just thought I'd ask.
Running no front brake is it safe?
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Wangofree
Coast to Coast
Wow RSD, prepare for a firestorm of response I'm sure. I believe the front disc brake is responsible for 70% +/- of your stopping power. Without it you're going to be requiring a lot of work out of that rear drum brake which will generate a lot of heat, and will wear out a lot quicker. 
Is it safe? I suppose if you don't have to "panic stop" while going over 20 miles an hour. Is it smart? Probably not.
If you're going to create a museum show bike that never sees the road I'd say go for it. If you're going to ride it, I'd say reconsider.
Is it safe? I suppose if you don't have to "panic stop" while going over 20 miles an hour. Is it smart? Probably not.
If you're going to create a museum show bike that never sees the road I'd say go for it. If you're going to ride it, I'd say reconsider.
cqyqte
Grumpy retired oldtimer... "eat a Snickers bar"
Safe is an erroneous word, are you safe with two brakes... no, you are safer. Just like you are safer with three brakes, or safer with ABS controlled brakes. So to answer correctly you are less safe with one brake, but safer than none at all. Consider this the second you apply your rear brake your weight transfers forward do to inertia reducing the weight on the contact point between the tire and the road. The quicker you try to stop the more the weight transfer occurs and the less actual stopping power you have.
If you are leaving your bike in the garage or on display you be safe! :
If you are leaving your bike in the garage or on display you be safe! :
SONICJK
Reminds me of...me No, I'm sure of it. I hate him
Rich Ard said:
This guy knows his shit.
In all serious yes it's very unsafe. Have you ever tried to stop with just your rear brake? I rode mine without the front brake cable a few times and its horribly dangerous. Any time you need to stop quickly the rear tire locks up and if you aren't perfectly upright (ie turning) youre pretty likely to lowside.
mydlyfkryzis
当有疑问时踢你的敌人在生殖器上，你可以道歉后
Also, in many states (NJ for sure) it is not legal to be without a front brake.
I would ride all day without a rear brake.
Front brake is more like 90% of your braking capability. On Large, 700-900 pound Harley's, the rear is closer to 70%, but on the lighter bikes, 90% is the number, and on sport bikes, the front brake is often 100%. A stoppie, when the rear wheel is off the ground, provide 0% braking effort in the rear.
Here's an easy test. Ride around and don't use the front brake. Try to make some quick stops. WARNING: Be prepared for a high side crash. If you lock up the rear and the rear end slides a little to one side, and you let off the brake, the rear wheel will suddenly and violently return to center and track. In doing this, it often throws the rider off the bike. You Tube motorcycle high side and you will see what I am talking about.
Removing the drive chain with the front brake is a sensible answer to your question!
I would ride all day without a rear brake.
Front brake is more like 90% of your braking capability. On Large, 700-900 pound Harley's, the rear is closer to 70%, but on the lighter bikes, 90% is the number, and on sport bikes, the front brake is often 100%. A stoppie, when the rear wheel is off the ground, provide 0% braking effort in the rear.
Here's an easy test. Ride around and don't use the front brake. Try to make some quick stops. WARNING: Be prepared for a high side crash. If you lock up the rear and the rear end slides a little to one side, and you let off the brake, the rear wheel will suddenly and violently return to center and track. In doing this, it often throws the rider off the bike. You Tube motorcycle high side and you will see what I am talking about.
Removing the drive chain with the front brake is a sensible answer to your question!
Scruffy
West Tennessee
It pretty much depends on how the rest of the bike is set up, and how you intend to use it...
AHRMA has racing classes that are 100% brakeless.
A stripped down rigid frame big twin with a springer or girder has most of its working weight on the rear wheel, and if converted to rear disc or hydraulic drum can be run with a spool front wheel (and for looks should).
Do you have an sls or tls rear brake plate? SLS without a front brake is going to fade out pretty quick, my Savage I mostly use the rear only since the front brake is a joke, and I can feel the shoes get hot and lose their bite. The front brake works (kind of) if I have a high dollar set of pads in it, but I don't like (or trust) it.
If it is the look of the disc set up that is bothering you, convert it to a TLS front drum wheel. Looks better and if dialed in will stop just fine. I know that 500 Titan front wheels swap into the early Honda twins without a whole lot of effort. If you plan to road race it the hub will need a bit of structural webbing added, but a mild street build it can be run as is. Bike junkyards tend to have one or two floating around in the misc rim stack. Penton and Bultaco also had some really nice tls front wheels available. It is worth the effort to track one down.
AHRMA has racing classes that are 100% brakeless.
A stripped down rigid frame big twin with a springer or girder has most of its working weight on the rear wheel, and if converted to rear disc or hydraulic drum can be run with a spool front wheel (and for looks should).
Do you have an sls or tls rear brake plate? SLS without a front brake is going to fade out pretty quick, my Savage I mostly use the rear only since the front brake is a joke, and I can feel the shoes get hot and lose their bite. The front brake works (kind of) if I have a high dollar set of pads in it, but I don't like (or trust) it.
If it is the look of the disc set up that is bothering you, convert it to a TLS front drum wheel. Looks better and if dialed in will stop just fine. I know that 500 Titan front wheels swap into the early Honda twins without a whole lot of effort. If you plan to road race it the hub will need a bit of structural webbing added, but a mild street build it can be run as is. Bike junkyards tend to have one or two floating around in the misc rim stack. Penton and Bultaco also had some really nice tls front wheels available. It is worth the effort to track one down.
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
Riding with no front plate is bad ass and keeping with the original idea of a cafe racer.
It will show all the other dudes in the Starbucks parking lot how hard core you are. Only build a bike that reflects your true nature. You should ask your self the same questions before you do any mod to a bike..."what will this say about my inner being?"
All kidding aside, if you really just plan on playing dress up and just riding around then you will be fine. Better yet make the bike completely unreadable and just make sure you are the first one to the parking lot...that way no one else will see that you brought your bike in the back of your moms mini van.
Anyone that said there were no stupid questions was wrong!
Is everything else done on your bike that you are at the point to think about BS style mods that make the bike work less? Start with shitty pods and cut exhaust. If it still works to well order Firestone replica tires and mount the handle bars on the front axle....still to much of a bike? Burn it.
Some people still think that a motorcycles should work as a vehicle and not an accessory to be used in a game of dress up
It will show all the other dudes in the Starbucks parking lot how hard core you are. Only build a bike that reflects your true nature. You should ask your self the same questions before you do any mod to a bike..."what will this say about my inner being?"
All kidding aside, if you really just plan on playing dress up and just riding around then you will be fine. Better yet make the bike completely unreadable and just make sure you are the first one to the parking lot...that way no one else will see that you brought your bike in the back of your moms mini van.
Anyone that said there were no stupid questions was wrong!
Is everything else done on your bike that you are at the point to think about BS style mods that make the bike work less? Start with shitty pods and cut exhaust. If it still works to well order Firestone replica tires and mount the handle bars on the front axle....still to much of a bike? Burn it.
Some people still think that a motorcycles should work as a vehicle and not an accessory to be used in a game of dress up
cgguy09
1971 CB350 K3
Hey man,
Everyone else here already delivered my sentiments. Your life is worth the $50, $100,$200, $1000 it takes to put on a disc & system. No corner cutting on the (few) safety features that exist on these bikes. There isn't a stack a presidents thats worth your life or limb.
Take care,
cFogs
Everyone else here already delivered my sentiments. Your life is worth the $50, $100,$200, $1000 it takes to put on a disc & system. No corner cutting on the (few) safety features that exist on these bikes. There isn't a stack a presidents thats worth your life or limb.
Take care,
cFogs
AgentX
Over 1,000 Posts
I wouldn't. But is riding a motorcycle "safe?" For many people, it's too dangerous to do in any form. You gotta make the decision that works within your risk-assessment paradigm.
I mean, for my money, my enjoyment of riding a motorcycle on the street would be greatly lessened by not having a front brake, since I'd have to alter my riding style accordingly or else plan in advance for the imminent mortuary or hospital visit.
If you want to ride like a grandmother or ride really, really risky, maybe having no front brake is up your alley. And even if you're riding like a grandmother, you lose a lot of flexibility dealing with the inevitable things that get inside your OODA loop.
I don't think your tiny Honda will help you look like either Peter Fonda or Kenny Roberts without a front brake, either.
I mean, for my money, my enjoyment of riding a motorcycle on the street would be greatly lessened by not having a front brake, since I'd have to alter my riding style accordingly or else plan in advance for the imminent mortuary or hospital visit.
If you want to ride like a grandmother or ride really, really risky, maybe having no front brake is up your alley. And even if you're riding like a grandmother, you lose a lot of flexibility dealing with the inevitable things that get inside your OODA loop.
I don't think your tiny Honda will help you look like either Peter Fonda or Kenny Roberts without a front brake, either.
VonYinzer
Over 10,000 Posts
The "no riding is safe" argument is kinda BS guys. No, motorcycles are not the safest form of transport available. That's pretty obvious. But adding to said risks is plain silly. Especially when its for looks. I spend a LOT of time on the road driving. Just by sheer averages my chances of being in an accident are higher than many. That doesn't mean I should make my truck any less safe because there's a higher chance I may be involved in an accident. It means I'm a bit more vigilant about and aware of the safety issues I face.
In the end, do what you want. But... Know that risking your life (and that of those around you) for style points is going to garner you aton of heat here.
In the end, do what you want. But... Know that risking your life (and that of those around you) for style points is going to garner you aton of heat here.
It does save weight on the front, I believe that gets you more speed. Please see below post for other great ideas
http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/18jtha/every_wondered_why_motorcycles_have_seats_and/
http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/18jtha/every_wondered_why_motorcycles_have_seats_and/
Rich Ard said:
Joke? I thought we were being helpful!
blackbuddha1
79 CB650-74 BMW 60/6
also don't forget that to really look fearless always ride in shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flops only!!
onetruepunk87
Been Around the Block
Your frront brake is 70% of your stopping power!
