450cc Cafe Rebuild - single or dual front disc brakes??

[jaredc7]

Hey everyone, I am working on a cafe rebuild on a 1982 Honda CM450C. I have a complete fork swap from a 2006 CBR600RR, but I'm really thinking that the second caliper/rotor on the front is unnecessary. Could I just remove this second caliper/rotor/etc?? Would I need to downsize the master cylinder? Should I just leave well-enough alone?

Here's my build thread...
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=55387.msg633359#msg633359

Thanks!
Jared

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Try this site

http://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

 

[cxman]

leave it if you remove one rotor you might impart some twisting under heavy braking

and its all balanced as it is

 

[xb33bsa]

i would go single unless you are racing you will never need it dual
modern forks and wheels with the huge axles dont have a twisting problem...
with a single disc you will have less rotating and less unsprung weight all a good thing
but yeah then a change to a smaller master may beneficial, i would try what you have first

 

[jaredc7]

Thanks for the thoughts! One on hand, I'd like to keep the dual front brakes to stay with the updated & modern look of the bike (it will have a single swing arm and monoshock conversion).

On the other hand, I was considering the benefits of lowering the rotational weight of the bike, as opposed to the lesser improvement of lowering unsprung mass. Since the bike is only a 450cc twin, there is only so much I can gain from improving the carbs, engine, and exhaust.

 

[cxman]

jared

as a 58 year old bike enthusiast i have to ask why you would go to all the work of building a

bike as nice as you are doing but with the intention of running it so hard that you have to contemplate

removing the rotor for more speed?>? seems counter intuitive the bike is now 32 years old enjoy it !!!!

 

[xb33bsa]

well if you are going for overall performance the single disc is the way to go
your 450 will not likely hit 130+ like a 600 can ;D that is what the dual disc is designed for a racing type situation multiple hi performance stops lap after lap after lap
with a single disc your suspension will work better and you will be able to accelerate slightly quicker than a dual lashup
lets not kid ourselves we are riding on the street at far,far below racing type situations
have fun happy new year !!

 

[crazypj]

Weight reduction - single disc is for drag racing not maximum performance
If I remember right, every 7lbs removed is about equivalent to 1 extra hp during acceleration
I would always go for maximum braking capability, it's one place where too much is way better than not enough

 

[swan]

I you are building a cafe racer I would go drum brakes front and rear.

 

[D4N63R]

Weight reduction - single disc is for drag racing not maximum performance
If I remember right, every 7lbs removed is about equivalent to 1 extra hp during acceleration
I would always go for maximum braking capability, it's one place where too much is way better than not enough

Nice tip on the weight. I couldn't agree more on the maximum braking available. You may never need but if the time should arise when you do you'll be thankful to have it. Not to mention a dual disc setup is still way lighter then a drum, it looks bad ass and more front brake makes for easier stoppies.... stoppies are fun hahaha

I you are building a cafe racer I would go drum brakes front and rear.

Look wise yeah but drums weigh a freakin ton and dont offer the same level of repeatable performance.

 

[jaredc7]

Thank you all for the feedback!

I think I am going to leave well enough alone, and keep the dual front disc brakes in there. There is some reduction in unsprung and rotational weight, but I would also have to do some work to cut off one of the calipers, grind it smooth with the fork, paint it, and then I will likely need to get a different master cylinder.

On the plus side, I will have braking to spare. Which, like some of you guys said, is never a bad thing. I'll just try to get my weight savings elsewhere

Thanks,
Jared

 

[D4N63R]

want to make a massive difference in your weight and increase acceleration like crazy?

buy these http://www.marchesiniwheels.com/en/Pages/default.aspx

the single greatest performance enhancing mod you can make in one shot outside of an engine build is wheels.

but even just switching to modern rollers is going to make a big difference