Caliper mounting standards?

[AgentX]

Being relatively new to motorcycles, especially assembling them, I have what may be a silly question:

Are there any general standards for the mounting points of disc brake calipers? Is it brand- or type- specific? Or is it a matter of every caliper being different?

 

[o1marc]

Be more specific with what the question is.

 

[Rich Ard]

They're all a bit different - the big deal mounting a brake caliper is looking at where force is going to be applied when you yank the lever. Look at how calipers are generally mounted...you want to make sure that force from the rotor through the pads does not pull at an angle on your mount, as much as possible.

If you're looking for ASTM standards I believe they are pay-to-play.

 

[AgentX]

They're all a bit different - the big deal mounting a brake caliper is looking at where force is going to be applied when you yank the lever. Look at how calipers are generally mounted...you want to make sure that force from the rotor through the pads does not pull at an angle on your mount, as much as possible.

If you're looking for ASTM standards I believe they are pay-to-play.

Sorry, meant specifications for how they bolt on. Size/distance between bolt holes, mostly. Distance from the rotor also plays into it, but of course you can space things out differently as required.

ie, can one caliper pretty much swap into where a different caliper was originally spec'd? Or are there a number of different patterns for attachment? Or is each one different? How are these things specified?

(In the bicycle world, there are two disc mount standards for calipers: "post mount" and "International Standard." When you see either, you know what can swap in and out, or take an adapter to fit. Anything like that in the motorcycle arena?)

 

[Rich Ard]

Ah.

Nope. They're all different.

 

[o1marc]

Yes, with the emphasis on "adaptor to fit". Most manufacturers make their chit just different enough so you have to use their parts. Even models from same manufacturers differ so they are not necessarily interchangeable.

 

[crazypj]

(In the bicycle world, there are two disc mount standards for calipers: "post mount" and "International Standard." When you see either, you know what can swap in and out, or take an adapter to fit. Anything like that in the motorcycle arena?)

Yep, that was a good idea, manufacturers can standardise.
In the motorcycle world, the only way to go is make your own adapters.
There are drawing for some (ie, Kawasaki EX500 calipers on Kawasaki 400 triple)