upgrading brakes

[07M50Limited]

2 reasons
Rubber OEM hoses expand when the brake system gets hot. Steel braided lines do not; they keep great lever feel and performance.
Most OEM require that rubber lines be replaced every 3 years, most Steel braided lines will last the life of the bike.

[cyclesinct]

Originally Posted by 07M50Limited

2 reasons
Rubber OEM hoses expand when the brake system gets hot. Steel braided lines do not; they keep great lever feel and performance.
Most OEM require that rubber lines be replaced every 3 years, most Steel braided lines will last the life of the bike.

Just what I was looking for, thanks. Now, any idea on cost and difficulty of install?

[donny662]

Replacing the front end with a sportbike's might be a good way to to get dual discs. Since we have inverted front forks already, the triple clamps may be able to stay to avoid messing with the handlebars. It would be nice if you could just slide the forks out, pull the front brake lever and master cylinder, slide the GSX-R forks in, and put on the GSX-R master cylinder and lever.

I've never replaced a front end, so I don't know how easy/hard it would be.

[boooya]

ok, time for a n00b question. Why are steel braided cables better than the rubber ones that come with the bike?

One of the biggest diffrences is flex. When you apply the brakes the brake fluid becomes becomes pressurized. And since you can't compress a fluid it goes into the caliper applying the brakes and expanding the hose slightly. With a steel braided line it it just expands the caliper not so much the line, thus resulting in better braking and better feel. Rubber lines flex outward more then steelbraided lines do.

[05HDRAM]

Originally Posted by boooya

One of the biggest diffrences is flex. When you apply the brakes the brake fluid becomes becomes pressurized. And since you can't compress a fluid it goes into the caliper applying the brakes and expanding the hose slightly. With a steel braided line it it just expands the caliper not so much the line, thus resulting in better braking and better feel. Rubber lines flex outward more then steelbraided lines do.

True, but I ran the stock rubber lines on all the sportbikes I have owned, and not one of them felt weak. The brakes on a sportbike are meant to slow you down from high speed, very quickly. It is the overall package, not just the hoses that contribute to feel and performance. The M50 is a bargain cruiser with nice features, but not so much as to push it to the 1100cc price range. The brakes are adequate, and do the job. To get better you are going to have to shell out some money - and have a professional do the work.

[cyclesinct]

the braided cables may be worth a try. my brakes are really squishy and I can't figure out why. The pads are find & there is plenty of fluid. I'd like to get rid of the squishy feeling if i could.

[boooya]

True, but I ran the stock rubber lines on all the sportbikes I have owned, and not one of them felt weak. The brakes on a sportbike are meant to slow you down from high speed, very quickly. It is the overall package, not just the hoses that contribute to feel and performance. The M50 is a bargain cruiser with nice features, but not so much as to push it to the 1100cc price range. The brakes are adequate, and do the job. To get better you are going to have to shell out some money - and have a professional do the work.

Not debating that, your rite. This thread is how we can improve them, there never gonna stop like dual discs or a sport bike. Sport bike is almost half the wieght with twice the brake. Hey it rhymes.

[Petcop]

I'm glad this subject came up. I'm starting to plan a long distance ride to an AMA women's conference next year in Colorado, so when I'm bored (which is quite often...haha), I've been thinking of what changes I'll want to make. My bike is nearly all stock, and no performance mods, but I'm assuming I'll have to do the fuel processor and power commander mod so the poor bike won't suffocate up in those high altitudes, hauling my fat butt around! And upgrading the brakes is first on my list!


I just need to find a decent service department around here!

[donny662]

Originally Posted by Petcop

My bike is nearly all stock, and no performance mods, but I'm assuming I'll have to do the fuel processor and power commander mod so the poor bike won't suffocate up in those high altitudes, hauling my fat butt around!

As I understand it, the stock FI controller will be able to adjust the air/fuel mixture enough for any altitude changes. It is much more flexible than a carb, which is one of the advantages of FI over carbs. You only need an aftermarket fuel controller if you do enough modification of the airbox/exhaust that the stock controller can't compensate for it.

[buster]

Originally Posted by cyclesinct

ok, time for a n00b question. Why are steel braided cables better than the rubber ones that come with the bike?

Yes!

Originally Posted by cyclesinct

the braided cables may be worth a try. my brakes are really squishy and I can't figure out why. The pads are find & there is plenty of fluid. I'd like to get rid of the squishy feeling if i could.

Replace the brake fluid, over time brake fluid will begin to deteriorate and absorb a certain %ge of air and lead to a squishy feel.

If you are on original fluid it is already 3 years old.

In fact change to a braided hose and you'll end up replacing your fluid by default.

[05HDRAM]

Originally Posted by boooya

Not debating that, your rite. This thread is how we can improve them, there never gonna stop like dual discs or a sport bike. Sport bike is almost half the wieght with twice the brake. Hey it rhymes.

Wasn't trying to debate, just pointing out that it is an entire brake system. Replacing the rubber lines with braided will help a little, but it is not going to be a drastic change.

I like Busters suggestion of keeping the fluid clean. That will make a big difference.

[1badbaker]

Originally Posted by cyclesinct

Just what I was looking for, thanks. Now, any idea on cost and difficulty of install?

Galfer makes s/s brake lines for the M. Cost varies by source (like usual) here's one: Galfer Performance Braking FK003D575 Suzuki Boulevard M 50 Brake Line Kit - $88.95 BUY ONLINE

Here's the same cheaper, without color options: FK003D575 - Galfer Pro S.S. Front Brake Cable - M50

Looks like install is pretty basic, unhook a couple bolts and replace, then replace fluid and bleed system.

[Oaksong]

What I would love is for someone to come out with a way of adding a second disk.

The other option is to replace the disk and calipur. Some single-disk systems can stop on a dime, so I understand, but others... not so much.

The question is... why? What are the differences?

It shouldn't be hard to retrofit those parts (though it might cost a few hundred to do).

Also, dual disks just look better to me, more balanced. I think it is lame that manufacturers don't just add another brake.

[boooya]

Also, dual disks just look better to me, more balanced. I think it is lame that manufacturers don't just add another brake.

They didn't add dual disc to keep cost down.

[Ray Nielsen]

I think you're referring to steel braided brake lines, or hydraulic lines. Compared to rubber covered brake lines, the braided variety usually flex less and give a firmer feel to the brake lever/pedal. Many people like this and feed they have more control when braking. I've installed braided lines on several bikes and while I noticed the increased firmness, I didn't feel that braking distance improved much. It was easier to lock the rear brakes on a Suzuki Bandit 1200 I owned -- the rear disk brake actually became "touchy".

Ray Nielsen, in Minneapolis and going for a ride tomorrow!

[womper]

Originally Posted by Oaksong

What I would love is for someone to come out with a way of adding a second disk.

The other option is to replace the disk and calipur. Some single-disk systems can stop on a dime, so I understand, but others... not so much.

The question is... why? What are the differences?

It shouldn't be hard to retrofit those parts (though it might cost a few hundred to do).

Also, dual disks just look better to me, more balanced. I think it is lame that manufacturers don't just add another brake.

should be easy enough... it's not a real complex thing to add another disc and rotor... just split the hose and make sure you have enough pressure...

just need to bolt up another rotor on the other side...
wish i knew what i was talking about ... heh

[buster]

You also have to consider maximum brake dynamics, if you suddenly doubled the brake rate, you'll increase the rate of dive at the forks and possibly destabilise the front end under heavier braking conditions. I think there is much more to consider than just rotors and calipers.

[womper]

i didn't say it would be safe, just easy

[LJM9000]

So from looking at the forum. I see that there has been a rear disc brake that has been made.

Here is the link Link

Now while he said he machined some of the parts. I know that I would deff pay to get a rear disc brake, and from what I have heard from others here you would too.

07M50Limited seems to be the resident fabricator. Maybe this can be your next project???

[Pinhead78]

A rear disk brake is something that I would expect to find on my next bike, when I spend well over $10K.

Not to speak for Jeff, but making a rear disk brake system is a far cry from making a stationary piece of machined aluminum. Not to say he couldn't do it, but I personally wouldn't even want the remote possibility of having liability.

If there were any way to get a 6 piston caliper drop in replacement for the front and some top of the line brake pads, I would be all over that. That seems to be an easy upgrade that most of us tinkers can handle.