What front brake setup is better? 3 choices.

[Guest]

I am deciding on what front rotors and calipers to use on my bike. I have been running the stock GS750 6mm rotors and calipers with the round pads. They work fine, I have 3 choices because I have other parts. I want to keep the brakes period, I dont want newer stuff.

Stock 79 GS750 round pads/calipers, 6mm rotors

Stock 79 GS1000 round pads/calipers, 5mm rotors

Stock 83 GS1100E square pads/floating calipers, 5mm vented/slotted rotors

I am not too fussy on weight of the rotors. I think the 5mm rotors look thin, plus I dont like the look of the stock slotted rotors too much. I like the beefier 6mm ones. I would eventually get the solid rotors drilled if used. Do you square pad brakes work better than the round ones?

I was also thinking on using 2 rear rotors, 6.5 mm, on the front with square pad calipers. Like this...

http://oldskoolsuzuki.info/patrick/projects/knarf_gs1000/roberto_pietri_79/images/PA210023.jpg

I will probably decide myself but would just like some opinions.

[Nessism]

In my experience the round pad calipers made some noise while braking. Stopping power was adequate for me though on my old 550.

I'd say the rectangular pad caliper is better although I've seen several calipers with quite a bit of wear on the sliding pins and in the ID of the caliper hanger holes. Similarly, I have a round pad 550 caliper that I recently went through and it looks excellent in terms of pin wear (it's sitting in a box if you need an extra).

Not sure this helps but there you have it.

[J_C]

Yeah... specifically, he saw my calipers with wear

[Nessism]

Yeah... specifically, he saw my calipers with wear

Hey JC,
Not only yours, I've got a new project bike that has the same wear...only slightly less. Fingers crossed it works ok.

[first timer]

how about some classic 2 piston lockheed front brakes?

http://www.apracing.com/info/products.asp?product=Solo+%26+Classic+Machines+plus+Sidecar+2+Piston+Caliper-CP2696-38E0_2536_1085

these might not be the exact ones but they should carry the one's cooley, and the likes use to use back in the day.

i think they are $250 a pop, not sure what you would use for calipers though.

[49er]

I am deciding on what front rotors and calipers to use on my bike. I have been running the stock GS750 6mm rotors and calipers with the round pads. They work fine, I have 3 choices because I have other parts. I want to keep the brakes period, I dont want newer stuff.

Stock 79 GS750 round pads/calipers, 6mm rotors

Stock 79 GS1000 round pads/calipers, 5mm rotors

Stock 83 GS1100E square pads/floating calipers, 5mm vented/slotted rotors

I am not too fussy on weight of the rotors. I think the 5mm rotors look thin, plus I dont like the look of the stock slotted rotors too much. I like the beefier 6mm ones. I would eventually get the solid rotors drilled if used. Do you square pad brakes work better than the round ones?

I was also thinking on using 2 rear rotors, 6.5 mm, on the front with square pad calipers. Like this...

http://oldskoolsuzuki.info/patrick/projects/knarf_gs1000/roberto_pietri_79/images/PA210023.jpg

I will probably decide myself but would just like some opinions.

I replaced the stock round pad calipers with the later model rectangular ones (GS1100G). Still using the solid discs, but now have a greater contact area. Pads dragged on the new calipers so I had to investigate.

During the strip down, I noticed that one slide pin on each caliper is larger than the other and has a rubber sleeve fitted to it. The caliper wasn't able to slide/return freely, even though it was adequately lubed.
Dissassembly was also a nightmare because of these rubber sleeves. I discarded the sleeeves and fitted a series of o rings in their place. The contact/drag area in the bore has been signifcantly reduced while still retaining axial alignment and integrity. I replaced the seals and dust covers during the overhaul.

My brakes are very efficient now with only two finger pressure required to cause lock up. Pads are Premier Du Ponte Kevlar. I'm not planning on changing to the thinner vented discs, even though I have a set on the spares 1100G. Stainless braided lines complete the package.
More powerful brakes with no squeels, must be a better deal!

[salty_monk]

The square pads have a greater swept area & are therefore slightly more efficient.

The 6mm ones are the bigger diameter single rotor setup ones aren't they???

Dan

[49er]

The square pads have a greater swept area & are therefore slightly more efficient.

The 6mm ones are the bigger diameter single rotor setup ones aren't they???

Dan

They came stock on the '79 models as a twin set up. Probably were 6 mm on the earlier single applications too.

I just compared the '83 1100G slotted ones with the 850's. Both are 275 mm dia but the 1100's are 7 mm thick.

[Tarbash 27]

There all the same diameter, but the round pads will only work on the 79 rotors I have, the squares will work on the 83 rotors or the rear rotors. Maybe Ill just use my stock GS750 brakes for now so I can get the bike together. Then see how it is, than later on play around with them.

[Big T]

Why not do the Kawasaki brake upgrade?

[Tarbash 27]

I just dont want to. I dont want those bigger rotors. I figure since I have 3 brake systems laying around, might as well use one instead of spending more money. I have a set of 4 piston tokico calipers I can make work but I just want to stick to more of a stock setup.