My first question would be is the change to the Brembo calipers be better than the Performance Machine rotors or is it even possible on a 2007 CVO and secondly, has anyone made either one of the upgrades? My dealership seems to think this an easy swap but I am not always a believer in what they say.
Craig, I've got HHI's best calipers on my 05, stock calipers on the 00 SERG and the Brembo upgrade you question on the 02 Road King. Lyndall pads on all of them.
First things first; the most cost effective change you can make to improve brake effectiveness and feel is swap the stock pads for the Lyndalls. If you're not sure if you want to do the more expensive swaps start there. You might be satisfied with that improvement on its own.
As for the Brembo conversion; yes you can. Though your horse might already be part way out of the stable on the retrofit.
The calipers mount on the legs as a bolt on. There's also no difference in the calipers for ABS or not. The calipers need an 11.8" rather than an 11.5" rotor though. So if your wheels are already supplied with a new (expensive) rotor for your original stock brakes you've got an unfortunate redundant expense in another set of rotors.
The other part that should be changed is the master cylinder. You'll need the Brembo era master cylinder to really utilize the Brembo calipers. I know two bikes that haven't done this. It works. But the feel at the lever is different. It's not as good. The feedback you get isn't as good.
Also, if you replace the master cylinder you're likely buying some other parts solely for cosmetics. Changing the master cylinder means changing the brake lever on the right side. The levers don't look the same. So you're probably then looking at getting a clutch perch and clutch lever for the other side too.
On mine the good HHI calipers compare to other bikes with Performance Machine calipers you mentioned. They are a recognizable improvement from the stock calipers. The feedback just short of lockup is better and they clamp more quickly. Overall control and braking is better than stock.
The Brembo retro on the Road King is comparable but not identical to the HHI upgrade on the SEEG. Both clamp at comparable levels. The feedback to the rider is better on the Brembo equipped bike. I'm less likely to lock up the Brembo equipped Road King than I am the HHI equipped Electra Glide. This is even though the Road King is a considerably lighter bike. Pretty sure the stopping distance between the two is nearly identical despite that difference in control feel.
Hope this helped at least a little.
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Topic: To Upgrade or not to upgrade (Read 2602 times)