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[Ceej]

Just a thought here, has anyone removed one of the discs on HD Touring rig? My thoughts are as follows:

1. That rim needs to be seen!
2. I don't really tour 2 up loaded with gear since the woman has her own bike
3. Harley FLH's have a pretty good weight distribution front to rear allowing for more rear brake power than lighter bikes
4. I will be upgrading to Brembos

I was thinkin the upgraded Brembos front left and rear would be similar power wise to stock allowing the wheel to shine on? Since a single left is OK on  a fatboy I'm assuming the dual is designed in for the 2-up loaded aspect. When I am 2 up she requires me to drive like Grandpa anyways. Just curious as I prepare for the big brake purchase.

[110tHunDer]

A guy here by the handle "Nite-Al" has done this on his cherry SEEG, only he stayed with the stock caliper.  I wondered how that could possibly provide enough stopping power, but he said it worked fine.  I would be more inclined to attempt this with a Brembo upgrade, as your approach suggests.  It does sweeten the look of the front end, that's for sure.  I searched through a couple member's photo galleries thinking I could locate a decent pic of the front of Nite-Al's bike, but was unsuccessful.  Perhaps Nite-Al himself, or someone who has a photo of his bike will be along with photographic evidence.

[110tHunDer]

Ha!  I knew there was one somewhere . . . . . . . . . . it was in MY gallery!  [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] [smiley=oops.gif]

[spydglide]

A guy here by the handle "Nite-Al" has done this on his cherry SEEG, only he stayed with the stock caliper.

[Ceej]

Yeah, thats the ticket, I also found his photobucket pics and I dropped him a PM though it appears he hasn't been on the site in a while so we'll see. In the Photo bucket pics I don't see the mounts so I wonder if he replaced the lower leg on the right side. Also 103, thanks for the info - it was you pics of the Brembos on your bike that started me down this road. That along with the fact that I took my 95 RK out for a spin after riding the SEEG for the past month and was shocked at the difference! I called QTMI today but the harley guy was out til monday. Is the rear caliper the same as the front right one just with the rear bracket?

http://photobucket.com/albums/y33/Nite-Al/?action=view

[110tHunDer]

. . . Also 103, thanks for the info - it was you pics of the Brembos on your bike that started me down this road. That along with the fact that I took my 95 RK out for a spin after riding the SEEG for the past month and was shocked at the difference!  Is the rear caliper the same as the front right one just with the rear bracket?

ceej, sorry to be partially responsible for cash vacating your wallet! [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]  Coming off of a Japanese sport tourer with triple Nissin 4 piston calipers prior to the Harley's, I was never quite happy with the performance of the braking system on these heavy bikes.  Yep, the rear uses the same caliper as the right front, just a different bracket.  It comes packaged that way (caliper and bracket) from QTMI, at least it did from Drag Specialties, which is where my dealer ordered them from.

[110tHunDer]

Decided to pull this one down from the photobucket spread.

[hd-dude]

What a differnece t [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]he mirror finish thunderstars make, The open wheel looks really good!

[tmo465]

The local dealership owner here has done this to several touring bikes he owns, the last being an 05 Bananna.  I do believe when we talked about it, you have to change the master cylinder for the front brake to keep the pressure in line with the single rotor application.  

I had a 98 Ultra and it only had the single rotor stock. But I agree,,it sure does open up the front end and looks great.

Tom

[VaEagle]

Guys I have to agree the single front caliper does open up the front wheel and make for a pretty sight. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
I do think you should worry about decreased breaking ability though. The problem can be with most bikers not having enough experience with emergency braking conditions and a true picture of their or their bike's stopping abilites. Many bikers are afraid of using the front brake fully because they think they will go over the handlebar or do a "stoppie" with the rear in the air.
I rode a fatboy since 1997 and wished I had both front discs.I don't want just adequate for my brakes I want good or better.
I would hate to think that someone couldn't avoid an impact because they increased their braking distance by removing a front brake disc.
Sometimes "seat of the pants" feelings work but it would be interesting to measure actual stopping distances under panic stop conditions in a parking lot or somewhere safe to be sure.Gentle or average braking will not give accurate results. Yes I bet changing to Brembo or P.M. 6 caliper type systems with a larger rotor may help to compensate for that removed front disc.
I also wonder if it would increase brake wear on the remaining brakes and mean more frequent replacement too? I know it may reduce replacement costs with less parts to replace.
Ride safe folks! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

[porthole]

When I first saw Al's bike I loved the idea. PM'd him for the details and he assured me the bike has almost no noticeable difference in stopping capabilities. He also gave me the breakdown on the changes but I'll have to dig a little deeper for that.

It is something I will seriously consider if I change to the Thunderstar  wheels when my chrome stars to peel   The look is awesome!

[jimp]

Their is no way I will sacrifice braking for looks.

[Twolanerider]

It looks great.  Adds a lot of style and the open view is wonderful.  Shows off the front wheel splendidly.  Believe everyone when they say it feels good under normal braking too.  And I ain't doing it in a million years.

[Screamin]

Their is no way I will sacrifice braking for looks.

Agreed. Stoppin's a heck of a lot more important than stylin. But that front wheel sure does look good.

[spydglide]

Agreed. Stoppin's a heck of a lot more important than stylin.

That didn't use to be the case when some of us were young & foolish and had those little 'styling' front brakes on the choppers that just would keep you from rolling back on a hill.  I know I'm not the only one that's been that crazy.    :-/  har!  spyder