Caliper Locations

Can someone explain to me why two of my bikes have the calipers mounted in front of the forks and the SR has them mounted behind? I have been pouring through various pictures and it seems to me that kawasaki put them sometimes in front sometimes behind, it sounds like a friday night I know but I just want to know WHY????

I think the answer is simple...in 1978, Kawasaki changed the position of the front disks from leading to trailing...for all models:) (at least the models I have info on (KZ1000, KZ650, and KZ750(2))

Post edited by: Mcdroid, at: 2007/03/23 04:07

Dont know WHY....but for what came where, and when (on 73-80 900's and 1000's, anyway )....check here .......

Here's my understanding of the differences, someone please correct me if I'm wrong here:

Leading calipers (mounted on the front of the forks) place more weight in front of the axle causing the steering to feel heavier, especially when braking, since the braking force (no, not Jedi force ) is trying to make the calipers pull away from the forks.

Trailing calipers (mounted on the rear of the forks) place that weight behind the axle and make both the steering and braking easier, plus the force is being pushed against the forks, which certainly aren't going to budge.

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2007/03/23 09:03

well I guess it wasnt a stupid question then. My 650 B and C are both in front and my 79 SR is in back, or at least it will be now I set it up and was looking at my old pictures and discovered I had it backwards. Could explain why the fender was a bugger to get on!

Thanks a lot for your answers

xc

so you are telling me it had nothing to do with that letter i wrote to kawasaki heavy industries lincoln nebraska in the spring of 77 telling them i was only 12 years old but i already was eyeballin the 75 z1 in the garage and promised id still be screwing with them 30 years later if they would just put the calipers on backside because they looked so much cooler that way?:S :blink: :ohmy: :blush:

The bast answer about brake caliper location is found in a Cycle (or is it Cycle World?) article in the archives.
An article in PDF format in our file base
Go to the bottom of page 2 and you'll find your answer.

Post edited by: pstrbrc, at: 2007/03/25 14:00