dual front brake conversion?

Hi guys,
My 1980 Kz550 A1 has a single side rotor/caliper on the front left side. Can a rotor be mounted to the right side of the wheel? I already have a caliper and rotor I can use. Besides brake lines and rotor bolts, is there anything else I need to make this work? As far as brake lines go... Should I just run 2 lines straight from the M/C to the calipers or should I keep it as a 1 to 2 config?

Thanks

I just seen the thread that bkitchen started. Will this be the same for me?

ive never seen a stock 550 with dual discs;)

wireman wrote:

ive never seen a stock 550 with dual discs;)

All years of the GPz550's had them, so I'm pretty sure there's a way that it can be done.

cnyl wrote:

Hi guys,
My 1980 Kz550 A1 has a single side rotor/caliper on the front left side. Can a rotor be mounted to the right side of the wheel? I already have a caliper and rotor I can use. Besides brake lines and rotor bolts, is there anything else I need to make this work? As far as brake lines go... Should I just run 2 lines straight from the M/C to the calipers or should I keep it as a 1 to 2 config?

Thanks

I've done this to my kz1000a2 already.
As long as your hub is pre-drilled for the rotor there shouldn't be too much trouble. With the front wheel off remove the right side dust cover (part #14025-1042) and see if the mount holes are there. If they are, you're set. Put the rotor on and put the dust cover away! If not, then you'll need to find a wheel to fit that is pre-drilled. Or do it yourself - this probably isn't easy or safe.

Make sure to get the right caliper and rotor bolts. Grade 8 or 10 will do nicely. Most chassis bolts are grade 5. Most hardware store stuff is grade 2(unless specifically marked grade 5)

Two lines versus one? There are splitters available from the bikes with dual discs that may mount to where your hose joint (part #43061-1002)fits. They pop up on ebay from time to time. Sport bikers when converting to steel lines would often eliminate their splitter and use a double bolt at the master cylinder - supposed to be better - but for our level of machine, its a matter of which you like the look of. Stock or racy.

Finally, do get steel lines and new pads and you'll be pleased with the change.

hope this is useful...

Thanks guys,
I'll pull the wheel and dust cover to see if it's possible. By removing the splitter will I see a big difference in brake feel?

cnyl wrote:

By removing the splitter will I see a big difference in brake feel?

Probably not noticebale enough to feel, unless you're racing. And even then probably not a great diff.
IIRC, running equal length brake hoses w/out a splitter is reportedly better because both calipers will receive equal amount of brake pressure. With a splitter, there's also a (remote) chance of a passage becoming blocked and limiting/preventing pressure to one caliper.

I'm not sure if your 550 is like my 650, but the splitter on my bike also houses the front brake light switch. So you'd need to figure out a way to get around that.
FWIW, "upgrading" to the master cylinder from a newer sports bike can tackle all issues pertaining to this - powers two calipers, has the brake switch incorporated into the master cylinder (just hook your wires up to it), and most run remote reservoirs which makes mounting less of a chore. Plus replacement/rebuild parts are more readily available should you need them.

I scored a complete master cylinder w/remote reservoir (PLUS steel braided lines!) from a '92 ZX10 for about$20 shipped about a year ago on eBay that I'm planning on using on my 650.
The only thing I need to replace is the bent brake lever and it's good to go!

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2007/06/10 13:24