Hey All-
Okay, so on my GL1200, I've put 5k miles on it (it's at 17k now). The brakes were all gone through by previous owner at 10,000 miles (it sat for a LONG, LONG TIME).
Just for background, I'm a bicyclist... was a competetive cyclist for a half-dozen years, have over a half-million miles 'behind bars' pedalling, and I'm perfectly comfortable being locked into pedals, sitting still at a stoplight, maintaining my balance waiting for the light to change. I'm also very comfortable using nothing but the front brake... after all, when you're REALLY braking, that's where 100% of your braking effort comes from.
Many, Many, Many years ago (like... three decades ago) I swapped the front end of my CX500D for a GL1000 front end, and one of the major reasons I did that, is so that I'd have dual front discs. Obviously, it makes the pads last longer, improves heat dissipation, and finally, equalizes braking torque between the fork tubes, so the frontend's action is more 'supple' under braking.
Now, I knew from the git-go that the GL had 'integrated' braking, which I've never cared-for... as I prefer my braking to be totally independant- I choose when to use my back brake, so stepping on the pedal and having the front act is very unappreciated. Seein's how I"ll be putting a trailer hitch on it, the independant action of brakes under my bike's Anti-Lock Braking and Vehicle Stability System (who's processor is implanted between the driver's ears) is very, very necessary.
What is EXTREMELY unsatisfactory, is that the front caliper which is STILL active, is basically worn out already... and it wouldn't be, if it had a partner on the other side helping out... and of course, it'd have better fork slider motion.
I will be converting this to non-integrated braking, which will involve plumbing, and two master cylinder changes. The former, just intelligent application of common parts... the latter, requiring research. The front master cylinder will require greater bore. The rear, however, will require less.
Has anyone done a dis-integration (a divorce of braking?) already? If so, what master cylinders did you use?
Finally... for stock calipers, are there any preferences to brake pad type, brand, etc., for someone who's more than willing to grab the front binder with confidence? :fishin:
Okay, so on my GL1200, I've put 5k miles on it (it's at 17k now). The brakes were all gone through by previous owner at 10,000 miles (it sat for a LONG, LONG TIME).
Just for background, I'm a bicyclist... was a competetive cyclist for a half-dozen years, have over a half-million miles 'behind bars' pedalling, and I'm perfectly comfortable being locked into pedals, sitting still at a stoplight, maintaining my balance waiting for the light to change. I'm also very comfortable using nothing but the front brake... after all, when you're REALLY braking, that's where 100% of your braking effort comes from.
Many, Many, Many years ago (like... three decades ago) I swapped the front end of my CX500D for a GL1000 front end, and one of the major reasons I did that, is so that I'd have dual front discs. Obviously, it makes the pads last longer, improves heat dissipation, and finally, equalizes braking torque between the fork tubes, so the frontend's action is more 'supple' under braking.
Now, I knew from the git-go that the GL had 'integrated' braking, which I've never cared-for... as I prefer my braking to be totally independant- I choose when to use my back brake, so stepping on the pedal and having the front act is very unappreciated. Seein's how I"ll be putting a trailer hitch on it, the independant action of brakes under my bike's Anti-Lock Braking and Vehicle Stability System (who's processor is implanted between the driver's ears) is very, very necessary.
What is EXTREMELY unsatisfactory, is that the front caliper which is STILL active, is basically worn out already... and it wouldn't be, if it had a partner on the other side helping out... and of course, it'd have better fork slider motion.
I will be converting this to non-integrated braking, which will involve plumbing, and two master cylinder changes. The former, just intelligent application of common parts... the latter, requiring research. The front master cylinder will require greater bore. The rear, however, will require less.
Has anyone done a dis-integration (a divorce of braking?) already? If so, what master cylinders did you use?
Finally... for stock calipers, are there any preferences to brake pad type, brand, etc., for someone who's more than willing to grab the front binder with confidence? :fishin: