SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
New to CB400 four and new here! Front brake improvement?
Mikep328:
Hi all! A few days ago I acquired a '76 CB400 four, took it out for my first ride. Fun little bike...except for the front brake which I found totally inadequate.
Subsequently I found this site and read all the posts I could find, seeing much re the "wooden" feel and generally mediocre stopping power. On my bike the lever is firm, no sponginess. It just doesn't apply any real stopping power, regardless of how much pressure I apply on the lever. The bike has 13,276 miles and is in excellent, well serviced condition with a lot of receipts for work done, to include replacing the cam chain tensioner as well as other engine "freshening." The only modification to the bike from stock is an electronic ignition.
I contacted a well-known vintage Honda spares supplier, asking them for recommendations to improve the brake. I was surprised that rather than trying to sell me a new rotor, new lines, new master cylinder, etc), the response was, "New pads may help but the brakes on a CB400F were never great." :(
The front brake feels pretty much the same as the stock front brake did on my '73 Norton Commando - maybe even a bit worse - before I replaced the OEM master cylinder with a Brembo from Colorado Norton Works. That, a set of braided SS lines, and some more aggressive pads in the OEM caliper transformed that brake. It is now acts and feels like modern brakes. Of course the down side is that the master cylinder does not look anything like the OEM version.
My general thought is to go down a similar path though from searching and the suppliers response, it doesn't sound like anything is going to make the sort of transformation I am looking for.
So...I'm wondering if anyone has done something similar (different master cylinder) or found some tricks/tweaks/mods to the OEM front brake that I have not managed to find via the search function. Also, what are the most aggressive brake pads for street riding, including aggressive riding on narrow, twisty roads? I don't care about rotor wear. If I had to replace a rotor every 10,000 miles to get good brakes, that's fine.
Thanks!
Trigger:
Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC ;)
It is a 70's bike and they don't have modern braking grip or stopping power. They were just a simple upgrade from a drum brake.
davidcumbria:
Welcome Mike- great forum this.
I have exactly the same diagnosis about my 550k front brake which has a new master cylinder and caliper piston and pads. Pull as hard as I think reasonable with full hand not two fingers and retardation is pathetic- need to use rear brake all the time. Pads did not look especially glazed. My plan is to rebuild with braided lines and to clean the disc very thoroughly.
Also need to check the master cylinder piston diameter which should be 14 mm. Some aftermarket units are 5/8 th inch which is 15.9 mm and that would increase the wooden feel. Also I have read that as a first disc brake effort Honda were worried about lock ups so made it intentionally weak.
A double disc conversion seems quite common on the 500/550 but I do wonder if a smaller diameter mc piston would help. The lever movement is very small so I could cope with more travel. Not seen any recommendations for smaller diameter master cylinders. Agree that safety is a much more important priority than originality.
Johnny4428:
Hi Mike, welcome to the forum, great place to be with very helpful people. I too have the pathetic front brake on my 550. But as advised going to give it a good toasting to bed it in properly. Nothing to lose.
Bryanj:
Its easy to say you dont mind changing rotors but finding one isnt, no aftermarket to my knowledge.
Pads will make difference, as will making sure the pivot is free and caliper adjusted, lines might make a small diffeence if yours are original.
Apart from that its just brake earlier!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version