Brake Caliper Swap - What fits?

Well, it seems my front brake rotors are probably in need of a rebuild.
Instead of the hassle of rebuilding both calipers with new seals etc., this seems like a convenient time to simply swap them for some 4-piston calipers (OE calipers are 2-piston "sliding" type / no inner pistons).

The bike is a '94 VFR.
Current rotors are EBC MotoLites in stock dimensions.
I'll probably also go for S/S lines & EBC HH's as well.

I'm looking for the cheapest possible option, so a direct swap without new spacers etc.
Most likely Honda calipers from a CBR600 or some other model.

* What 4-piston front calipers will be a direct no-hassles swap?

* Anyone have any used Honda or others that they'll sell me cheap?
(I can go on eBay, but I'd prefer to do business with other VFR'rs.

* Where can I get inexpensive S/S brake lines?

Thanks,
Rat

 

There are no hassle-free swaps. To upgrade to 4-pots from a super hawk/ firestorm or early blade you need to change the front fork legs or the complete fork.

 

Hmm...
Not the news I was hoping for (or expecting).
Thanks tho!

Anyone done this?
Any input on easiest/cheapest way for better calipers? :unsure:

Anyone know of a source for inexpensive S/S-braided lines?

If swapping calipers is an expensive PIA I'd at least like better lines and pads ('natch) as long as I'm tearing everything apart.

 

Look at Spiegler lines. They are best lines out there, and they have a kit for the VFR. It ain't cheap, but that's probably b/c there are 8 lines to the kit. Ask for Mathias and he will hook you up.

As for doing a front brake swap, I would think the easiest way would be to get a set of RC51 forks, upper & lower triples, and calipers. However, I would rather upgrade to a radial brake set up, so I wonder if you got the front end off of a newer CBR1000rr or one of the newer Ninja's for example, that already have radial set ups. I think no matter what avenue that you would take to do this, it would involve a serious revamp of the front end of the stock VFR components.

 

I put Brembo 4 pots on but had to make new mount adaptors to do it. If you have a milling machine, it isn't hard to do. I pulled them off when I sold the bike (didn't want liability issues)and will put them on my Kawaski bagger when the stockers need the next service. I got the idea from going through the Yoyodyne and GP tech websites.

 

Well, thanks for the input everyone!

However, in light of all of your info, and in consideration of my budget (near nil), it looks like I'll have to forego fancy binders.

I just rebuilt the forks recently, and don't want to throw that money away and deal with that hassle again; I was hoping it would be simple & straightforward.

So, I suppose I'll just settle for a caliper rebuild kit, HH pads & fluid flush for now, although I'd still like to go with the least expensive S/S lines I can find (definitely needn't be name-brand...) as long as I have everything torn apart.

The bike cost me $300- (Reconstructed Title for cosmetics) and has been a study in Lowest Possible Cost (& personal elbow grease) every step of the way.
I guess I'll just continue the trend! :redface:

Thanks for everyone's help.
Rat

Yeah, I got to thinking about exactly this yesterday...

 

Hi there, did you find any front four piston calipers to fit on your VFR, I have a 1996 VFR750 which has 2 piston calipers and went to a wreckers in Sydney and could only find a VFR88 4 piston for one side but the other was linked and had casting's etc attached.

 

The problem you face is that your bike has sliding calipers, which mount onto a second plate with the sliding mounts, which then bolt to the fork legs. The bolt spacings for the sliding mount are unlike the mounts used for a 4-piston caliper (which doesn't need to slide). As your 96 VFR has 41mm fork tubes, the simplest way to get a lower fork leg that will take a range of 4-piston calipers is to buy some bent VTR1000F forks. These will fit onto your existing fork tubes. You may then need to mess around with mounting the mudguard or use a VTR mudguard if the fork spacing side-to-side is the same.

If you need any VTR measurements let me know as I have one in my garage. I put VTR lowers onto my 99 VFR so I could lose the linked brakes and use 4-piston calipers.

 

Now you know why many have just swapped the front end for a USD setup, with upgraded caliper, rotors and such.

Larry

 

Thanks, I was hoping it may've been easier as I'm finishing a rest' H2A 750 Kawasaki you can see on Facebook, I will start hunting around for a VTR front end, what about the front wheel, is it a 17 inch as my bike handles well.

I used to race super bikes with Gardiner and Magee.

Cheers

 

VTR's use a 17 x 3.5 front wheel, the same size as the VFR. Ideally you should keep your VFR wheel and discs, just swap the fork lowers and the calipers (plus master cylinder). If the VTR forks are not too bent you could use the rebound damping adjuster and fork cap too.

 

Wrecker enquiry

I rang one this morning who said he sold a VTR set of forks recently for AUD$ 750 so will look for calipers and bracket. I used to race SBK's with Gardiner and Magee etc so I know what needs to happen.

Check out my FB if you like (Emanuel Blanco)

 

I picked up a set of lightly bent VTR forks last year for $200 NZ pesos.


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