Brake link removed at assembly?

OK, So I ended up getting a brand new 08 VFR shipped from a wharehouse after a disaster with a leftover 06 that I posted about. Im very curious after much reading if 2 things could be accomplished during assembly...I would like to get rid of the center stand and the brake front/rear linkage. I was hopeing some of you who have had experience with the brake thing could let me know if this would be easy for the dealer to do? I couldnt find a "how to" on it. I just came off a 2006 ZX10R, I ride hard and I dont like the idea of my rear brake being on at lean when my weight is over the front tire. Seems like a nightmare in the making! Also I must admit loseing the weight apeals to me also. Thanks, Jt

 

Hi that will be a nice bike! I think the linked brakes make the front master cylinder act on one of the rear caliper pistons, and the rear master cylinder act on one or more of the front calipers pistons. Not sure about removing the linking; maybe teeing in to a front line somehow to activate only the front calipers from the front and a rear line to activate the rear caliper from the rear. If by chance you bought the ABS model I don't know if that's possible.

 

Thank you, I read that there is a bit of hardware totaling a few pounds involved with it, but I have yet to find what it entails to remove the system. I was thinking maybe out of the crate it could be possible to simply not install it.....but I havnt the faintest how it works yet so I dont know if I should even ask? Bike will arrive next week sometime. Im excited to ride something a little more comfortable for a change! :smile: PS: not an ABS Model.

 

Sounds good! Yes I'd imagine it is several pounds of hardware because of the extra brake lines and piping involved. I think there is a diagram in the service manual maybe I can scan it.

I don't think it can just be not installed, because then you would have one or more caliper pistons on the front not being used, and the same on the rear. The brakes would still work but braking ability would be reduced.

 

Ahhhh, that makes sense, so there must be a modification to fix that problem. The dealer will most likely not oblige then.....oh well, do it myself later I guess....If anyone can link me a "how to" thread I woudl be thankfull! :redface:

 

There might be a how to somewhere on here; I'm new on this board. I just looked in the manual. It looks like the rear is a three piston caliper, and the front master cylinder acts on one of those pistons. The front has two three piston calipers, and the rear master cylinder acts one one piston of one of the front calipers. There is some proportioning valve involved.

 

Hm it might be more complicated and my previous posts are not correct. I found this article on HRCA. It says there's a 3rd master cylinder specifically for the linked brake system:

Source: Knowledge is (Braking) Power

Knowledge is (Braking) Power :: HRCA - 8/12/2003

To appreciate the VFR800FI Interceptor's unique Linked Braking System, you’ve first got to understand it.

Perhaps the single least understood feature in all of the expansive motorcycle lineup from Honda® has nothing to do with the mysteries of internal combustion, the geometry of suspension, the arcane invisibilities of rake and trail, the black arts of two-stroke tuning, the alchemy of aluminum chassis, carbon-fiber bodywork or titanium valves. No, it’s something far more mundane—and far more a part of everyone’s riding experience. It’s something as simple and as baffling as brakes.

While many motorcycles in Honda’s lineup use conventional brakes that isolate the front and rear stoppers, an ever-increasing number offer a more sophisticated option—linked brakes. Yet, even here, the systems vary widely on machines like the CBR®1100XX, the Gold Wing®, the ST™1300, the VTX™1800, the Silver Wing®, and even the Metropolitan™.

Each system is designed to best serve each type of motorcycle. Yet one system really stands out, and that’s the VFR800FI Interceptor’s Linked Braking System.

That’s hardly a surprise. The VFR™ is an incredibly capable motorcycle, and as such faces a very demanding set of parameters. It’s got to behave like a sportbike, a touring bike, a commuter, and more. And it’s got to excel in each category.

Ah, but the brakes. The Interceptor® actually features three master cylinders: one for the front brakes, one for the rear, and a third specifically for the LBS™ system. In addition, each of the two front brake discs as well as the single brake disc are gripped by a three-piston caliper. Three discs, three calipers, three master cylinders: got that so far?

Squeezing the handlebar-mounted front brake lever actuates the outer two pistons in the left-front caliper and all three pistons in the right-front caliper. As the left caliper begins to grab, it in turn pivots slightly and actuates the remote third master cylinder, located next to the caliper itself; this in turn actuates the center piston in the rear-brake caliper. Press the rear brake pedal with your right foot, and you’ll actuate the two outer pistons of the rear caliper as well as the center piston in the left-front caliper.

So far, so good, but there’s more. A Proportional Control Valve (PCV) and the third master cylinder vary the amount of braking force at the calipers depending upon the amount of squeeze or press at the front or rear brake controls.

How does it work? Seamlessly, invisibly, and powerfully. There’s an adage all riders come to appreciate: Three brakes stop you better than two, and two stop you better than one. With the Interceptor’s LBS, you’ll always have more than one brake disc working for you, and you’ll soon come to appreciate the additional peace of mind the system offers. Couple this with the available Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) optional, and you’ll experience one of the most capable, trust-inspiring braking setups in all of motorcycling, especially over poor pavement surfaces or unfamiliar road conditions.

It’s not as flashy as multi-colored bodywork. It’s not as attention-getting as a ton of chrome. But the Honda’s Linked Braking System™ is one of the biggest advances in motorcycling within the last decade. It’s here to stay. And once you understand it, you’ll be glad it’s here.

 

Hmmm, cool artical. Does sound very complex to remove the link....I'll just leave it alone for now and see if it upsets the bike under aggressive riding, Im sure I will find out!

 

There is a member who has done this. It entailed taking the bike down to the frame at the rear end. It seems most of the linkage is near then engine at the rear end. It does remove a couple pounds but the work is serious and not worth it in many people's opinions.
As far as control is concerned... there are no reports that I am aware of blaming linked brakes for a crash. The ratio of pistons activated is one/three both front and back. So the rear will not lock up if you grab a handful of front brake. Many experienced riders have considered this mod but thought better of it when the job was researched and when they relized there was no loss of control(even in aggressive ride situations).

 

Thats good input, thanks.

 

I haven't driven my viffer too hard yet, but in firm stops it feels very solid to me. The ratios of the link might be a bit different, since the front actually has six total pistons in the two, three piston calipers. Not sure if they're all the same bore size. Plus whatever that proportioning cylinder thing does with the pressure in the linked pistons.

 

try it,,,you will like it

I thought the linked brake was an idea waiting for a reason. It is a lot of work to remove and get right ( replacement master cylinders will be required)

Having "lived with" the 5th gen stock setup for 8 years, I can say it's pretty much transparent.

Give it a try

CalG

 

There are very capable riders on the track who have never complained about the linked brakes--and some have never even noticed them. They are transparent enough for me as well. However if you just don't like the principle of linked brakes and want to get rid of it, good luck.

If you take a look at the left front caliper, you'll see the third "master cylinder" bolted on. It's basically a proportioning valve that varies the amount of pressure based on braking force applied to that caliper. Note that the caliper is solidly mounted on a pivot--the top "mounting" point appears to be the third "master cylinder". It looks pretty brilliant actually. The linking of the brakes isn't static, it's dynamic--which probably explains why it is mostly transparent in operation.

 

even under heavy spirited riding you "never" notice it


Even IF it was a simple job the Dealer Will NOT do it for you .... It would void the Warranty

 

I have no complaints with mine. It seems to make the braking feel stronger I guess, or maybe make the bike feel not as heavy, more sporty in a sense. I do notice it at low speeds when riding through parking lots and such making turns where I would normally only use rear brake. Never throws my balance off, but it is strange when the front dives.
First thing tomorrow though, the bike will be on the center stand and with the rear wheel spinning I'm gonna get some front brake and see what happens. I'll see if its strong enough to stall the motor. Can't wait...

 

LOL, sounds like fun, let me know how it turns out! If you read the whole post you will see that I changed my mind about asking the dealer, and I am reconsidering doing it myself. Sounds like its not much of an issue and the time, energy and money spent removing is most likely not worth the weight savings. I'll settle for getting rid of the center stand. :smile:

 

I have ABS as well as the linked brakes on my 2005 and I've been on the track riding quite hard trail braking and such into corners and I've never experienced any issue with the rear brakes locking up due to them being linked.

 

Well nothing happened. Running and the wheel spinning in 1st gear, I pulled in the clutch and immediately squeezed the front brake. Nothing, wheel just slowed down at the normal rate. Anyone have a technical explanation for this? Perhaps I will put it on the front stand next and try the rear brake. Probably not today though.

 

I think that because the bike isn't moving when you apply the front brake,the piston on the front left brake doesn't apply pressure to the linked brake master cyclinder. If you look at the left front brake caliper you'll see that it is attached to a lever arm that has another brake piston at the top of the pivot. Maybe you could push on the lever and actavate the rear brake.