3rd 4th 5th generation Brake Calipers

How interchangeable are the brake calipers on these generations
Are there years better than others
Are the brake pads all the same?

 

Good question. The 5th gens are way different, that's when Honda introduced the linked brake system, now as far as the 3rd and 4th, they are pretty basic, wouldn't surprise me here that they are the same.

 

anything is possible, how much time ya wanna invest

 

No practical difference between 3rd and 4th gen brakes that I'm aware of. They work fine when maintained and used with braided steel lines. But, they do lack bling...

Ciao,

 

A better thing to do (a little more major perhaps) is swap the lower fork legs for VTR1000F units (use the 3/4/5 uppers) and then get some decent 4-piston brakes off e.g. CBR600F4, CBR929, CBR954, SP2 etc. I'd guess a pair of lightly bent VTR forks won't set you back much, you might even be able to re-use the rebound damping adjusters if they are still straight.