[Karma]

The search function didn't return anything. Anyway, I was working on the bike today & noticed the front wheel seems to have all the space and framework for a second disc brake on the right side. How hard it is to add this? I would think you would have to modify the brake lines and reservoir.

 

[lucky]

well you have to get a gl500I front end with triple tree thats the only smart way to do it and the easiest way

 

[Karma]

well you have to get a gl500I front end with triple tree thats the only smart way to do it and the easiest way

Honestly......I don't know what that means.



But I found this site and am going over it:



My link



I think replacing the brake lines with new stainless steel ones along with new calipers would really add to the functionality and aesthetic. I personally wish I could just buy new, better discs, calipers, lines, and MC's and stick them on the stock wheel.

 

[Karma]

What about just getting the setup from a Turbo & sticking that on, would that work?

 

[WisconsinCX]

recent post

 

[BrianB]

The factory forks (on my 78 at least) don't have the spot to mount the caliper on the right side. So you are looking for a set of forks that have the caliper mounts both sides. Basically the easiest method is to find a whole front end from a compatible donor bike and swap that onto the CX.

 

[Karma]

recent post

Nice! That's exactly what I was thinking about.



So....it's not just like adding a disc, caliper, line, and MC. You'd have to get whole new front forks....

I see the reason why now. I'm, not sure why I missed it (too tired?).



btw, what's a "triple tree"?

 

[50gary]

Triple clamps or triple tree or even "Yokes" (in England)are terms used to describe the cast iron pieces (in the case of our CX) that hold (clamp) the fork tubes in position. Two forks plus the steering stem equals three main items hense the name "triple" There is an upper and lower triple clamp. The steering bearings are in the steering head tube, the steering stem in in that tube. Knee bone connected to the thigh bone ..no wait I'm getting carried away.

Cheers, 50gary

 

[Karma]

Triple clamps or triple tree or even "Yokes" (in England)are terms used to describe the cast iron pieces (in the case of our CX) that hold (clamp) the fork tubes in position. Two forks plus the steering stem equals three main items hense the name "triple" There is an upper and lower triple clamp. The steering bearings are in the steering head tube, the steering stem in in that tube. Knee bone connected to the thigh bone ..no wait I'm getting carried away.

Cheers, 50gary

Do you mean the top fork bridge? Why not just swap the forks from a GL Interstate and then stick on the disk, caliper, line, and MC? Why replace the top? (unless the top is unique for the forks as well?...)

 

[50gary]

Do you mean the top fork bridge? Why not just swap the forks from a GL Interstate and then stick on the disk, caliper, line, and MC? Why replace the top? (unless the top is unique for the forks as well?...)

The triple clamps and fork tubes to which they clamp must match in diameter. A 33mm fork tube must of course have 33mm triple clamps a 35mm fork tube must have a 35mm triple clamp and so on. Larger diameter fork tubes are preferred they are much stiffer to resist flex induced by cornering and braking load etc.

Cheers, 50gary

 

[RAFster122s]

The triple clamps and fork tubes to which they clamp must match in diameter. A 33mm fork tube must of course have 33mm triple clamps a 35mm fork tube must have a 35mm triple clamp and so on. Larger diameter fork tubes are preferred they are much stiffer to resist flex induced by cornering and braking load etc.

Cheers, 50gary

So, is the stock CX500 a 33 mm fork tube and the GL Interstate a 35mm fork tube?



If it is a 35mm fork on the CX500, then you could take the forks off a Kawa EX-500A if you wanted the more forward position of the Kawa Ninja style front bars. Their triple tree doesn't have accommodations for handle bars like the stock bars.



Yamaha R6 forks are used as an upgrade by many SOHC4 owners.

Twin or quad piston calipers will improve braking ability significantly and the stock SOHC4 550 front forks don't do a good job dampening due to soft springs and less than optimal valving.



David

 

[Shep]

The forks from a CB400N/CB750/CB900(Old version) go straight onto a CX500.One of mine had CB400N forks and CB900 Brake callipers.I've since put stock forks on but only because a seal went in the CB400N ones and I couldn't be bothered to fix them as I had a spare pair of CX forks ready to go in.The CB900 callipers are still on the bike.



Note:The dual disc versions have a union under the headstock.





Number 2 on here,



http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cx500a-1980england_model16465/partslist/F05.html



A single brake line goes to it and then two come off it.However this can be left out and a single brake line can be taken to the right hand side Calliper and then a double banjo bolt used and a short brake line taken across the front mudguard to the left hand side calliper.







Stainless steel double banjo bolt M10x1.25

 

[50gary]

[quote name='Shep' date='27 August 2010 - 07:45 PM' timestamp='1282952713' post='8549']

The forks from a CB400N/CB750/CB900(Old version) go straight onto a CX500.One of mine had CB400N forks and CB900 Brake callipers.I've since put stock forks on but only because a seal went in the CB400N ones and I couldn't be bothered to fix them as I had a spare pair of CX forks ready to go in.The CB900 callipers are still on the bike.



Note:The dual disc versions have a union under the headstock.





Number 2 on here,



http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cx500a-1980england_model16465/partslist/F05.html



A single brake line goes to it and then two come off it.However this can be left out and a single brake line can be taken to the right hand side Calliper and then a double banjo bolt used and a short brake line taken across the front mudguard to the left hand side calliper.





Race style is to use the double banjo bolt at the master cylinder and run two full length lines to each left and right caliper.

Cheers, 50gary

 

[Karma]

So if I was buying a new MC that can support two calipers, do you think this would be good or would it be better to buy a MC that's brand new instead?

 

[Blindstitch]

Brand new is the way to go.

 

[Karma]

That's my initial thought. These parts can be bought new but the engineering would still be 30 years old. If there's a new and improved MC I'd rather get that. Do you have any suggestions? I'm not sure what specs it would have to have (I have no experience with the whole brake system; after seeing Iraqi Vet's road rash & hearing about the brakes locking up replacing what I can is my new project).

 

[Blindstitch]

Something with around a 15-16mm piston would do just fine.

 

[Karma]

Something with around a 15-16mm piston would do just fine.

Why a 15-16mm piston? Is this the "bore diameter"?

 

[Blindstitch]

It has to do with this chart.

 

[Karma]

OK....so the MC has to match the calipers. So would I have to buy the calipers along with the MC?



EDIT: I'm reading the sticky on aftermarket MC's.