I've owned a few bikes before my 1994 CBR 1000F. The bike is a great bike, but in my opinion the brakes are not up to par. I know it's a 12 year old machine also. The bike with the best brakes that I've owned was my 2001 FZ1.

My question is, when we only hit the front brake level, the LBS system is only using 2 out of the front 3 pistons, some force also goes to one of the rear pistons. How hard is it to disable the LBS system and just have 2 master cylinders with a conventional system? I've been riding for about 8 years now and 95% of the time I only use the front lever. I know I should use both brakes. But old habits are hard to break and I'm worried that in a panick situation I'm only going to use the front lever and not having the force of that 3rd piston could be the difference between stopping in time or taking a trip through the air.

I do notice a decent difference when I use both sets of brakes.

What are you suggestions? Should I just do a full upgrade and swap out the whole system? Or should I disable the LBS?

Thanks guys.

Scott

 

cr, Welcome... ya, it's no FZ1, is it ??!!!!!!!! Linked brakes, hate'm/ love'm... they say!!!!!!!!!! I love mine. took a bit to get used to proper and full technique, to get the best from 'em. I'd suggest take'n some dedicated time, to learn to use 'em. I'm geusse'n, the problem is your tecnique, not the brake function. I had to practice... and it pay'd off
I believe dismantleing the linked setup, for most, would be a counterproductive pain, sure, just stick a... and throw away the... but as usual ,these things should be thought thru w/ a knowledge of master cyl. dia's, and such, to insure proper ability of the system,as your life does depend on it. My 94, brakes like an anchor, and is a real blessing in the wet. Practice, it is a diff. acting brake system... It'l pay off !!!!!!!!! Clean and free, Ripp'n

 

If you're concerned about generating enough braking force, switch your brake pads to EBC HH's

 

I'm finding the linked brakes on mine ideal - great if your carrying a pillion,like Rippn says
they take a little while to get used to,but once you do they work well.

 

Hi, I am new and this is my first post.

If you are only using your front lever, you are far better off leaving the LBS in service.

Under normal riding conditions they work great. When you pull on the front lever fluid is sent to the two outer pistons on the front calipers only. When this happens the left caliper grabs the rotor and in turn, thru linkage presses on the secondary master cylinder. Fluid then is sent to the two outer pistons on the rear caliper. (You can squat in at the left front side of your bike and pull the caliper in the direction of the wheel and see for yourself, put the bike on the center stand and have a friend try to spin the back wheel while you are pulling on the caliper.)

When the rear brake is applied fluid goes directly to the center pistons of all three clipers. When this happens the left caliper grabs the rotor and in turn, thru linkage presses on the secondary master cylinder. Fluid then is sent to the two outer pistons on the rear caliper just as if the lever were pulled.
Your break pads tend to wear evenly.

I de-linked my LBS because I ride my '94 hard into turns. With the LBS it is hard to figure out what the bike may do when when it is laied over and the tires are working at their fullest and you need to take off a little speed. By pressing the foot break the bike wants to stand up (front break comes on) and put you twards the outside of the turn, releasing the brake and the bike falls back down and the bike is picking a differant line then before.

By de-linking the rear wheel has a tendency to lock up where it did not do so before. I used S.S. braided lines and wish that I had tried factory rubber line in the rear to make it a little more mushy to help this.

Safty comes first.

I de-linked my breaks because of safty. I go for long rides (150 to 600 mile days) with the most twistys I can get from point X to point Y. LBS is great on the highway and also in rain, not so when the pegs are touching and the guy behind you tells you that you were smoking the soles off of youy shoes.

From what you said about your riding style, I think it would be safter for you to go with LBS. Honda was thinking about you when they put it on your bike.

 

TimB2, I just spotted this post... after my reply in the other lbs blog. This post clerifies most ???, I had. Thanks, I agree w/ the reasons you delinked, I feel that the stock forks and shocks, for me, just arn't up to it, to justify the $$$. I do believe for the true brake'n enthusist, it's a step up... but for most( including me) not justifiable, w/o suspension upgrades. Have you, or considerd, susp. tweek'n ???? Thanks for such an articulate post.
I think "DAD" did a screamer post on 1000f suspension (thanks Dad, as always!!!!!) I think it can be found in the search mode, called" front stiffening". Lots of good info, by all in that thread.
How many lines did you actualy replace and what was the cost of the compleat job?????Any bugaboo's???
By the way, what tires have you found to your like'n, for such cavorting????? THANKS again TB2, Clean and free, Ripp'n