Single disk on the Front end

[steve hawkins]

All,

In the UK R65s always came with the dual setup.  After reading a thread on Boxerworks about someone who has converted to a dual setup and was perturbed the effect on the steering of the extra unsprung weight of the disk, caliper and brake line etc.

This was also the very reason that I seriously considered removing the second disk off of the front of my R65 cafe racer.  I am not dragging around a large fairing or luggage and I have a single seat  - so no pillions.  Also my bike has lost a little weight anyway (I wish I had)...

But what is a single disc - with a brembo caliper like on a an R65?  

And there was the expense of dispensing with the second disk.  A new Master cyclinder?  possibility of a more exotic disk (eg an EBC floater or PFM) and a 4 pot caliper from another model?

I am sure it could be made to work quite well.

What do people in the US of A think of their single disc setups under normal conditions?

Steve H

[NC Steve]

I don't want to sound negative because a lot of folks are hot to convert to a dual disc setup, but I've been very satisfied with the single disc on my '84. And from what I've heard and read, there is little or no appreciable increase in stopping power by adding the second disc. I'd be curious to see some properly conducted stopping distance stats comparing an '82-'84 LS with a same year, single-disc Standard model. Wonder if BMW has this data stored away somewhere?

Single or double disc, the R65s will never come close to matching the stopping power of modern bikes, and considering the bike's size, weight and performance, the single disc has been quite adequate. Better brakes would be a good thing, of course, always is, but I don't think adding the 2nd disc is how to get them. Just my opinion, but it also takes into consideration several instances when I've had to shut down quickly, and I've never lost control or locked the wheel.

[msbuck]

I have to admit that I don't like the single disc set up on my R65... only because I've gotten used to the modern brakes on my Laverda.  [smiley=shocked2.gif] I've been contemplating different solutions to this including adding the 2nd disc.  Lately though, I've been thinking about keeping the single disc set up and adding a four piston caliper instead.  (A thought that came from a previous thread here on the forum.)  Haven't looked into it seriously yet, but I think that's the way I would prefer to 'upgrade' my braking ability.

[billygoat]

 Well, I decided to remove one disk and caliper when one of my Stainless Steel brake lines failed. Only problem was deciding which one to remove, left or right. All it took was a short 14mm fine bolt that fits in place of one of the brake lines. Steering "feels" abit lighter not as heavy.

[airhead]

The single solid disc with Brembo (stock) on my 65 Mono feel more than adequate for the task. Feel at low speed is really good, panic stops are as much as I can handle, and speed wash off at higher speeds are not bad for the bikes age compared to modern bikes. However I concede I will never do a single front wheel stand (stoppy?) with it, as if I ever would anyway!!
Even though I have a solid disc, I actually wonder why BMW put drilled discs on the other models as I haven't ever noticed a drop off of performance in heavy rain.

Bill.......................;-)

[Lowen]

I'm running a single disk with the EBC floating rotor and am quite happy with the set up.

[thrang]

I prefer the look of the twin disk set up aesthetically, but being honest about it in my expriance the difference in breaking between the twin and single disk set up on an r65 is hardly noticeable, unless you do a lot of hilly riding fully loaded.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have always been happy with the single disk my '79 came with.  I think it's power outweighs my skill.  I don't think I am going to go out and learn to do stoppies at age 50.  

Not to say good brakes are unimportant!  I rebuilt mine a year ago using stock parts.  I love it.  When EBC rotors went on sale, I snatched one of those up, as well.  My original one looks a bit like the rings of Saturn, but honestly, it still does everything I ask of it!  I am just waiting to get new pads before I install the disk rotor.  I just hope I am not disappointed!

And put me down as a +1 for what NCSteve said, except I don't consider it "sounding negative".

If you got the bucks for a nice billet 4 or 6-pot caliper, I say go for it!  Those things are works of art!  
Better yet, graft a Buell Lightningbolt front end on, and get the trick rotor on the outside of the wheel!

[Semper Gumby]

Twin EBC's floaters, Galifer Kevlar pads on two ATEs and a BMW 15mm master through stainless lines are miles better than the stock single ATE on the R65LT.  This setup has saved my ass twice.

My.02