Brembo Alternatives on our R65s

[ipanemaguy]

Our 65s are 'unique' in many respects.  If want to upgrade the brakes what Brembo calipers will bolt on besides the OEM R65-F08,

there are a number of calipers, 2-pot and 4-pot that share the same 108mm mounting bolt pattern.

Does anyone know what possibilities there are ?  

The question assumes that you stay with original rotors.

Any wisdom  or warnings shared will be greatly appreciated.

Stay upright!

[Justin B.]

I don't recall anybody on here ever talking about any actual swaps before but my memory ain't so good anymore...    I would think that if the mounting was the same and the position could be adjusted so the disc would be where it belonged in the caliper, then, why not?  The Brembo calipers "centering" is fine-tuned by way of different thickness spacers so I don't see why the same couldn't be done (within reason) with an aftermarket or foreign caliper.  I would very much like to see your results when finished!  

I have converted automobiles from drum to disc ('57 Chevy) and they utilize an adapter bracket to bolt the caliper to so something like that could be machined up to mount most anything you had laying around!

Now that I think about it didn't somebody on here build like an R65GS with a 4 pot caliper?

[montmil]

I don't recall anybody on here ever talking about any actual swaps before but my memory ain't so good anymore...

Justin, You may have contracted the dreaded "CRS" as I have done a few years ago. CRS? Yep! Can't Remember S**t. BTW... there ain't no cure. I kinda like it 'cause you've got something to blame your screw ups on.

[Justin B.]

Yeah, but some people think I milk that excuse a bit much...  

[Semper Gumby]

There is a British company that makes a 4(6?) pot caliper.  And I think (I'm guessing really) the R80ST will convert easily to the R65.  Check the part numbers close though......

 http://www.billet.co.uk/index2.html?home.html~mainFrame  

Look under "European".  They list a "Big 6" caliper for the 1983 - 1994 280 mm discs.  That sounds like the R65...  If you have the 12mm master cylinder you will probably have to change it out for a 15 or 16mm master cylinder.

BTW - this stuff is incredibly expensive.  Much better alternative is to call up www.cyclebrakes.com and get better pads for your Brembos.

[ipanemaguy]

Guys,
Life would be much less interesting if we went out looking in catalogues and purchased ready made "kits".  I had already looked at the Harrison caliper kits, and various large rotor adapters (320mm) see,
 Â  http://www.motoren-israel.com/index.php?language=en.  
The fun is in our mix-and-matching to create something which is uniquely ours.

Because so many "cheap"  BMW forks and calipers are available on eBay, IBMWR, BMWOA etc, my hope is to work with the existing forks, and if all else fails drop in a set of K100RS with matching rotors and calipers.

I've already gone to stainless line, and top pads.  I am still hoping that a Brembo caliper can by swapped in without excessive shimming or milling of the caliper mounts.

Still open to wise suggestions.  A friend said to me that the wise choice would be to stop investing in a 30yr old bike technology and spend my money on a Ducati 620 - he doesn't get it.  Who wants to ride a machine that can't travel cross-country, requires wrenching by Signori Enzo No'cheapo, and cries out "organ donor" to every passerby?  Not me.  Airheads for ever!

[Justin B.]

I understand where you are coming from and sometimes I will invest 10 times more labor into something than it is worth just to prove I can make it fit!  If that is your mantra then just pick out a caliper you like that looks close and make it fit!  Probably the biggest issue will be getting the disc centered in the caliper...