Front Brakes- Updated w/pics of HPK Rotors

[RAT900]

OK I think I can declare the front brakes to now be officially upgraded, updated and done.

I special-ordered the Brembo HPK floating rotors with black carriers...initially I was headed towards Brembo Narrow Bands but I liked the floating option offered with the HPK's....looks nice I think with the silver 4 pad calipers

Forks go off to Eric at ClubHouse Motorsports in NH for a rework next month

New Power Pures got a cautious 150 miles on them this past weekend

we are almost "there" as far as getting the bike set-up right





2002 Monster 900ie

I just picked up a pair of Brembo axial 65mm narrow band 4 pad calipers to replace the stock gold sponge lumps.

This will require new front hoses (which I would replace anyway on principle) since the banjo caliper mounts are side mounted vs. top mounted

Current set-up is with the single hose with the "T" fitting

What is the best Brake Hose set-up for the front in terms of balance, responsiveness and feel/feedback??

Continue with a "T" fitting type?.....

Go to two straight lines home run from each caliper and a long banjo bolt at the Master?.....

Or go with a straight single line to caliper "a" with a cross-over hose directly from caliper "a" to caliper "b"?

While I am at it would there be any reason to convert from the existing Brembo gold "pee-cup" Master to a radial pump?

For the time being I will be using the standard rotors but intend to upgrade to the Narrow Band types in a month or 3

Thoughts experience or advice welcomed
Thanks

and thanks for being here to help
Regards
RAT

[ducpainter]

I have those calipers on my 996 with a T type line with the T close to the fender.

IMO that arrangement is clean looking and works great.

If you can make them noticeably better with a different style line I'd be surprised.

You will like these.

[Howie]

Totally a matter of aesthetics, convenience and personal choice, Pascal will never know the difference.

[Ddan]

Totally a matter of aesthetics, convenience and personal choice, Pascal will never know the difference.

[RAT900]

Thanks guys....if there is no real advantage of one over another I will go with the T type in something overpriced and bling-ish

[Speeddog]

I made my own line when I put 4-pads on my S4.
The OEM style with the T in the vicinity of the headlight looks nice to me, as there's two symmetrical hoses going down to the calipers.
So that's what I did.
But it's a bit of a chore getting the T and the lines to play nicely with all the stuff behind the headlight.

Whatever's easiest to fit and looks good to you.

I don't feel any need to fit a radial master.
4-pads fitted with CP211's hooked to the goldline master is the equivalent of dropping an anchor with one finger.

[RAT900]

Well I got the custom order brake lines from Spiegler yesterday...ordered Monday...good turn-around. Went with T fitting...cost 199.00 shipped but that included new banjo bolts washers etc

The calipers were a steal at 350 bucks...new they retail at around 600 or so dollars....these are flawless

they came off a 999r(?) with only 500 miles on them and the pads to prove it.  I like the silver finish too...seems to work with the bikes color scheme

Mounted everything this morning and bled them ....they are every bit as great as I remember them being on my old 96 Ratbike

Now I am shopping for a good set of Brembo narrow band rotors to finish the job

Always happy when a project goes according to plan with no ambushes  

[ducpainter]

Damn...

that thing is yellow.

[Ddan]

Damn...

that thing is yellow.

You say that like it's a bad thing   

[BK_856er]

+1 on the CP211 pads.  Very progressive and great feel.  The first few applications take some additional effort until they get a bit of heat in them.  Here's my setup with the narrow band rotors.

BK

[RAT900]

I know, I know....after owning it for a month or 3

I have come to the painful conclusion that it lacks the proper "Menace" that the old Ratbike had

I feel playful and kittenish on it

Even with the Sil's snarling and thundering the local constabulary

give me a smile and the "you silly boy" limp wrist wave-away

[RAT900]

+1 on the CP211 pads.  Very progressive and great feel.  The first few applications take some additional effort until they get a bit of heat in them.  Here's my setup with the narrow band rotors.

BK

Very nice....I have the HH pads that came with the calipers and they seem to be doing just dandy

after having been using the old flogged and weathered 2 pin sponge lumps,,,, rubbing a stick against the tire to slow down would have been an upgrade. 

When I get my lunch hooks wrapped around a proper set of rotors I may move to CP211's

I am looking at the HPK Brembo's but they run about 650 a pair vs. the old style Narrow Bands at 440 a pair...but the HPK's are true floaters

[IdZer0]

Bit of a side step here, but what is different about the narrow band rotors (and calipers apparently, that's new for me) compared to the normal ones? I suspect it's related to the effective surface area, but what's the purpose? Can't find anything about it in the FAQ; hint 

[RAT900]

Bit of a side step here, but what is different about the narrow band rotors (and calipers apparently, that's new for me) compared to the normal ones? I suspect it's related to the effective surface area, but what's the purpose? Can't find anything about it in the FAQ; hint 

In the case of the rotors there is less rotating mass

The 4 Pad caliper arrangement gives double the leading edge contact, better feel/feedback/initial bite, less judder and increased braking power

Set up right, you can hard brake your bike with an index finger

[BK_856er]

I use the HH on my other bike.  Good pads with fantastic "bite" to them, but I prefer the CP211 on the monster for the type of riding I do on it.  Good plan to make a compound change with virgin, or at least properly prepped, rotors.

My memory is a bit IZ_, but I believe the "narrow band" rotors are a bit lighter, 0.5mm thinner and specifically designed for the 4pad caliper.  The HP is lighter yet, and as RAT900 pointed out a full floater.  Both are great rotors.

The 4pad caliper is super duper goodness in braking!  Caliper, rotor, pad, lines, master cylinder are all part of the equation.

BK