XJ and quite frankly, cycle noob.....

Has anyone here, who has only single front disc.....ever wound up in a situation wishing they had dual fronts? I'm not overly eager to swap out forks to run duals, unless You guys tell me the stopping power of single just aint enough.... Keep in mind I'm not planning to speed around like an animal. However, I doubt I'll be able to resist the urge to twist a handful from time to time.

 

Lava lamps!!!!

 

I've had single disc fronts before, on both larger and smaller machines. My advice is to practice downshifting during panic stops.

 

Thanks K-moe! Fortunately, from riding motocross, I got that in the bag.....with throttle blips to match rpms to avoid lock-ups! (sequential dog boxes give me goosebumps lol). So it sounds like the brakes are bare minimum..... When did the duals start? was that a cc based option? Or was it a maxim based option? Or both, or niether.... These forks are beautifful and the seals are pliable (dust seals). I'd be willing to trade wit someone who had a pair of equal quality. I see theres a plastic cover blocking the rotor bolt bosses on the left side of the frond hub area of the wheel. I imagine there are threaded holes there for the addition of a left side rotor? I'll pull the front wheel soon to se if the bosses are drilled and tapped already.

 

hmm, good questions about whom has two and whom doesn't.
My 81 XJ650 Maxim has a single on the left hand side.
Are you saying above that yours is on the right with a potential for a left?

 

the maxim 550 front wheel has locations to mount the disc on left or right side threaded ans set to go .has a plastic cover on one side.

to dual disc a seca you will have to get the lower fork tube from Europe where the 550 runs dual disc.

you could also get the caliper from Europe but there are other options for calipers

 

As does the xj650 and xj750

 

I have updated my single brake with an E.C.B floating rotor from Len. Also updated brake lines with stainless steel and E.C.B brake pads with excellent results. I can feel the forks flex when braking hard. The best investment I have made on the bike.

 

I put SS lines on my bike and the single disc feels good. I've done a few of quick stops, but thankfully, not had a true panic situation yet.

 

I want to be clear. Single disc fronts are sufficient for a daily rider, but you won't be stopping as quickly. Downshifts while in an emergency stop are good practice regardless.

 

sorry K-moe but i can't agree with that downshifting. you should be concentrating on the wheels not locking and looking for a escape route

 

but you will still have to be in the correct gear to evade after braking.

edit
I do find the 550 brakes work well as long as you keep the rear adjusted properly.
did find that my shinko tires do not squeel when the rear tire locks

 

And that's why you practice.

 

I spent last summer with rear brake only but you have to drive carefully ! I did the rear wheel conversion with single rotor on my 650 seca with a cbr929 master cylinder and ss brake line and no difference compared to dual rotor.

 

That is correct stumplifter. Mine's on the right.

K-moe is correct pollack. I may be a noob..... But what I know from experience is that it becomes second nature to click down as you slow down.... Nothings worse than avoiding a collision, only to let the clutch out at in 6th gear at 25 and stall lol. Been there! I tend to drive auto's the same way. I can drive a manual, proficiently, without a clutch, and without grinding gears. It's all about rev matching. If the engine is at the speed where it will be once in that gear, well, you wont feel a difference once the clutch is disengaged. Anyway, thank you guys for clearing that up. I'm sure the single will suffice. And as I stated early on. I'd like to have it as unmolested as possible, and still achieve my goal.

And absolutely! Braided steel no squishy squishy!

Floating rotor? And do you mean E.B.C. like the british guys that make the red stuff and green stuff pads for cars? And fork flex Thats what i feared with single disc....are we talking torque to one side here?

 

Who on here was telling me about the M-Unit? The more I stare at that thing...... Thats absolutely going to be part of phase two on this bike. Anyone who hasn't checked that device out, I recommend it! Especially you Dave! It's a bus! No more carrying the full lod through the switches....and no more relays!

 

M-Unit would significantly increase the value of my bike. I'd have my insurance premium raised.

 

I believe the m-unit has the ability to also be security. You can lock it out so it wont deliver power to anything. Theres an offset to your insurance K-Moe!

 

What do you guys know about adding an oil cooler to the 550? Is there an oil filter adapter that has banjo bosses to run the oil lines? Also, has anyone found a full length ss brake hose? I'd love to delete the manifold junction to make a little more room for my headlamp.

 

brake line is easy
https://www.z1enterprises.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=&q=+Brake+hose