brake upgrade

hey everyone,
I have an 82 xj550 maxim in excellent condition. I want to improve the stopping performance. Im thinking something along the lines of a double disc set up from a xj750. This looks like I would have to replaced part of my fork too. Anyone have any experience on upgrading thier front brakes? Know of any write ups on the subject?

 

I recently did the upgrade on my 550 for the same reason. I wrote it up here. http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... =twin.html

Not sure on using 750 parts but the 650 swap was a breeze.

Cheers
HG

 

thanks. Do you know if the 550 wheel will fit in the 650 fork? It looks like there are holes in the hub so discs can be mounted on both sides.

 

Not sure. My 550 didn't have the original wheel on it when I bought it.

I found it easier to just put the 650 wheel on as it came with two discs already. As far as I know there was only two wheel designs on most early XJ's so swapping keeps it looking normal.

Some 550's for the NZ/pacific market apprently came with a twin setup so it's highly possible that a disc may bolt straight on.

 

I used an XJ900 front wheel and adapted R1 front calipers and rotor to my bike.

http://plan9.dnsalias.org:88/xj/photos/ ... C03271.JPG

 

The other option is to search ebay Germany and UK for a set of european fork lowers (you really only need to swap the one without the caliper mount) and swap that along with a second caliper and disc as the euro version of the 550 had twin discs as did the Japan market XJ400 from which both were derived.

 

Injuhneer, beautiful job on the R1 conversion!!! Love to see some more pics of your bike too! You don't happen to still have the plans for that caliper bracket laying around, do you? :lol:

 

Think I found the rest of the pics, any details on how you did the rear disc conversion?? Very nice site BTW!!!

 

The rear wheel is also from an XJ900. The disc is one of the old front rotors from the bike (650 Turbo). The caliper is the rear and master from an R1/R6 (same parts back in 2003).

I created the lower half of the bracket then milled the R6 bracket to fit. Then TIG welded them together. Then turned a spacer for the right side.

From there it was just plumbing and mounting the master. It works well. I only need about 1" (25mm) before the brake engages. Being a 1/2" (13mm) master it modulates nicely on such a small caliper.

 

I made these jsut before I got the CNC gear installed in my 3 axis machine. I suspect they would be pretty easy to make now. They are fitted for an XJ650LJ to use R1 calipers. I'd need dimensions for other XJs.

For some folks who just want more stopping power without any changes to their bike a good semi-metal or kevlar pad will improve braking. I think EBC makes them to fir a number of XJs.

 

Sweet setup! Beautiful handywork Mr. Injuhneer! Doing any work on the side?

 

On occasion.

Typically when the YICS waiting list isn't so long... :wink:

 

14 year old post Injuhneer was last seen:
Apr 7, 2018