[jbranson]

For those of you trying to decide on a front brake for a 200-350cc vintage racer....consider the CB450...again.

I've been working on a few of them this week. Fine piece of work they are. The alloy used in the hub is noticably different from older/other hubs. Fine grain, harder to machine, less prone to corrosion, polishes nicer. A VERY well built and sturdy hub. No more braking power than the 305, but if bike weight is an issue it's a stronger hub. Iron bores for the bearings and the cams. Shame no one makes custom shoes for them...you could probably squeak another few mm of width out of them without running over the stock hub liner.

So..before you buy that expensive alloy front rim...think about how many spoke holes....the 450 hub needs 40. The 305 is 36 holes.
JohnnyB

 

[FR]

JB, is it safe to assume the later model CL450 brake is the same? That's what I'll be squeazin' this season. Haven't done any research, but I thought I'd be able to get shoes from Vintage Brake. Is this not so?

FR

 

[jbranson]

FR,
Actually...I don't know if the CL is the same as the CB...if it's the same diameter (200mm) and Two leading shoe, then it's safe to assume it's the same brake.

You can't get off the shelf performance shoes for the 450...like Ferodo. You can sometimes fine NOS Vesrah (# VB117) shoes...which are better than OEM but not considered "race" compound.

Vintage Brake can certainly reline your 450 shoes...about $150.

In general I'd say for a 250 - "formula" CB350, that OEM or Vesrah would be ok for racing...assuming you aren't a real hot shoe. You're still talking a brake that's 20mm larger than stock...on a bike that's probably 40 lbs lighter than stock.
JohnnyB



Edited by - jbranson on Jan 10 2006 3:45:00 PM

 

[FR]

Well, I haven't measured it so I can't answer the 200mm question. I'm using it on my CB450, which came with a disc OEM. I've never ridden this bike, and won't have anything to compare to as a baseline, other than disc brake equipped bikes. Should be interesting.

FR

 

[jbranson]

If you are using it on a 450 you'd probably want to get the shoes relined by Vintage Brake. Should be good for about 20% more stopping power than a stock 450 drum brake.
JohnnyB

 

[ttilghman]

jb-

do you have any spare 450 drums?

timothy

 

[jbranson]

Tim,
Just finished up the machine work on one today. Lightened, vented, turned. Just have to do the work on the backing plate, arc the Vesrah shoes, install new bearing, assemble and adjust.
$200 plus shipping (usually $10-14)....in case anyone is interested

JohnnyB

 

[ttilghman]

quote:
Tim,
Just finished up the machine work on one today. Lightened, vented, turned. Just have to do the work on the backing plate, arc the Vesrah shoes, install new bearing, assemble and adjust.
$200 plus shipping (usually $10-14)....in case anyone is interested

JohnnyB

JohnnyB-

I think I'll do this......

Tex, J not that D, do you guys have any problems with me upgrading my braking?

tt

 

[monkey]

if you do not upgrade your braking... you will suffer... do it.

matt

 

[ttilghman]

quote:
if you do not upgrade your braking... you will suffer... do it.

matt

matt-

yeah, i've suffered already and i've been making others suffer with me. thanks....i'll do it before spring. i'm pretty much thinking i'll replace the whole front end, but i'll miss the rubber mark on my forks from JnothatD's rear tire.

oh, and the bones are all mostly healed, i'm just waiting on the torn ligaments to remember what they're supposed to do.

and all my best wishes to you and Em.
tt

 

[monkey]

thanks dude.

my first/second seasons i ran a tock front end with a race lined stock front drum. not so fun. i am runnin a suzuki gt 750 front end and drum now. way more than i need or will use... the way i like it.

i tore my left rotator cuff last winter. this winter i tore my right one... kinda balancing things out. i makes eating it on my skateboard so much more worth it. motorcycles are suppost to be a low impact sport.

matt

 

[texmawby]

tt,

i think you should definately buy that brake off jb, and perhaps we can source you a parachute pack to boot!

tex

 

[ROSKO]

JB,
Got the brake today, FUCKIN' SWEET!!! I'd add something gay here about your skill and machining prowess but, I don't know you well enough. So I wont. May you be serviced by a thousand virgins in the afterlife Johnny.

http://www.jrbranson.com/showandtell.htm

BUY CLEVER DOG PARTS NOW!

BORN TO LURK, FORCED TO WORK.

 

[jbranson]

Go ahead...say something nasty...I'm just a cheap whore..ask anybody! Yeeah yeeah yeeah...I'm cheap whore...somebody slap me.

Hey..glad you like it. I try to do the same work on other people's stuff that I do to my own. And I try to do it for a reasonable price. I think everyone needs to have a decent working and looking brake.

I kinda like working on brakes...relatively clean after I get everything bead blasted. I got a system down for setting up my machines. Unlike building engines...brakes are hard to...well..break. Unlike engines which people can abuse and blow up the first day and then treat me like it's my fault. I just have to be careful with the hubs...one false move on the machines and I can ruin the whole thing.

Anyway..thanks for the endorsement, Aaron taught me everything I know.
JohnnyB

 

[jbranson]

I just wanted to remind anyone that I've sold brakes too.

GO EASY THE FIRST FEW LAPS.

New shoes take a few laps to bed in, they typically work like shit the first lap...little better the second...by the four or fifth lap they should be good to go.

So don't get caught out coming into turn 3 at 80 mph on fresh shoes.
JohnnyB