Better brakes for 1986

[slosh]

Was wondering if there are ways of improving the front disc brake of the 1986 model Husky's?
From what I can gather the full floating front disc is a good thing= less drag and lots of bikes use these. So would a changing the caliper for something more effective be possible?

 

[dukkman]

I went an 87 left leg and caliper [ twin spot ] with a 98WR master cylinder [ had one spare but an 86 would work ] then used a Honda Cr wheel with the stainless type disk , machined down to fit.
Only went the wheel because I was paranoid about the disk breaking.
Now I have a problem with the front tyre turning even though I use rim locks.
Stops well.

 

[stormer254]

The best way to make an 86 disc better is to ride drum braked Automatics in the wet

 

[fran...k.]

The rotor is still smaller than what is normal for this class of bike. A few ways to accomplish improved stopping power would be
change the leverage ratio which would be the area of the master cylinder vs the slave cylinder(s)
Move the disc to rotor contact outward.

The pistons in the wheel caliper being on both sides of the disc generally needs the spokes positioned to miss the caliper. The best cure in my estimation is more modern entire front end, clamps fender forks wheels axle brakes etc. Like above stated the 87-88 fork leg and wheel and caliper, and master cylinder. The other 87-88 fork leg has the attachment points for the 85-86 brakes and upon examining the parts sure looks the later one is more massive. It is not unusual for the first disc brake set up to not have too much different properties than what is replaced.

 

[84scrambler]

I would start with master cyl. and lever first. What are you comparing performance to ? 30 yr old bike is like a 30 yr old car you just can't compare it to a 2016 item with out doing major cross over work.

 

[justintendo]

i find the dual piston front caliper waaaay better than the 85-86 one. its worth it to make the switch.
the 87-88 have a better master as well.
you need the master, front wheel, disc, caliper, and at least the fork leg to make the switch

 

[justintendo]

my 95 had the newest style brembo master, and i find it too touchy...at least with the 95's bigger rotor. i run the 87-88 brembo master on it too..
if the 87 had a lil bigger rotor it would be ideal, but the 85-86 feels wooden. just a weak caliper, and kinda looks like the later husk's rear caliper??

 

[fran...k.]

but the 85-86 feels wooden. just a weak caliper, and kinda looks like the later husk's rear caliper??

Maybe, sort of. the 85-86 front caliper has a piston on each side of the rotor. There are some current bikes that are like this but not sure if any off road ones. Probably the pressure at the pads is half that it would be if the two cylinders were on the same side and the caliper floated.

 

[justintendo]

Maybe, sort of. the 85-86 front caliper has a piston on each side of the rotor. There are some current bikes that are like this but not sure if any off road ones. Probably the pressure at the pads is half that it would be if the two cylinders were on the same side and the caliper floated.

you may be right but the setup sucks compared to the next style, and even sucks compared to well set up drum.

 

[slosh]

That's a great idea getting just one 87 fork leg. The main problem is I haven't seen any of these parts in Australia and have been looking for years. Also, my bike is a CR so finding 87 sliders in that (rarer) length would be more difficult again.
It does seem there is no easy fix for the original brakes- the small rotor, etc.
I do have a 98 Suzuki RM front end that I planned to use when it's put back together, but was wondering if there might have been some hope for the old parts. The original forks need rechroming but the wheel is in good shape.

Edit: would love a set of WP forks as I think that may have been an option for my bike in 86.

 

[dukkman]

That's a great idea getting just one 87 fork leg. The main problem is I haven't seen any of these parts in Australia and have been looking for years. Also, my bike is a CR so finding 87 sliders in that (rarer) length would be more difficult again.
It does seem there is no easy fix for the original brakes- the small rotor, etc.
I do have a 98 Suzuki RM front end that I planned to use when it's put back together, but was wondering if there might have been some hope for the old parts. The original forks need rechroming but the wheel is in good shape.

Edit: would love a set of WP forks as I think that may have been an option for my bike in 86.

I posted an wanted on http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/swapmeet.cgi for a left one only.
Was cheep as.

 

[dukkman]

Mate bought an 86 WR240 and the brakes were woefull.
Upon looking we found the caliper was the floating disk type and the brand new front wheel assembly was a fixed disk one.
So there was no movement in the setup. Duhh. [ PO had spent the money on the bike but never had a clue. ]
Changed the caliper to a fixed disk one [ caliper floats ] and it was better.

Have had a couple of sets of tubes rechromed up in Brisbane at RADhardchrome.
Cost $150 a side but I think the price has gone up now.
Good job that will last forever, well worth the cost.

 

[justintendo]

That's a great idea getting just one 87 fork leg. The main problem is I haven't seen any of these parts in Australia and have been looking for years. Also, my bike is a CR so finding 87 sliders in that (rarer) length would be more difficult again.
It does seem there is no easy fix for the original brakes- the small rotor, etc.
I do have a 98 Suzuki RM front end that I planned to use when it's put back together, but was wondering if there might have been some hope for the old parts. The original forks need rechroming but the wheel is in good shape.

Edit: would love a set of WP forks as I think that may have been an option for my bike in 86.

the xc would have the correct ride height from 87-88...
i would not go with the wp forks, parts are supposed to be getting hard to find. if i went inverted i would go with later forks from a husky as the triple clamps and stem would fit directly.

 

[rwgregory]

I do have a 98 Suzuki RM front end that I planned to use when it's put back together, but was wondering if there might have been some hope for the old parts. The original forks need rechroming but the wheel is in good shape.

Edit: would love a set of WP forks as I think that may have been an option for my bike in 86.

Your idea of switching to the Suzuki front end would be the way to go. If those are the 49mm conventional Showa twin chamber forks, they are some of the best forks ever made. Combine that with an RM wheel and front brake assy. and your bike would feel like new. I have seen all of those parts on ebay for reasonable money.

I have a 1987 Husky 510 and love the bike but the front end and brakes were no friend of mine. I rounded up the parts and installed a pair of WP 4054 forks with a Honda CR500 front wheel and brake. WOW!! That turned a good bike into a great bike. Killer front suspension with 2 finger braking. Whats not to like??

 

[RUF]

rwgregory is right to me....
WP 4054 are the best forks for that age.
I have one on a 430 and they work perfectly!
Not to compare with any other fork....
My personal opinion, as always....

 

[2premo]

the 87-88 use a twin piston caliper that has a larger swept area for the pads
the best bet and simplest is 87-88 brake swap
they even look stock
FYI the 88 forks work very well too, big improvement in seals and valving

 

[Bigbill]

Don't use the brakes so much drop to a lower gear when possible.

 

[justintendo]

Don't use the brakes so much drop to a lower gear when possible.

that works great on a two stroke, with all the engine braking they have

 

[jimspac]

As long as you are not riding an Auto. No engine braking whatsoever. And yes I had one so I speak from experience. The only aspect I deplored about a machine I otherwise loved.

 

[Bigbill]

On my Polaris 400lc two stroke with no engine braking I'd burp the throttle for what little I could get.