Front Brake 850 MK3, improve braking (2019)

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Granted that the stock commando front disc breaking wasn't "great". I bought a madass mastercylinder/lever which improved my lever feel. I also have an 11.5 inch yamaha disc on my wheel, which is an inch wider diameter than stock. I did keep the lockheed caliper. My suggestion is,... drum roll....

PRACTICE hard breaking before you actually need to do it in an emergency... If you don't practice, you have only maximized the mechanical potential of the brake system, but not the rider's ability to use the brake aggressively.
 
This might be more than you want to do, but here is how I kept my MK3 switchgear and fitted the full Madass kit. The full kit gives you a big disc ,six piston caliper, new custom fork leg and the correct MC for that brake.
It stops like a modern bike now.

http://www.accessnorton.com/new-front-brake-kit-t15950-45.html?hilit=madass brake

On edit-
Sorry, I see that thread is no longer available.

Thanks Glen, I think this is the link: https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/new-front-brake-kit.13933/page-3#post-197638

Some really good on the fly fitting/engineering on your part, as I said before not looking for a project.
 
OK, I've been thinking . . . . . .

Does anybody know of a direct drop in replacement for the Lockheed caliper which has larger pistons so the ratio is improved?
 
OK, I've been thinking . . . . . .

Does anybody know of a direct drop in replacement for the Lockheed caliper which has larger pistons so the ratio is improved?
Hi click, do you mean the standard caliper?

If so, Harrison Billet (http://www.billet.co.uk/index2.html?home.html~mainFrame http://www.billet.co.uk/index2.html?home.html~mainFrame) and Pretech (https://www.pretech.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=9) both list 6 pot calipers that will bolt straight on without any ugly adapter plates. Neither are cheap though, and to my mind look a bit too modern. Your existing large bore M/C will probably work perfectly with those those.


Cheers,

cliffa.
 
Hi click, do you mean the standard caliper?

If so, Harrison Billet (http://www.billet.co.uk/index2.html?home.html~mainFrame http://www.billet.co.uk/index2.html?home.html~mainFrame) and Pretech (https://www.pretech.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=9) both list 6 pot calipers that will bolt straight on without any ugly adapter plates. Neither are cheap though, and to my mind look a bit too modern. Your existing large bore M/C will probably work perfectly with those those.


Cheers,

cliffa.

Interesting options, thanks cliffa.

Should have clarified, the caliper I'm currently running is an AP 2696. I was curious if there was another straight swop out caliper with larger pistons I could fit to get the ratio closer to 'perfect'
 
PRACTICE hard breaking before you actually need to do it in an emergency... If you don't practice, you have only maximized the mechanical potential of the brake system, but not the rider's ability to use the brake aggressively.[/QUOTE]

Totally agree, I’ve found when I’m riding modern motorbikes the biggest limiting factor is me!! The bikes can do more than I can make them do, which I like, it gives you a nice safety buffer.

At the moment the Norton is ‘adequate’ in its braking, I’m just looking for a bigger safety buffer, hope that makes sense!!
 
I purchased an Andover 13mm front master cylinder, last month, after using the stock MC for 500 miles.
I at first thought the Andover mc was expensive.
Now after 500 more miles the expense is of no matter.
The 13mm gives a feeling of safe braking, a big step change over stock.
This 13mm front mc does not make a road racer out of my Norton, but it performs well and looks original.
 
PRACTICE hard breaking before you actually need to do it in an emergency... If you don't practice, you have only maximized the mechanical potential of the brake system, but not the rider's ability to use the brake aggressively.

Totally agree, I’ve found when I’m riding modern motorbikes the biggest limiting factor is me!! The bikes can do more than I can make them do, which I like, it gives you a nice safety buffer.

At the moment the Norton is ‘adequate’ in its braking, I’m just looking for a bigger safety buffer, hope that makes sense!![/QUOTE]


If you are referring to the stock Norton disc brake as being adequate, I and several forum members disagree.
 
Think he was saying that with the 13mm master it is adequate. With good pads Id agree. And not to forget where you ride, how you ride and
what you are used to riding are big factors.
 
3 pages on how to improve braking and brake feel , and no mention of a radial MC ..
 
3 pages on how to improve braking and brake feel , and no mention of a radial MC ..
Just had to Google radial master cylinder to see what they were!!
They do look good
Cheers
 
3 pages on how to improve braking and brake feel , and no mention of a radial MC ..

I gave up and deleted mention of it.... I guess "No radials ? " was a bit to brief and got confused with a tyre/tire thread.:D
 
Totally agree, I’ve found when I’m riding modern motorbikes the biggest limiting factor is me!! The bikes can do more than I can make them do, which I like, it gives you a nice safety buffer.

At the moment the Norton is ‘adequate’ in its braking, I’m just looking for a bigger safety buffer, hope that makes sense!!


If you are referring to the stock Norton disc brake as being adequate, I and several forum members disagree.[/QUOTE]

No 'the Norton', as in my Norton; the setup I have is adequate. Appreciate you looking for clarity.
 
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I purchased an Andover 13mm front master cylinder, last month, after using the stock MC for 500 miles.
I at first thought the Andover mc was expensive.
Now after 500 more miles the expense is of no matter.
The 13mm gives a feeling of safe braking, a big step change over stock.
This 13mm front mc does not make a road racer out of my Norton, but it performs well and looks original.

Really appreciate the helpful feedback, I'm processing an order today for one :)
 
General Tip - (and you can call me crazy), but I found replacing the bulbous grips for standard generic parallel ones improve my front brake, as I could get my fingers further over the lever. Give it a try, they are cheap and you can always refit the old ones if you find it's not the case.


Cheers,

cliffa.
 
Agree, the big fat titty grips that came on the bike were too big for me, so I put Oury MX grips on mine and like it much better.
Jaydee
 
Now we are getting down to grips. Forget about it.

First off, there isn't anything of the stock Norton disc brake worth saving. Replace it all; rotor, caliper, master cylinder and brake line. Once you done that you'll wonder what in the hell Norton was trying to do when they designed their disc brake.
 
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As far as replacing the whole system, the CNW front brake system looks really nice but, TBH, since the CNW Brembo MC with SS line and Ferodo pads/OEM caliper on my '73 delivers feel at the lever like a modern bike and will lock up a stock-size Avon Roadrunner, I haven't seen any need for "better" brakes. That said, I still think about purchasing the CNW system just because... ;)
 
JimC is going to love thiso_O. (Only pulling your leg :D)

Has anybody tried the Lockheed racing brake lever? https://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/lockheed-racing-brake-lever-fits-norton-highly-recommended_2378.htm
It seemingly gives more leverage, maybe this + the rubber grip is all we need to perform front stoppies (this is a joke!;))

For those who haven’t seen the pic of my setup on the first page, here it is again (everything has been upgraded apart from the MC. I have a 13mm MC on the way from AN. Once I get it fitted I'll give some feedback on this thread.
Front Brake 850 MK3, improve braking (2019)
 
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