Well I got my new brake master cylinder. Unfortunately the clutch lever didn't just bolt on magically so I'll be doing some redneck engineering on it tomorrow. You will have to follow that on my build thread though.
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How-To add Brembo caliper and a 18" spoked rim
- Thread starter Bushyeyed1
- Start date
I just realized that an 18" rim will give slightly more clearance between spokes and caliper than a 19" rim, due to the slightly sharper angle of the spokes.
On my stock 19" front wheel, I ended up with 23 mm disc offset, equivalent to a 13 mm spacer on a common Ducati disc. That left only 2 mm clearance between disc buttons and the fork leg. However, I used the "65 mm" Brembo caliper.
On my stock 19" front wheel, I ended up with 23 mm disc offset, equivalent to a 13 mm spacer on a common Ducati disc. That left only 2 mm clearance between disc buttons and the fork leg. However, I used the "65 mm" Brembo caliper.
SEd27
XS650 Addict
arcticXS,
Thanks for confirming this. I am using a stock width 19” front and had to file the back of the caliper to clear the spokes.
Because I used the recommend Motolanna disc, I could not add a shim washer on the axle like bushyeyed1 (it would have thrown the spacing out).
I also am using the MotoLanna spacer disc but of course have 18” rims. I only added the washer in between the dust cover and fork leg because once torqued down it would sandwich the fork a little bit causing the spokes to be too close to the caliper. So the washer didn’t change the alignment of the disc and caliper for me. It could be the difference of rotor disc offset. What disc are you using with your setup?
SEd27
XS650 Addict
Using an aftermarket Arashi SRX400 disc with the Motolanna spacer
With everything buttoned up for the mockup, the disc is centred in the caliper.
Will have have to recheck the spacing with a shim washer, as I like the security of the built in stop to keep things away from the spokes.
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Sorry I guess I should have checked the prior page that you posted the rotor disc. I am not sure of the spec differences between our discs, but mine appears to have about a 5mm offset and thickness is 5mm with a min of 4mm. From what I can tell from looking at your disc on Ebay it has a slight offset as well but a minimum thickness of 4.5mm. The washer is only about 2 mm thick so I am not sure if you would rather have it slightly off or grind your caliper. I double checked mine just for shits and giggles and I have 5mm of brake pad on either side of the rotor disc. The spokes have about 5-6mm clearance from the raised lip on the back of the caliper. It appears centered and the caliper pistons don't look significantly on one side or the other. It is also just my opinion, but if the caliper piston is slightly off a mm or two it should not be that bad.
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SEd27
XS650 Addict
Thanks for the measurements. That is super helpful. Going to try and get into the garage tonight to verify a few things.
I would love someone to add a rear wheel conversion to this thread.
SEd27
XS650 Addict
No, I hit a bunch of snags, but I am close.
There were issues with painting the caliper. I did not prep correctly and it resulted in two addition complete repaints after the initial spray (even using the correct caliper paint).
When I went to reassemble the caliper intervals, I discovered that misplaced the caliper body seal/ o ring and had to re-order.
I also found that I purchased the wrong length banjo bolt. Apparently, there are two common lengths for the Brembo caliper - 19mm and 25mm. I accidentally ordered the shorter and found I needed the longer one. Had to place another order.
Shipping got delayed due the Covid crisis which resulted in 5-6 week wait.
I finally got everything sorted this week and went to install brakes and found the my vacuum bleeder had a crack in it and would not hold air. Off to the store to get another.
Fingers crossed I will have everything buttoned back up this weekend.
How are you finding your setup after some more miles in the saddle?
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Aloha Bushy - If I may ask, of which year is Aprilia Mana 850 model is the disc off?
The one I purchased was listed as a used disc off a 2009 Aprilia Mana 850.
Mine was listed for sale used as 91-96 Ducati M900 M750 900SS 700SS 748 916. If I was a betting man you not only can find the caliper on Ducati’s but also Aprilia models. Use the part numbers for the first part of this thread I posted in the how to and also search for Brembo caliper 40 mm on eBay and it should bring some up.
Bushyeyed: You Sir are a rock star! I will proceed per your advise. Thank you so much and ride safe.
No problem glad I could help. Take some pics of your install and post them to this thread for others to enjoy.
stinky78
XS650 Addict
hi Bushy, I just re-read this and was a bit confused, what width are your front and back rims? From reading it I thought the front was 2.15 but then you said you didn’t know if a 2.5 would fit and I wasn’t sure if you meant front or back.
So there is a difference in the way the spokes are on a front and rear rim. I purchased a rear rim for the front that was 2.15” and the spokes that will adapt a rear rim to the front hub. I can’t verify if a wider rim will fit with the type of brembo set up I did since my spokes were so close on the 2.15”. It might work but I don’t want to tell you it will for sure. I think the slightly thinner rim for the front is probably better for handling curves.
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