$1218 to Convert 800A to rear disk brake

[bobbyafs]

I got on bikebandit.com today just to see how much it would cost to order all of the drifter rear brake components and swingarm to convert my 05 800A to rear disk. Came out to $1218 of course i rounded just about every figure up to the nearest dollar.

Now i can probably search around and get some of the stuff cheaper and knock the price down to $900-1000.

Has anybody here changed their 800 to rear disk by doing it this way or did you fabricate brackets and modify your swingarm to fit the caliper bracket and everything else that goes with it. Also what was the price range. I love this bike and will probably never get rid of it and would like to have rear brakes, plus it will be a good project to take on.

[CowboyBob]

I had a post on here with a link to a pic of a Delphi member..SunnyBob from the UK and he converted to disc rear with parts from a HD Sportster. The post was just yesterday....I have thought of it, but don't know if I would bother at 12 bills. I think I would put the money toward a trade in on a different bike.

[Deeppurple52]

After 23,000 miles on my wife's 800 we have found no reason to even suggest that it needs a disc. We ride lots of mountain roads out here and braking has never been an issue. Add too much rear brake and you are asking to get pitched on yer head. Must be just an asthetic issue.....

[bobbyafs]

Teah i saw the pic. In fact that is what got me thinking about it again. but i do not have all of the tools to fabricate and weld brackets. If i did i would just go find any wrecked bike and take all of the stuff off and fab everything up (would probably only cost 100-200 bux).

Oh well, like i said i plan on keeping this bike for a very long time. The 800 is a perfect blank canvas to do anything with, and i think that is what i will porbably do after i buy a second bike later down the road.

My dad is one of the best car mechanics i have ever known. Whein i was younger my dad had 2 customers from NY that would bring their RV's to him and only him, and another guy in NH that would only let my dad tuch is corvette, and he live in SE texas. So tinkering with things i guess is in my blood and one of things i like about converting to a rear disk brake is the work that will go into doing it. Heck last month i started building a huge 3 piece entertainment center because i had nothing to do.

Well thanks for the reply cowboybob i kinda bunny trailed there but hey its just like riding a scoot make one wrong turn and you could be on the best ride of your life.

[bobbyafs]

Originally Posted by Deeppurple52

After 23,000 miles on my wife's 800 we have found no reason to even suggest that it needs a disc. We ride lots of mountain roads out here and braking has never been an issue. Add too much rear brake and you are asking to get pitched on yer head. Must be just an asthetic issue.....

It is sort of for the looks. I have noticed though that it seems like i am using way to much front brake just to come to a nice controlled stop. I have adgusted the rear bbrake and the pedal (MAPAM forward controls)so the peg is furtherup (or toward the rider)so i do not have to put as much into it.

I think mainly though is to have a project to keep busy. I really enjoy putting my hands on something building it and then step back and admire the work(if it si good work). I am also an F-16 Eletronics Tech and the past 3 years i have been in the classroom teaching so i might be getting the mechanics itch.

[Grumbler]

Originally Posted by bobbyafs

I got on bikebandit.com today just to see how much it would cost to order all of the drifter rear brake components and swingarm to convert my 05 800A to rear disk. Came out to $1218 of course i rounded just about every figure up to the nearest dollar.

Try Ron Ayers Motorsports - Motorcycle, ATV, Jet Ski and Generators Parts and Accessories as they're definately cheaper than bikebandit.com in addition to having a very user-friendly online oem parts fiche.

[CowboyBob]

I can see the mechanics itch, I know what ya mean..If I aint busy i get stressed. I can't do the welding gig, otherwise I would probably do more. The rear disc is something I toyed with for aesthetics. I would definately do it from a Drifter as opposed to the HD. I haven't seen how its mounted, but I am sure there is a way to do it without a new swing arm...maybe even without welding. I have seen discs on bikes where the caliper mounts with a stayor torque arm and using the axle as the second point. My 82 CB750F was like this. I guess the deal would be to see what bike Kawi has that looks like it would work..make some measurements and go from there. I do know if ya want cast wheels on the 800 the EN 500 is the right size, and most everything will bolt right up. Still got drum brakes, but a whole new look. That Delphi forum has a bunch of guys with great info on the 800s.

[El Skitzo]

If you're going for asthetics then you'd want to go to a sprotor setup, like from Exile or Flyrite, where the sprocket also acts as the brake rotor. Cleans up the right side of the bike real nice.

[bobbyafs]

Originally Posted by CowboyBob

I can see the mechanics itch, I know what ya mean..If I aint busy i get stressed. I can't do the welding gig, otherwise I would probably do more. The rear disc is something I toyed with for aesthetics. I would definately do it from a Drifter as opposed to the HD. I haven't seen how its mounted, but I am sure there is a way to do it without a new swing arm...maybe even without welding. I have seen discs on bikes where the caliper mounts with a stayor torque arm and using the axle as the second point. My 82 CB750F was like this. I guess the deal would be to see what bike Kawi has that looks like it would work..make some measurements and go from there. I do know if ya want cast wheels on the 800 the EN 500 is the right size, and most everything will bolt right up. Still got drum brakes, but a whole new look. That Delphi forum has a bunch of guys with great info on the 800s.

Cowboybob - I also thought of that same setup with the torque arm and axle mounted bracket. I was mainly thinging of the drifter setup for ease of just swapping parts. I know the drifter swingarm has some mounting tabs for the caliper and bracket that the A and B model do not have. I gues i could measure where those tabs are and take my swingarm to a machine shop and have the tabs welded on. Save alot of money

[bobbyafs]

Originally Posted by El Skitzo

If you're going for asthetics then you'd want to go to a sprotor setup, like from Exile or Flyrite, where the sprocket also acts as the brake rotor. Cleans up the right side of the bike real nice.

Man if i had the money that is exactly what i would do. Heck swapping over to a disk is not going to happen anytime soon anyway. I was just curious how much it would cost.

[CowboyBob]

Not sure how the tabs are, but you may be able to utilize a bolt on bracket. J&P sells a variety of brackets that basically clamp around a tube and these may work too anchor the caliper.Have to see how and where they mount, but is an idea.