I have an 06 SG with a Performance Machine Torgue 18 inch wheel. I have duel disks. I was thinking about going to a 21 inch wheel and getting a single sided brake. It would be cheaper to use what I already have. Can I change the duel disk wheel that I have an make it single sided?

Other then getting a six piston break, is there anything else that I would need to do?

Thanks
Eric

 

Eric,

I like my brakes! I have 6-pots both sides with 13" FF rotors. With a recent spec 4-pot rear plus FF rotor I have 16 pots to pull on. I don't want to give any of them up, but that's just me!

 

I'm with you. Can't see going from 2 on front to 1. Seems like you'd be reducing the braking ability of the bike. It might look cooler/cleaner but I' prefer stopping ability over looks.

Plus you would have to replace one of your fork tubes so you wouldn't have the bolt holes for the missing caliper showing.

 

Its not a big deal to do what you are wanting to do. I have RC wheels, bought the right side of the hub for $125.00 (didn't like the holes showing from having dual rotors). I'm quite sure Performance wheels are similar. I cut/machined the tabs off myself and had my leg re-chromed ($75.00). I can't tell any difference in the stopping power with one HHI 6 piston/13" rotor and the dual HD calipers, although mine were not the new Brembo's. I do see bikes with just one HD Brembo caliper on using the stock size rotor, don'y know how well that works.

 

I got a reply on facebook from Performance Machine. They have a spacer that can take place of one of the rotors or you can send them the wheel and they can rebuild the hub.

My bike is down in winter storage. I had bars and controls put on. I was thinking about doing chrome forks. I have an 18 inch PM wheel now. I was going to go for a different look and get a 21 inch wheel. I figured for something different a single sided 18 inch wheel would be different. But ?I do have some concern like what you guys mentioned about going from two brakes to one. I should just change the forks and save the money. Thanks for your input.

 

The whole idea of dual-disk braking is to be able to apply more resistance to the rotation of the wheel WITHOUT locking up the wheel and without failing (burning up).

Dual brakes on a stock bike do this better than more expensive components.

PM is a great company. If they have as brake system that does better with one rotor/caliper - grand. If you are the experimental type grand. If not see what others have done/used and not died from.
...gene

 

What ever floats your boat. Taking away one side of a 900+ pound bike's braking system is a foolish thing to do. Don't come back hear and say that you did not have enough braking power to stop. Stopping, when needed, is a good thing. There is a reason touring bikes have duals.

 

Yes - do not exceed 25 mph on flat ground so you can stop, and avoid any long downhills so you don't fry your front brake.

Seriously - do what you want, but just know that you will have to be extra careful.

When that newly arrived immigrant whose only other vehicle was a donkey pulls out in front of you, you may have a problem.

 

Like gabulldog said, it's no big deal. I did the same thing, but used a brembo caliper and rotor on the left side, and added a single disc master cylinder as well. It's about like riding a heritage or fatboy. They're only about 40-50 lbs lighter than a street glide. I used a dual disc wheel with a hubcap, and shaved the brackets on the right side. Here are a couple of pics of the setup.

 

What size master cylinder should one use when going to a single side disc setup?