Anyone upgraded front brake caliper?

[chrishiggs]

Hi Folks,

Just wondering if anyone has fitted a four pot front caliper to a GS500? I've fitted an iron PFM racing disc and Ferodo Platinum pads to the front which is a big improvement over stock but still find the front brake a bit weak. You'd probably need to fit a spacer under the disc but must be do-able. Anyone tried? Cheers.

Chris

[jeremy_nash]

I did an upgrade that gave me dual 4 piston calipers.  it was an upgrade to a katana front end.  I would look into possibly doing a katana caliper swap, although I dont know how close to lining up it will be.

[chrishiggs]

Thanks but don't think that would work for me. I'm in the UK and the Katana is called the gsx600f here. The Uk spec bike has the same brakes as the 600 Bandit which is essentially the same caliper as on the gs500 but two of them on twin discs. Got a couple of 4 pot 2002 Yam R1 calipers in the garage so thinking of using one of them tho it will involve a mounting plate on the fork leg and a spacer under the disc most likely. Cheers.

[Mauricio]

IMHO it comes down to how ambitious you are with the upgrade and what you want to spend. You could go big and simply swap the entire front end for something that comes with fancy suspension and radial-mount calipers. Or if you are feeling flush with cash and generous with yourself - and hey, it X-mas time - you could get a  Beringer caliper.



OK, so that is not a GS, but the same RH caliper will bolt right up to the GS500 fork tubes. But then, you'd have to have a good reason as to why you'd want to commit to keeping the stock fork tubes. Maybe if you already upgraded the suspension and the setup suits you dandy.

[psyber_0ptix]

just upgrade the front end?   

[chrishiggs]

Both options very nice but slight overkill on my bike right now (financially and otherwise). I also like the idea of keeping the unsprung weight to a minimum. As soon as you add wide wheels, twin discs, 50mm forks etc the weight goes up significantly. I like my wee GS because it weighs next to nothing, is so fllickable and because of this outhandles a lot of very expensive machinery up to about 70mph. Above this you do start to notice the forks flexing, the rear shock misbehaving etc etc. I don't care, if I want to go super fast I've got an R1 but as I say up to 70 the GS is way more fun! Definitely the best bike I've ever used through city trafic as well and I (mis)spent several years of my youth dispatching on every thing from big trail bikes to VT500s- GS500 best town bike, no contest! Anyway thanks for the input. Reckon I'll see what I can do with the spare R1 caliper and dream of finding a Beringer  in my X-mass stocking!

[ineedanap]

I think the GS500 and the SV650 share the same right side caliper.  These $65 adapter plates for GSXR calipers on a SV650 might be worth a look.  

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=128750

OR

[chrishiggs]

Nice one- I'll keep the R1 calipers as a a pair and get straight on to ebay!  Cheers! 
...now...
...shall I sacrifice pillion compatibility in the quest for a bit less weight...
... (i.e. start hacking up the rear subframe etc...hmm...)

[Kurlon]

Later style (SV650) two piston caliper, EBC contour rotor, and EBC EPFA pads, all the brake the front end can handle.

[Jay_wolf]

I have a Modified Katana F/E im willing to sell , im in the UK , ive got into supermotos , so i dont ride my GS anymore , <a href="http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u148/James_Jay_Wolf/?action=view&current=14062008602.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u148/James_Jay_Wolf/14062008602.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Message me if interested

[Paulcet]

[Jay_wolf]

Thanks 

[JAY W]

Hi Jay,If Chris isn`t after your kat front end let me know what you want for it.It would be a good upgrade for the combination (mongrel bike and sidecar for youngsters) as i still use stock brake and forks. (just done 400mile trip to the winter dragon rally in Wales no prob`, slept in sidecar) Thanxs
Combo Jay.

[Mauricio]

I think the GS500 and the SV650 share the same right side caliper.  These $65 adapter plates for GSXR calipers on a SV650 might be worth a look.  

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=128750

OR

I nearly pulled the trigger on this too.

The GS500 and SV650 calipers are in fact the same (at least for the 1st. Gen SV). The Made in Ethpéin stocker on the GS-F is a nerly perfect clone except for the quality. I am willing to bet this adapter plate works on the GS. One really could do a great brake update for cheap.