Does anyone know if theres a way to bolt on another rotor to the rear on the other side to use as a non-hydralic rear hand brake?
I just want to know about the rotor ill do the rest myself, but is there a way to easy bolt on a second rotor to the back?
Why?
Yeah seriously? The only reason I can think of is to accommodate a disability.
your best bet would be to modify your existing caliper mount so you could mount 2 calipers to it, dont know about finding one that is for a cable though, what is your reason for wanting to try this? you gonna be stunting your bike, and want a hand controlled rear brake for wheelies? or is it gonna be more of a parking brake?
there isn't much room over there unless you get one of those sprocket/disc combos and there $$$$$$. then some welding for the caliper mounts, then ya, ur done.
ill echo the others : why ?
would probably be easier trying to affix a larger rotor (custom) with a longer brake mount (custom) to increase the torque the rear brake offers. Adding two....what are you overheating your rear rotor and need the additional mass to sink the heat?
re: why
because Ive hurt my right foot more times then I can count and getting tired of having to start my stops a mile ahead of time cause I only got the front brake.
You could maybe get a proportioning system that activates both calipers with one lever. ie. a twin line master cylinder w/ with larger res, then long enough lines for the rear. both brakes work with the front lever, but youll need something to reduce pressure to the back, so it feels like normal braking.
Quote from: gregvhen on October 19, 2009, 09:04:57 AM
because Ive hurt my right foot more times then I can count and getting tired of having to start my stops a mile ahead of time cause I only got the front brake.
Or save the headache and do a front swap with dual discs. Re-engineering the GS, let alone any bike, to accommodate a mod like this is costly and seemingly pointless. And if your right foot is constantly getting hurt than this would also enforce a front end swap. Less work for your foot, and maybe even less for your right hand.
A lot of racing and stunt bikes have a left hand rear brake, using a shorter lever with one caliper. Not sure of the setup though. I have seen a thumb lever for the rear brake as well.
Your front brake should be plenty of stopping power. I really dont use the rear brake all that much, for one there is alot of play that i cant get out. and 2 because its only like 10 percent of your stopping power.
Quote from: gregvhen on October 19, 2009, 09:04:57 AM
because Ive hurt my right foot more times then I can count and getting tired of having to start my stops a mile ahead of time cause I only got the front brake.
if your front brake doesn't slow you faster than your rear, something is wrong with it...
that being said, with your injury, get on stuntlife.com and hit them up for suggestions for a hand operated rear brake. they can be had for a song, and they guys/girls there really know how to setup a bike for a disabled (or soon to be) rider.
good luck, post what you come up with. interesting stuff :)
Quote from: dgyver on October 19, 2009, 10:51:36 AM
A lot of racing and stunt bikes have a left hand rear brake, using a shorter lever with one caliper. Not sure of the setup though. I have seen a thumb lever for the rear brake as well.
Like this.
http://www.rekluse.com/brake.shtml (http://www.rekluse.com/brake.shtml)
I see what you're getting at, but I don't see any reason why you would need two rear brakes. If you were I'd just try to get a custom mount made so you had one caliper on the top and bottom of the swingarm. You'd have to mount another swingarm brace. I'm not sure what the legal requirements of a back brake are. Can you get a bike inspected with only a lever on the left handlebar? If you can I'd just stick with the stock brake and switch to the handlebar lever.
If you really wanted to get creative, you could just hook up a bmx lever and run the cable down to the right rearset, then drill a hold and bolt the cable to the back of the lever you push with your foot. When you pulled the hand lever it would manually just pull the foot lever down.
I'll preface this by saying I don't know much about stunt bike set up but I do hang around with the local stunters. The stunt bikes of theirs that I have ridden have 2 levers on the left clip on. What would be our clutch lever activates the rear brake caliper and the second handle is mounted above it and works he clutch. It takes some getting used to, I've locked the rear brakes a few times when trying to shift gears :oops:
-Jessie
Quote from: glynnd89 on October 19, 2009, 02:30:06 PM
Your front brake should be plenty of stopping power. I really dont use the rear brake all that much, for one there is alot of play that i cant get out. and 2 because its only like 10 percent of your stopping power.
Echoing this. The rear brake is icing on the cake, don't worry about it. If you're getting yourself into situations on the street where you NEED close to 100% of both brakes-- stop tailgating! I (like pretty much everyone else) use only the front brake on track, and even the stock single rotor system stops the bike FAST. I suggest getting out on a deserted road somewhere and practicing a bit, you might be surprised how much braking you can do with just the front. The stock front springs will bottom out long before the wheel locks.
I put about 230k miles on 4 Hondas before I got my first GS00 using mostly the front brake only on those rear drum brake equipped Hondas. I learned to use the rear brake on my first GS and after 150k GS miles I wouldn't leave home without one. I use my GS rear brake all day long everyday. The front disc is the primary brake of course giving more of the stopping power but the rear can be a great asset on a GS once you develop a feel for it so you can brake strongly with the rear without lockup. The GS dose not have the overly powerful front brakes of the modern sport bikes that completely unload the rear wheel so the GS rear brake can add more stopping power. The rear brake will always be my choice for strong braking in corners when in too fast or when something surprises me in a blind corner. Rear brake in a corner settles the suspension much the same as throttle does. I favor using all three brakes all the time; front, rear, and engine. Learning to use the rear brake can be the only dual brake conversion you'll ever need. :thumb:
Hmm.... I'd be careful taking turns using both the back brake and engine braking, that sounds redundant. The rear brake on a GS is more than capable with providing enough force to lock up the back wheel without too much effort.
Aside from that, do you ever just use engine braking? I think your best option would probably be to leave the rear brake as it is, but when you want to slow down/stop, just downshift and start to let the clutch out to slow the back tire while you use the brake on the front wheel. I've also spent a lot of time using nothing but the front brake. I don't think I'd go riding without having the back brake there incase of emergency, but even if your leg hurts, it still wouldn't stop you frmo stomping on the back brake once if you needed it.