Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

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flyday58
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Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

#1

Post by flyday58 »

I've decided to go ahead and get these twin piston calipers installed on my 76 LTD because I need the singles for the other 76 I'm trying to sell. I bought a set of forks off a 79 back in January for the 76 Standard, not knowing they wouldn't just swap in, so they've been sitting in a corner of my shop ever since.

I mounted them in the LTD for a test fit and noticed right away that the lowers are longer on the 79 forks than the 76. Partzilla showes the uppers as being the same for 75-79s but I want to confirm before I rebuild them. Can someone get me a measurement of the lengths of the lowers on a 78 or 79? I'm pretty sure what I've got will work but need to make sure.

I now seem to recall that I might not get the gold anodized spoke front wheel to fit either, if someone knows that would be a big help. That info may be somewhere in the 'twin piston calipers on a 78 GL' thread, I'll have another look.
Thanks to all for the help.
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robin1731
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

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Post by robin1731 »

Don't have an answer but by modifying an LTD you know you lower it's value. It's obvious I don't always leave one stock but certain bikes need to left the way they cam from the factory. Like low production number bikes such as the 76 LTD. Just my opinion of course. anim-cheers1
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

#3

Post by Track T 2411 »

'78 lower measures 14 13/16 inches from axle center to top...
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

#4

Post by flyday58 »

Thanks for the measurements and the caution about rare bikes.
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

#5

Post by pjlogue »

I just got done putting twin piston calipers on my '76. I use '78 forks and '82 750F calipers and brackets. I ran into a problem with the the side with interference with the bracket with the disk. I milled ~2mm off the bracket in order to move it outboard. My set up works great and stopping power is much better. I have braided stainless lines as well. I have saved the old forks and calipers as my '76 is a LTD and want to be able to put it to stock if needed.

-P.
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

#6

Post by flyday58 »

I got the calipers with brackets installed already from tomk1960 so I don’t know what brackets I have. I’ll be doing a more in-depth test fit tomorrow before I order any seals to rebuild the forks. I also may go the CB900 fender route to eliminate interference with the current fender braces.
I’ll be keeping the OEM setup also.
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

#7

Post by low-side »

Will the 6 bolt rotors work with the 2 piston calipers? I thought that they were too thick.
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

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Post by pjlogue »

flyday58 wrote:I got the calipers with brackets installed already from tomk1960 so I don’t know what brackets I have. I’ll be doing a more in-depth test fit tomorrow before I order any seals to rebuild the forks. I also may go the CB900 fender route to eliminate interference with the current fender braces.
I’ll be keeping the OEM setup also.
Yea, I ran into the fender brace issue. I just took mine off for the time being. I had forgotten that was a second issue.

-P.
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

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Post by tomk1960 »

flyday58 wrote:I got the calipers with brackets installed already from tomk1960 so I don’t know what brackets I have. I’ll be doing a more in-depth test fit tomorrow before I order any seals to rebuild the forks. I also may go the CB900 fender route to eliminate interference with the current fender braces.
I’ll be keeping the OEM setup also.
Your brackets were originally meant for a 750F/900F. Nice fit and nearly invisible. I love the brakes on my GL and never think about them any more since they do the job.

FWIW, I have one more set of these powder coated, rebuilt, and with brackets all ready to bolt on. PM me if interested.

Tom
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

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Post by flyday58 »

tomk1960 wrote:Your brackets were originally meant for a 750F/900F. Nice fit and nearly invisible. I love the brakes on my GL and never think about them any more since they do the job.
Thanks for the info, I kinda thought that's what they came from.
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL

#11

Post by flyday58 »

So made some notes to myself so I don't put y'all through this again. I won't be doing the brake swap because of the fact that the bike is a 76 Limited. I went to a lot of expense to acquire gold-anodized spoked rims to return the bike to stock setup; the later forks won't accept those rims. The speedo gearbox needs to swap sides but the correct item looks to be for a Comstar or similar rim, not spoked. Too many compromises. And truthfully, since I refurbished the calipers and installed new Galfer SS brake lines, I'm very happy with the braking on the bike.

So somebody make me a reasonable offer on these dang twin piston calipers and brackets! Paid $525 for them so be gentle.
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