Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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- flyday58
- Chrome Member
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- Location: Cloudcroft NM
Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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.
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.
2005 BMW R1200GS
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
- robin1731
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
- Track T 2411
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
'78 lower measures 14 13/16 inches from axle center to top...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!
Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!
Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
- flyday58
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
Thanks for the measurements and the caution about rare bikes.
2005 BMW R1200GS
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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.
-P.
- flyday58
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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.
I’ll be keeping the OEM setup also.
2005 BMW R1200GS
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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
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.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.
-P.
- tomk1960
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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.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.
FWIW, I have one more set of these powder coated, rebuilt, and with brackets all ready to bolt on. PM me if interested.
Tom
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
- flyday58
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Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
Thanks for the info, I kinda thought that's what they came from.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.
2005 BMW R1200GS
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
- flyday58
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- Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2019 11:03 am
- Location: Cloudcroft NM
Re: Twin Piston Calipers on a 76 GL
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.
So somebody make me a reasonable offer on these dang twin piston calipers and brackets! Paid $525 for them so be gentle.
2005 BMW R1200GS
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
2008 BMW R1200RT
1988 Honda XR600R
1974 Yamaha GT80
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