KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: Rotorised on August 31, 2008, 10:53:30 PM
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Hey guys, not sure if this has been posted before but a quick an easy way to improve the front brakes on the ole girl is to bolt on a kxf450 front brake master cylinder. No mods required just unbolt the old, bolt up the new and bleed the brakes. The guy at my local Kawa shop recommended it and after having done it i can say it was well worth it. The brake feel has improved dramatically on my bike and i no longer have a rattling front brake lever. Well worth the $50 i paid on ebay. :-D enjoy
Brad
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do you have photo? i am wonderig if cable still routes under brake assembly. I know in the past people have used kx250 brake lines and calipers also. i am considering doing this my my k5
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I am just talking about the brake master cylinder (the part that clamps onto the handle bars) not the brake caliper. Just changing this part made a noticable difference to brake feel on my bike.
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Changing the brake line will help also. All model's today have the "Honda CR" style front brake line (direct from master cylinder to the caliper without wrapping under the caliper).
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On my 92 I replaced the front brake lever with a 92 CR250 lever, based on a magazine article. It changes the leverage at the master cylinder and vastly improved the brake power and feel. Cam.
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found this old thread while i was searching for brake tips. i iwant to redo my brakes and wanted a good summary post of everything that works to make an awsome brake setup
1) what year kxf450 front brake master cylinder works for kx500s?
2) who makes the honda front routed brake cable and will it fit on a kxf450 brake master cylinder recommedned above?
3) i will order the cr250 brake lever
4) i have heard dp pads work good. what about rotors? any need to go oversize? what pads does everyone recommend?
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On my 92 I rad the 92 CR250 lever, DP pads and good fluid. I like strong front brakes with great feel and that combo kept me happy. Next option would have been to add a braided line. If you can feel your line bulge when you squeezae the lever then you are losing braking power in the brake line. Cam.
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thanks. the lever is the less expensive mod so i will try that.
i just foundRIDE ENGINEERING CR FRONT BRAKE LINE KIT
1994 KAWASAKI KX500 change for $89.99
at http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/product/RIDE-ENGINEERING-CR-FRONT-BRAKE-LINE-KIT/?catalogId=108258&catID=43&pcatID=4&catName=Brakes&pcatName=Dirt+Bike+Parts&tnc=1&srchHistoryURL=bhsoxezo||parentCategoryID~1^superParentCategoryID~category_root^parentCategoryName~Dirt^categoryID~4^categoryName~Dirt Bike Parts^subCategoryName~Brakes^subCategoryID~43
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On my 92 I rad the 92 CR250 lever, DP pads and good fluid. I like strong front brakes with great feel and that combo kept me happy. Next option would have been to add a braided line. If you can feel your line bulge when you squeezae the lever then you are losing braking power in the brake line. Cam.
Kawasaki front brakes sucked back in the 80's, and 90's all the way up to '02? I have never really been able to get a firm feel on KX brakes. When I purchased my '07 YZ450F, I kept launching myself right over the bars with just a gentile feminine pull on the front brake lever (and this was just trying to get my bike up on my trailer :)
No wonder I keep washing out, entering every corner :)
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dsrtrider,
I think you will be very happy with the CR brake line & a good set of HH+ pads, but keep in mind you will need a way to attach the cable to your fork guard preventing the cable from hanging on your # plate or top tree. I had a set of carbon guards made with the honda tab done for mine. 2001 & up KX has a different M/C & is not an issue but on any before the stock setup needs alot of improvement. I had tried everything to get front brakes 15 years ago & the biggest improvement came from the Honda line. Keep us posted how it works out for you & if you need pics of the guards I had made let me know.
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I don't find that my excellent 07 CRF front brake is that much better than my modded K5 front brake. The CR lever made the biggest difference + careful bleeding and best fluid you can get. The KX bleeds nice, the CRF brake is a bugger to bleed. The only KX brake issue I had was that after 10 years it started squeeling. Never could find out why but some auto "squeel stopper" glue on the back of the pads worked the charm. Cam.
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I replaced my complete front brake with a Honda setup on my AF and it made a very big difference.
P.S. Does anyone want a stock KX450 brake? :-)
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Me!!
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Doldguy P.M. you
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if you have some photos i would be interested thanks! and thanks for everyones input
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Did anyone ever figure out what year 450 master? Looking for all the brakes I can get on a budget.
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dsrtrider,
I think you will be very happy with the CR brake line & a good set of HH+ pads, but keep in mind you will need a way to attach the cable to your fork guard preventing the cable from hanging on your # plate or top tree. I had a set of carbon guards made with the honda tab done for mine. 2001 & up KX has a different M/C & is not an issue but on any before the stock setup needs alot of improvement. I had tried everything to get front brakes 15 years ago & the biggest improvement came from the Honda line. Keep us posted how it works out for you & if you need pics of the guards I had made let me know.
I searched but can't seem to find any good gallery pics of the CR style lines on a stock KX500 fork/caliper. I'd be interested in seeing an example that represents a 2001 KX500, and if I'd need to make that fork guard mod. Got any pics?
So Doldguy, based on your above post, is the KXF450 master cylinder upgrade not needed on a 2001 KX500?
Barry
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Check your Master Cylinder for the # 11 (by the banjo bolt). If you have this, you have the "Good" Master Cylinder (it has the larger piston). The CR style direct routing will still make a noticeable difference & makes bleeding all of the air out much easier. I will try to get some pics of the fork guards & post them as it will be much better then attempting a description. I personally like the HH+ pads, they offer a substantial increase in bite.
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Finally have the pics to post. These guards are made for the KX Series (125/250/500) and are Carbon Fiber and Very Stiff so they do not need a guide on the stanchion tube which allows the use of the Honda Style Routing. I have had these since my Moto Days & Purchased them from DSP/Willy Amaradio at the time. It is my understanding he sold/merged with FMF & that relationship has terminated. I dont know if he is still producing the Carbon Fiber stuff or not, but see he is still involved in the sport (read about him in Cycle News / REM events for Old Guys like me). I have seen some other Carbon guards (light speed) but they were no where near as stiff as these and you would have to use the fork guard guides on them & to answer the obvious question, no the stock plastic guards are not stiff enough either. If you find any info on Willy please post & I will do the same.
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Thanks for following up and getting these shots.
I have a set of DSP guards new that I have never installed. Will have to pursue this.
Did you have to grind your DSPs in the mounting area to get them to fit without stress?
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No, they bolted right on. Sounds like you just need the Tab :-D Keep us posted on your opinion
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Bump........for Joko (working from my iPhone.. No copy/paste)
DoldGuy
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Got Your Back Bro!
now there are two in a row. (Front brake mod that is):lol:
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if you have some photos i would be interested thanks! and thanks for everyones input
I doubt it seeing as how this peticular thread was started 3 years ago.....
do some searching you will most likely find some pics, it's a popular KX mod.
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if you have some photos i would be interested thanks! and thanks for everyones input
I doubt it seeing as how this peticular thread was started 3 years ago.....
do some searching you will most likely find some pics, it's a popular KX mod.
Pics on this thread......reply #18
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if you have some photos i would be interested thanks! and thanks for everyones input
I doubt it seeing as how this peticular thread was started 3 years ago.....
do some searching you will most likely find some pics, it's a popular KX mod.
Pics on this thread......reply #18
OK that was strange, when I was posting my commente above, I did'ne see any pics within this post ? OK, so now I see them. I retract my above comment :D