Cbr600f4i calipers and m/c install - in progress
04-02-2009, 04:51 PM
#1
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Cbr600f4i calipers and m/c install - in progress
Just picked up an f4i complete front brake set up for 76 shipped. I will be detailing a walk through on the modification once I get the items. I think I will clean them out and possibly paint them after grinding down the required notch. Any feedback from those who have done the mod would be awesome.
04-02-2009, 05:51 PM
#2
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i did notch my f4i calipers but i also looked at the tabs on the forks and cleaned them up a bit. i didn't take much off the tabs sort of trued them up... molds aren't perfect.
mounted them up 20 or so times to make sure i removed the minimum amount of material. take your time.
tim
mounted them up 20 or so times to make sure i removed the minimum amount of material. take your time.
tim
04-02-2009, 06:32 PM
#3
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i did notch my f4i calipers but i also looked at the tabs on the forks and cleaned them up a bit. i didn't take much off the tabs sort of trued them up... molds aren't perfect.
mounted them up 20 or so times to make sure i removed the minimum amount of material. take your time.
tim
mounted them up 20 or so times to make sure i removed the minimum amount of material. take your time.
tim
04-02-2009, 06:52 PM
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i didn't find any pads that worked well in the stock calipers ( i ride A group trackdays ). i wanted to try Vesrah RJL pads since everybody ravs about them. so i switched calipers just to run those pads. i have a 5/8" MC from the 900rr and braided lines. i can only say i'm really happy with my setup, very good bite & ZERO brake fade at track speeds !
a true test to how well the mod works ( just the calipers ) would be to run the same pads... i didn't do that.
tim
04-02-2009, 09:24 PM
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Grind them and bolt 'em on. I used a drill with a few bits. Took a while to do that but the rest was simply removing the stockers and bolting on the F4i setup. Bleed them well.
I don't really notice a difference, but I didn't ride it back to back. I mean they feel good and according to the specs should be better so I guess they are stronger.
I don't really notice a difference, but I didn't ride it back to back. I mean they feel good and according to the specs should be better so I guess they are stronger.
04-02-2009, 09:52 PM
#6
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I did the same swap a while ago... great upgrade. At first I only had the F4i calipers with the stock VTR M/C... not very impressive. They really woke up when I switched to the F4i M/C. I used a Dremel to take away the excess metal. It took a while as I kept mounting them to see exactly how much need to be removed. I also recommend replacing the seals while you have them apart... and give them a good cleaning. I'm not sure what paint they use on them at the factory, but rattle definitely will not cut it. the first time you hit them with brake cleaner it's gonna f'up your paint. after you are done bleeding them I recommend pulling the brake lever halfway in and using a zip-tie to hold in place overnight. angle the master cylinder so that the reservoir is at the highest point, then let it sit overnight like that.
Last edited by inderocker; 04-02-2009 at 09:55 PM.
04-03-2009, 05:03 PM
#7
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Thanks for everyones input. I was looking into doing the seals, looks like around 4 seals all together about 8 bucks a piece I think. Any idea on pads, I have heard of the top end being the Vesrah then the mid range to be the EBC, while I just found some no namers on ebay for about 10 bucks. As usual here goes spending more money. ill also be selling the perfectly working stockers. There is a guys on craigslist Phoenix that is selling a complete RC51 front brake setup, no price he says he just wants to get rid of the stuff.
04-03-2009, 05:19 PM
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Thanks for everyones input. I was looking into doing the seals, looks like around 4 seals all together about 8 bucks a piece I think. Any idea on pads, I have heard of the top end being the Vesrah then the mid range to be the EBC, while I just found some no namers on ebay for about 10 bucks. As usual here goes spending more money. ill also be selling the perfectly working stockers. There is a guys on craigslist Phoenix that is selling a complete RC51 front brake setup, no price he says he just wants to get rid of the stuff.
SBS, hated them.
EBC HH, great initial bite ( maybe a little too much ) but fade when hot. if your not riding the track or quick pace street riding they are fine.
Vesrah RJL, i absolutely love them.
seals. i was in the same boat and went to the local performance shop, i know the owner, and asked about buying them. he told me he RARELY sees any leaks. i reused them, cleaned the calipers & soked the seals in brake fluid & reinstalled. no problems.
tim
04-04-2009, 02:21 PM
#9
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imo... pads:
SBS, hated them.
EBC HH, great initial bite ( maybe a little too much ) but fade when hot. if your not riding the track or quick pace street riding they are fine.
Vesrah RJL, i absolutely love them.
seals. i was in the same boat and went to the local performance shop, i know the owner, and asked about buying them. he told me he RARELY sees any leaks. i reused them, cleaned the calipers & soked the seals in brake fluid & reinstalled. no problems.
tim
SBS, hated them.
EBC HH, great initial bite ( maybe a little too much ) but fade when hot. if your not riding the track or quick pace street riding they are fine.
Vesrah RJL, i absolutely love them.
seals. i was in the same boat and went to the local performance shop, i know the owner, and asked about buying them. he told me he RARELY sees any leaks. i reused them, cleaned the calipers & soked the seals in brake fluid & reinstalled. no problems.
tim
04-04-2009, 08:59 PM
#10
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I have done the same swap as you are doing. Very nice result, so you should be happy with the difference. I have braided lines as well.
Tungsten carbide grinding tips are the best to use. I use brake caliper paint which you can get in a spray can. Pretty good stuff.
Tungsten carbide grinding tips are the best to use. I use brake caliper paint which you can get in a spray can. Pretty good stuff.
04-04-2009, 10:42 PM
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Put some EBC HH pads in mine yesterday and tested them out today and the brakes feel amazing. I was going into turns with the rear tire practically off the ground. Definitely don't need my rear brake anymore, the front will suffice.
04-04-2009, 11:32 PM
#12
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Can you guys post close up pics of your calipers mounted. That way I can see the way you ground them as well as see how the painted ones look. Also do I use the caliper bolts from the F4I set or the stock ones.
04-05-2009, 07:46 AM
#13
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caliper picture
not sure if this helps, but these are RC 51 calipers on the Hawk.
I used a dremel with a couple of grinding bits. It is a slow process as the bits get junked up.
I then used gold paint. ( in the picture it shows where I repainted, but on the bike you cant tell there is two slightly different color golds on the calipers.)
I mounted them probably 20 times for the first one, then used a template for the second which took five minutes.
I used a dremel with a couple of grinding bits. It is a slow process as the bits get junked up.
I then used gold paint. ( in the picture it shows where I repainted, but on the bike you cant tell there is two slightly different color golds on the calipers.)
I mounted them probably 20 times for the first one, then used a template for the second which took five minutes.
04-05-2009, 08:52 AM
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tim
04-06-2009, 06:39 PM
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The VTR bolts will mount the calipers fine.
I don't have a better pic than what is already posted here. As for the paint quality, mine looks just as good as new factory paint. It is proper brake caliper paint and is pretty good stuff, but as mentioned already, the factory paint is hard to beat. You could no doubt match it if you stripped the calipers and gave them a baked finish before re-assembly.
I don't have a better pic than what is already posted here. As for the paint quality, mine looks just as good as new factory paint. It is proper brake caliper paint and is pretty good stuff, but as mentioned already, the factory paint is hard to beat. You could no doubt match it if you stripped the calipers and gave them a baked finish before re-assembly.
04-06-2009, 06:43 PM
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Awesome. I could not tell from the pics of the auction if the black was still in good condition or needed to be painted. Of course the guy is the worst ebayer ever, I paid within a few seconds of auction end and will not respond to emails and I have no clue if the things shipped yet.
04-11-2009, 12:59 AM
#17
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Done. I guess I got a little excited and did not take many pics. Everything is done. Got the calipers and EBC Double H pads in. Grinded down the caliper which was very easy, I took a little off the forks and the rest off the calipers. Calipers were in good shape so no painting needed. I highly recommend this upgrade to anyone out there running stock. Brakes kick in much sooner and are rock solid from there, plus the look of the integrated fluid resovoir is a plus. Thanks for the help from everyone. Ill post some of the pics in the next couple days.
05-22-2009, 07:15 PM
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Well after trying yruyur's brakes, I had to do this myself (even over the 954 brake setup) so I got in my parts..
Brakes everywhere!:
Compared to the ST1100 Clutch MC I also got:
Ye new brakepads:
Going to finish this tomorrow.
Brakes everywhere!:
Compared to the ST1100 Clutch MC I also got:
Ye new brakepads:
Going to finish this tomorrow.
05-23-2009, 12:05 AM
#19
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Decent price on calipers
If anyone is looking for 929/954 calipers here's a reasonable price, especially if you're in the NY area:
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1184764342.html
And EBC pads for them:
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1184763894.html
It's not me selling them; just passing it along. I've already done the front 929 caliper/master cylinder swap on my Superhawk, and it made a big difference.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1184764342.html
And EBC pads for them:
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1184763894.html
It's not me selling them; just passing it along. I've already done the front 929 caliper/master cylinder swap on my Superhawk, and it made a big difference.
05-23-2009, 05:41 AM
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Has anyone tried replacing the MC/lever only? It sounds like that aspect has a bigger impact than the calipers themselves.
Also, is it possible to file away the interfering metal on the calipers? (I rarely need a dremmel and don't want to spend the $$ Yeah, I'm cheap.
Also, is it possible to file away the interfering metal on the calipers? (I rarely need a dremmel and don't want to spend the $$ Yeah, I'm cheap.
05-23-2009, 06:25 AM
#21
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I suppose it would be possible but you need to get into something of a pocket. I think you'd be better off with a small sanding drum in an electric drill (you can get them at Home Depot). It'll take longer, but would certainly leave a nicer finish.
05-23-2009, 07:27 AM
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Has anyone tried replacing the MC/lever only? It sounds like that aspect has a bigger impact than the calipers themselves.
Also, is it possible to file away the interfering metal on the calipers? (I rarely need a dremmel and don't want to spend the $$ Yeah, I'm cheap.
Also, is it possible to file away the interfering metal on the calipers? (I rarely need a dremmel and don't want to spend the $$ Yeah, I'm cheap.
tim
05-23-2009, 08:03 AM
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Has anyone tried replacing the MC/lever only? It sounds like that aspect has a bigger impact than the calipers themselves.
Also, is it possible to file away the interfering metal on the calipers? (I rarely need a dremmel and don't want to spend the $$ Yeah, I'm cheap.
Also, is it possible to file away the interfering metal on the calipers? (I rarely need a dremmel and don't want to spend the $$ Yeah, I'm cheap.
From this thread: https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=13176
I don't know about GSX-Rs except for the 2000-2001 GSX-R 1000. Those are a direct bolt-on.
The F4, F4i, 600RR, RC51, 929RR, 954RR calipers are all externally identical, and they need slight grinding to clear the mounting bracket on the VTR fork leg. Other than that, they bolt on and work quite well. The caliper piston and master cylinder sizes vary from model to model and year to year. Here is a little chart I put together awhile back with all the data. I also believe the 919 calipers and maybe some others will fit, but I haven't really looked into it.
2003-2004 CBR600RR mc 11/16” (17.4625 mm)
caliper pistons 32mm/30mm
2000-2001 CBR929RR mc 19mm
caliper pistons 34mm/30mm
2002-2003 CBR954RR mc 11/16” (17.4625 mm)
caliper pistons 32mm/30mm
2000-2001 RC51 mc 19mm
caliper pistons 34mm/32mm
2002-present RC51 mc 11/16” (17.4625 mm)
caliper pistons 32mm/30mm
1999-Present CBR600F4(i) mc 5/8” (15.87mm)
caliper pistons 34mm/32mm
The F4, F4i, 600RR, RC51, 929RR, 954RR calipers are all externally identical, and they need slight grinding to clear the mounting bracket on the VTR fork leg. Other than that, they bolt on and work quite well. The caliper piston and master cylinder sizes vary from model to model and year to year. Here is a little chart I put together awhile back with all the data. I also believe the 919 calipers and maybe some others will fit, but I haven't really looked into it.
2003-2004 CBR600RR mc 11/16” (17.4625 mm)
caliper pistons 32mm/30mm
2000-2001 CBR929RR mc 19mm
caliper pistons 34mm/30mm
2002-2003 CBR954RR mc 11/16” (17.4625 mm)
caliper pistons 32mm/30mm
2000-2001 RC51 mc 19mm
caliper pistons 34mm/32mm
2002-present RC51 mc 11/16” (17.4625 mm)
caliper pistons 32mm/30mm
1999-Present CBR600F4(i) mc 5/8” (15.87mm)
caliper pistons 34mm/32mm
caliper pistons 30mm/27mm
So the stock caliper pistons are quite a bit smaller than any other one out there..
Besides a complete F4i setup off ebay can be gotten quite cheap if you have patience.
05-23-2009, 02:12 PM
#24
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I had a friend who typucally replaced the MC on his bikes, Gixxers, with a Brembo MC. He swore by the Brembo upgrade. The price is a big detraction, though.
I can't help but wonder what it is that led Honda to use different calipers from the F4 series in the first place - what were they thinking?
I can't help but wonder what it is that led Honda to use different calipers from the F4 series in the first place - what were they thinking?
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