Conversion from Drum to Disc Brakes possible?

[bosslady]

My husband and I just purchased a 1999 HD FLHRCI (Road King Classic) with a Motortrike conversion kit. I think it's a Trog kit (unsure) but it has air ride suspension and

drum brakes. Does anyone know if this can be converted to Disc brakes and what the cost would be? Thanks in advance!

 

[rhino 2]

Patti.........Welcome to Trike -Talk.........:wave4:...

 

[bosslady]

Thank you!

 

[Gorilla]

Patti welcome aboard

I don't know about cost but maybe Richard will step in to give you guidance.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thr...rsion-for-Motortrike-9-quot-drum-brake-system

 

[trike tech]

Patti welcome aboard

I don't know about cost but maybe Richard will step in to give you guidance.

Been one of those crazy days today.. The official MT reply would be, our solid axle HD conversions are only available with drum brakes & we do not have a disc brake system that will work with our solid axle kits (liability & all that jazz).

With that being said much like the write up that was linked above it is possible & has been done more than once with aftermarket parts & components. The thing you do want to stay aware of & keep in the front of your mind when shopping - you have a limited master cylinder size & limited pedal travel and no power brakes (like most cars that calipers are "borrowed" from.

 

[Gorilla]

thank you for responding richard

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Been one of those crazy days today.. The official MT reply would be, our solid axle HD conversions are only available with drum brakes & we do not have a disc brake system that will work with our solid axle kits (liability & all that jazz).

With that being said much like the write up that was linked above it is possible & has been done more than once with aftermarket parts & components. The thing you do want to stay aware of & keep in the front of your mind when shopping - you have a limited master cylinder size & limited pedal travel and no power brakes (like most cars that calipers are "borrowed" from.

Richard, the kit referred to is the one Lehman used on the rear axles before 2010. The motorcycle m/c was used with a residual check valve at the tee. I have converted the shaft drive MT straight axle from drum to disc, but never done the belt drive model. Probably because they are 5 lug axles. What axle bearings are used in the MT (RW207CCRA is used in all Lehman 2012 and earlier) ?

Patti, welcome to Trike Talk from West Virginia.:wave4::wave4:

 

[trike tech]

Richard, the kit referred to is the one Lehman used on the rear axles before 2010. The motorcycle m/c was used with a residual check valve at the tee. I have converted the shaft drive MT straight axle from drum to disc, but never done the belt drive model. Probably because they are 5 lug axles. What axle bearings are used in the MT (RW207CCRA is used in all Lehman 2012 and earlier) ?

Patti, welcome to Trike Talk from West Virginia.:wave4::wave4:

I've got a "cheat sheet" for the common parts store parts for the 7.5 diff (shaft drive bikes like the Valkyrie); the axle bearings are p/n R1563 (ironically enough, it's also the same bearings my Jeep uses :Shrug On our HD conversions we do use the same 207 bearing that they used, yes.

 

[bosslady]

I've got a "cheat sheet" for the common parts store parts for the 7.5 diff (shaft drive bikes like the Valkyrie); the axle bearings are p/n R1563 (ironically enough, it's also the same bearings my Jeep uses :Shrug On our HD conversions we do use the same 207 bearing that they used, yes.

I guess I'm wondering.....is there a reason why the Trog kit doesn't have the disk brake option? I guess I just assumed a company like MT would offer that, or at the very least, begin looking into it. The only other option would be to see about switching completely over to the Gladiator kit.

Well, guess it isn't a big deal. Heck, I'm just happy to have the trike....always wanted one. Beggars can't be choosers! :GL1800:

 

[peteg59]

Welcome to TT to both you and your hubby, Bosslady/Patti.

Anything can be done with the right mechanic/fabricator. Unfortunately, the cost to do the conversion may outweigh the added braking performance you get from such a project. Especially if you have to pay someone to research, engineer, secure parts, and actually go hands on to modify your trike. Not trying to discourage you however if that's what you really want.

Are the brakes not working? (Just wondering why you feel the need to "upgrade")

 

[bosslady]

They are working fine as far as I know. The hubby says the trike pulls to the right a bit when the rear brakes are used.

 

[Ray55]

need to adjust the left brake, if it pulls to the right.

 

[trikeman]

:wave4:

 

[Jack Klarich]

need to adjust the left brake, if it pulls to the right.

It would not hurt to pull the wheels and drums and have a look @ the shoes, wheel cylinders and hardware

Bleeding the brakes will be a plus to get old moisture bearing fluid out of the system

 

[ShapeShifter]

Hello!

:wave4atti, Welcome from SW Arkansas.

 

[bosslady]

:wave4atti, Welcome from SW Arkansas.

Thanks! :-D

 

[trike tech]

I guess I'm wondering.....is there a reason why the Trog kit doesn't have the disk brake option? I guess I just assumed a company like MT would offer that, or at the very least, begin looking into it. The only other option would be to see about switching completely over to the Gladiator kit.

Well, guess it isn't a big deal. Heck, I'm just happy to have the trike....always wanted one. Beggars can't be choosers! :GL1800:

The short answer - the calipers for the s/a kits were designed around the linked braking system of the GL1800. It was looked into briefly as a conversion for other s/a bikes but they did not work well at all because of the difference in master cylinder bore & stroke (along with the other bikes only feeding a single line to the rear). With either port being used it was either HORRIBLE braking or the pedal was so hard you had to stand up on the pedal to apply enough pressure to do anything.

The other side of that coin - The drum brakes are basic automotive parts readily available at any parts store. The calipers are custom manufactured & only available through Motor Trike dealers & are pricey as a result.

 

[Pappy49]

I've got a "cheat sheet" for the common parts store parts for the 7.5 diff (shaft drive bikes like the Valkyrie); the axle bearings are p/n R1563 (ironically enough, it's also the same bearings my Jeep uses :Shrug On our HD conversions we do use the same 207 bearing that they used, yes.

Richard, is there any kind of a 'cheat sheet' or parts list for the Trog axles. I need to break mine on my '02 Glide down and replace the bearings. I would think you would have an illustrated parts diagram available.

 

[Thomas Berry]

My husband and I just purchased a 1999 HD FLHRCI (Road King Classic) with a Motortrike conversion kit. I think it's a Trog kit (unsure) but it has air ride suspension and

drum brakes. Does anyone know if this can be converted to Disc brakes and what the cost would be? Thanks in advance!

Hi, for your info, I ride a GoldWing Trike with Lehman conversion with drum brakes. I ask our GoldWing dealer the same question about changing to disc brakes on my trike. He ask me why? He said most people preferred the stopping power of drum brakes because they thought they stopped better than disc brakes. Much more shoe surface against the drum. That`s what I was told. I rode a Trike at the dealer with disc brakes and I really could not tell much difference.

 

[rhino 2]

Hi, for your info, I ride a GoldWing Trike with Lehman conversion with drum brakes. I ask our GoldWing dealer the same question about changing to disc brakes on my trike. He ask me why? He said most people preferred the stopping power of drum brakes because they thought they stopped better than disc brakes. Much more shoe surface against the drum. That`s what I was told. I rode a Trike at the dealer with disc brakes and I really could not tell much difference.

If you ride in the mountains and are heavy on the brakes they can fade/stoping power from heat buildup.....But the worst problem is in the rain, They will lose considerable stopping power when wet.....

 

[Thomas Berry]

If you ride in the mountains and are heavy on the brakes they can fade/stoping power from heat buildup.....But the worst problem is in the rain, They will lose considerable stopping power when wet.....

Which brake system are you referring to about getting wet and fading?

Disc or Drum. Drum brakes should not get wet.

 

[rhino 2]

Which brake system are you referring to about getting wet and fading?

Disc or Drum. Drum brakes should not get wet.

Drum...........And they do get wet..Before disc were standard from about the 70's .

The SOP when driving though puddles/standing water and or heavy rain was to lightly ride the brakes to dry the drums/pads so if you had to make a fast stop you could....Where as the pads on disc brakes are always lightly rubbing the rotors helping to keep them dry...

 

[Jack Klarich]

Drum...........And they do get wet..Before disc were standard from about the 70's .

The SOP when driving though puddles/standing water and or heavy rain was to lightly ride the brakes to dry the drums/pads so if you had to make a fast stop you could....Where as the pads on disc brakes are always lightly rubbing the rotors helping to keep them dry...

That is correct about disc brakes, however drum brakes worked with residual pressure in the wheel cylinders so they would be ready for a stop.

This worked good with the later drum brakes with self adjusters

Drum brakes were also more prone to lock up compared to modern day discs

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Hi, for your info, I ride a GoldWing Trike with Lehman conversion with drum brakes. I ask our GoldWing dealer the same question about changing to disc brakes on my trike. He ask me why? He said most people preferred the stopping power of drum brakes because they thought they stopped better than disc brakes. Much more shoe surface against the drum. That`s what I was told. I rode a Trike at the dealer with disc brakes and I really could not tell much difference.

Over the years I have built well over 300 Lehman Trikes with the majority of these being drum brake units. Until Lehman started making disc brakes standard rather than optional, the only requests for disc brakes I had were from someone that was in deep water and their drum brakes wouldn't stop or pulled dramatically until dry. I have sold several sets in that case solving that issue. Today people want the disc brake to get away from the old drum brake, something they just don't understand I guess. I have sold far more of these kits as an upgrade, rather than an improvement over drum brakes.

Drum brakes can last 80,000 miles without abuse and require periodic adjustment from time to time and don't spread the wheel dust or make the noise of their disc brake counterpart.

From a re-selling point, disc brakes are modern and have advantages.

 

[hackryder]

Over the years I have built well over 300 Lehman Trikes with the majority of these being drum brake units. Until Lehman started making disc brakes standard rather than optional, the only requests for disc brakes I had were from someone that was in deep water and their drum brakes wouldn't stop or pulled dramatically until dry. I have sold several sets in that case solving that issue. Today people want the disc brake to get away from the old drum brake, something they just don't understand I guess. I have sold far more of these kits as an upgrade, rather than an improvement over drum brakes.

Drum brakes can last 80,000 miles without abuse and require periodic adjustment from time to time and don't spread the wheel dust or make the noise of their disc brake counterpart.

Agree with you on the drum brakes Lee. I have owned more motorcycles than I can count on my fingers, toes and other appendages, several running hacks (sidecars) two trike conversions and now a Triglide that my wife and friends have nicknamed John's Money Pit for reasons I am sure most of you understand. First trike was an older Lehman conversion in cherry cond and had the drum brakes. The second was a newer different brand conversion and had discs. The drum braked conversion out performed the newer disc braked trike by a mile.

 

[1550vt]

My husband and I just purchased a 1999 HD FLHRCI (Road King Classic) with a Motortrike conversion kit. I think it's a Trog kit (unsure) but it has air ride suspension and

drum brakes. Does anyone know if this can be converted to Disc brakes and what the cost would be? Thanks in advance!

Yes...I have done several. If a member named Scott sees this, I cannot seem to respond to private messages.

Anyone can email me at rogermoak@hotmail.com for assistance.

 

[rhino 2]

Yes...I have done several. If a member named Scott sees this, I cannot seem to respond to personal messages.



Anyone can email me at rogermoak@hotmail.com for assistance.

Only Gold Club Members Can PM......

 

[1550vt]

Only Gold Club Members Can PM......

I was an active member for years, but have been out of riding for a while now and have not been back here to the site for quite a while. I received a PM from a member, which I cannot respond to and have no desire to get that active again.

I have converted Harley/Lehman drums to disc brakes and have helped others, even Lehman kitted Honda's. I am not interested in becoming active again at my age and state-of-health, but have retained all my plans and instructions. I will be happy to share those with anyone wishing to undertake the conversion project. All they have to do is email me at.........rogermoak@hotmail.com.

 

[Scott1]

Yes...I have done several. If a member named Scott sees this, I cannot seem to respond to personal messages.

Anyone can email me at rogermoak@hotmail.com for assistance.

I sent you a email.

This board is so restrictive $$ and anyone should be able to send & receive PM's. It saves on posts that don't need to be viewed or to much detail that everyone would not be interested in.

Greg