disc brks

[oldchile]

I have a 1999 RK/04MT-TROG it has drum brks. Has any one changed there
's to disc bks ? Any info would be helpful thanks . oldchile

 

[1550vt]

The first thing I would do is contact MT and see if they offer a conversion kit. In my case, as well as all the other Lehman kitted drum brake owners, Lehman does not offer a kit and would love to sell you an entire new rear-end for $4,000.

I have a plan that I have shared with many Lehman kit owners, but I am not sure what the MT specifics are on your kit in terms of hub bolt pattern, axle flange pattern, axle retention system, etc. It can certainly be done and if you want to PM me...I will give you my e-mail address and tell you how my design is put together, but it is specific to the Ford 8.8 axle flange pattern, which is still found on today's TG. For between $200-$300 you can get a good set of rear disc on a Lehman kitted trike. The hot-rod boys make this conversion on anything that rolls and it could be done on yours as well....after lots of research and a bit of elbow grease. I have the caliper and bracket design that will work with your stock master cylinder, but we would have to come up with a rotor....which would not be that had to do.

 

[bullet 10]

Don't be to quick to give up your drum brakes, rode a 99 RK TROG for 10 years with drum brakes am now riding a TRI with disc brakes and not much difference in stopping, with front being most of stopping power anyway, just keep them adjusted as reccomended by Motor TRike.

 

[1550vt]

I would certainly not disagree at all that there is nothing wrong with drums, as long as you can get and keep them equally adjusted. If for some reason you can't, it only takes a time-or-two to hit the rears in a pinch and get pulled out into oncoming traffic, or the other side of the road to make you reconsider. I also agree the fronts have a lot of stopping power just like on a two-wheeler, unless you really have to use them in an emergency. That front tire will easily slide if that is all you have to depend on....especially on a damp or rainy day. Those two big rear tires have 90% of the contact-patch on the road and I think you should be able to clamp-down on the rears and slide both rear wheels in a straight line at any speed. If you can't do that, or they tend to pull because of poor adjustment....you need to get a good set of brakes on there. It's a well known fact that the stock TG has marginal rear disc brakes, especially in the area of pad life. They have improved the 11, but the 09 and 10 were problem-children. You can get a set on a trike that will easily out perform TG rears.

Cosmetics is another reason some folks prefer rear disc. There could be nothing at all wrong with the drums, but a shiny drilled-n-slotted rotor with a good looking caliper in the wheel sure looks better to some people.

 

[oldchile]

Thanks My drums work ok I just like disc , for maint., like you said cosmetics . oldchile

 

[1550vt]

Here is a set on a Harley and a Honda. These calipers just happen to be gold, but they can be had in any finish. These were formally drum braked trikes.

 

[oldchile]

Thanks for the pic's . oldchile

 

[1550vt]

If you get excited enough to force yourself to do the conversion....all you will really need is a rear wheel automobile rotor to fit the hub bolt pattern you have and the rest is do-it-yourself. Good radial mounted calipers can be had off e-bay for around $40 a set, or you can go with a tab-mounted set like the Ultima/DNA, Wilwood...etc. You just have to be careful in caliper selection so you don't "out run" the stock 5/8 master cylinder. An automobile rotor can be turned down to fit the need by any good machinist and that is the only serious thing you would have to do.

I can help you through it if you get up the courage.

 

[oldchile]

Thank's for the info 1550vt .Courage, I'm working on that.

 

[1550vt]

I helped a guy up in Pennsylvania do this on his Honda Lehman Monarch kit a few weeks ago. As we got into it, I eventually learned that he was a 70-plus year old gentleman. Now....I am not that old yet and I certainly don't mean that you can get too old and feeble to do anything. After all...you are only as old as you feel. My problem is that I am in my early 60's, but some days....I feel like I am 80!

I think he probably invested something less that $300 and a little elbow grease. You just need to plan to have the trike on jack-stands for a while to do some figuring and order a few parts. You will not destroy anything in the process and can always put the drums back on if you ever wanted to. If you get around to it....just let me know and I will be happy to help you.

 

[cewhit1]

I have a 1999 RK/04MT-TROG it has drum brks. Has any one changed there
's to disc bks ? Any info would be helpful thanks . oldchile

I have rear disc brakes on my 2009 Tri-Glide, they suck. Not much stopping power and wear out at around 6 to 7000 miles. I had drum brakes on my Lehman converted 06 Ultra. Wish I had them back.:Bug2:

 

[1550vt]

The brakes on the TG were one of the fist issues owners had. MOCO did go to a different caliper in 11....but that's not doing you much good...unless you retrofit. All sorts of things are being tried to improve them, modified rotors, aftermarket pads and things like that.

I retrofitted mine to a better disc system and I have around 20K on the pads-n-rotors I have on now and I have at least that many more miles left in the pads. The rotors are going to last as long as I will.