Frankenstein brakes:opinions on standard versus upgrade

[GRR]

Hi folks

I'm looking at a Frankenstein kit for my 2004 Road King. Any thoughts about the brakes would be welcome. I am debating whether or not to get the brake upgrade.

 

[desertclassic]

I have seen some comments about the brake systems. Someone will jump on here and give you some info soon. My thought, the better the brakes, is good. Jim

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Hi folks

I'm looking at a Frankenstein kit for my 2004 Road King. Any thoughts about the brakes would be welcome. I am debating whether or not to get the brake upgrade.

Go with the upgrade !!!

 

[ncbandit]

Hi folks

I'm looking at a Frankenstein kit for my 2004 Road King. Any thoughts about the brakes would be welcome. I am debating whether or not to get the brake upgrade.

At first the standard brakes did not perform as well as I expected but improved as they broke in. For me it wasn't a big concern since the front brakes on my Slim are strong. I am happy with them now after getting some miles on them and personally would stay with the standard brakes if I did it again. If you decide to get the upgrades I would research any additional costs, if any, for additional brake lines etc. Good Luck!!

 

[GRR]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm inclined to go with the upgrade, just for the extra peace of mind.

However, I don't want to spend $500 unnecessarily.

For those of you with the standard brakes, does the bike pull to one side when braking? It seems like the outboard brakes would brake more evenly.

 

[trike lady]

I would go with the brake upgrade, as the Road King is a larger heavier bike and more mass to stop with a single rotor.

3 wheels/3 brakes. orag:

 

[ncbandit]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm inclined to go with the upgrade, just for the extra peace of mind.

However, I don't want to spend $500 unnecessarily.

For those of you with the standard brakes, does the bike pull to one side when braking? It seems like the outboard brakes would brake more evenly.

I have the standard brakes and it doesn't pull at all to one side. If you are wanting serious noticeable braking power when using just the back brakes, then I would go with the upgrade. I have to seriously mash my rear brake if I want to even think about locking them up. Then again my Slim rear brakes always sucked, even with 2 wheels. For me personally I am still happy with the standard brakes because I can still stop very fast when using the front and rear in conjunction. That maybe because the Slim has a fat 16" front tire which helps. If I had a 19" or 21" front tire then I would consider the upgrade.

 

[GRR]

I have the standard brakes and it doesn't pull at all to one side. If you are wanting serious noticeable braking power when using just the back brakes, then I would go with the upgrade. I have to seriously mash my rear brake if I want to even think about locking them up. Then again my Slim rear brakes always sucked, even with 2 wheels. For me personally I am still happy with the standard brakes because I can still stop very fast when using the front and rear in conjunction. That maybe because the Slim has a fat 16" front tire which helps. If I had a 19" or 21" front tire then I would consider the upgrade.

Thanks again.

Given your confirmation that your trike stops well, it seems like it boils down to how much weight the bike is carrying/towing. I sent a note to Frankenstein Trikes yesterday afternoon and got the following reply fairly early this morning:

"We developed the outboard brakes for the touring bikes, because those bikes are a little heavier and a lot of the time people that own those bike are pulling trailers. I would recommend installing the outboard brake if you are pulling a trailer.

The single brake in the middle stops the trikes without any problems.

The outboard brakes come with a brake line "T", brake lines and fittings to connect the caliper together. Your brake line on your bike would connect to the brake line "T"."

So, if I were a big guy or pulling a trailer, the brake upgrade would be the way to go. If you order the brake upgrade with the kit, everything you need comes with it for $450. If you order the brake upgrade later, it is $520+shipping+the time to install.

That means that if I go with the standard brakes and decide I want more braking power, I'll spend $100 and a Saturday afternoon going back to add the upgrade. If I'm happy with the standard brakes, I save $450.

(Thinking) I have a few weeks before I'm going to order, so still time to think.

 

[Hank62]

upgrade for the future

I had a hard time deciding if I wanted the up grade on brakes also, I dont have a trailer to pull at this time, but I have been known to take long extended trips on my Harley, some times it would of been nice and cost less is I pulled a trailer behind. SO I went ahead and upgraded to the outboard brake system, plus there is nothing wrong with having extra braking when you might need VS needing it and not having it. I use front and rear brakes



I vote get the upgrade its money well spent

Hank

 

[rnaihe]

Yeah I have a single disc brake on my 38" frankenstein and ordering a dual disc for the rear. braking down hill is hard even in low gear.

 

[Jack Klarich]

You will like the new stopping power

 

[My Turn]

I built a Sportster Frankie 10 years ago. It braked fine with one rear. If I was doing a touring bike I would go with the upgrade.

 

[ROAD DOG]

I built a Sportster Frankie 10 years ago. It braked fine with one rear. If I was doing a touring bike I would go with the upgrade.

I agree on a touring bike Upgrade the rear brakes, the single caliper will not LAST.

 

[Strelnikov]

Hi folks

I'm looking at a Frankenstein kit for my 2004 Road King. Any thoughts about the brakes would be welcome. I am debating whether or not to get the brake upgrade.

Definitely do the upgrade. 'Steined my '98 RK last year and did not upgrade. Rear brake will not stop the bike or even affect it. Will upgrade shortly. The kit itself is a great way to go trike. Rides and drives better than my Freewheeler.

 

[Strelnikov]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm inclined to go with the upgrade, just for the extra peace of mind.

However, I don't want to spend $500 unnecessarily.

For those of you with the standard brakes, does the bike pull to one side when braking? It seems like the outboard brakes would brake more evenly.

No pulling but, again, very little stopping power.