Thread: Trail Buddy Disc Brake Front End

Dan's bike does have 12" wheels fitted with low-profile tires. The overall outside diameter is close to stock size. It's strictly a road setup. That may not last long in MI as I'm not sure that what we are forced to drive over can properly be classified as "roads", as of 2008.

Originally Posted by ghunt

That's Very Cool, What size rim is that it look more like a 12". I'd like to see the rest of the bike.

Bob is right. I'm running 12" NSR50 wheels with 100/65/12 tires. Since I have 5 restomod minis, I'm not overly concerned about damaging the wheels on this one as this is my beater bike to give the kids rides on around the neighborhood.

NSR50 30mm forks work with 10" wheels with a disc hub as well which can be had including tripleclamps pretty close to the same price of the Nice setup depending on the numerous brands of tripleclamps you would use. I paid $150 for the wheels used from Ebay, and the expense was in the tires and the custom swingarm I had made by G-craft to run the wheels.

Once I get my modified footpegs back (Ahem), I'll wrap up the bike and take tons of pictures.

Originally Posted by racerx

. . . . That may not last long in MI as I'm not sure that what we are forced to drive over can properly be classified as "roads", as of 2008.

Sounds like an exciting place to ride. There are a lot of deer running around up there, too, aren't there? They would worry me as much as the pot holes. I understand that Michigan motorists hit 61,907 deer in 2007. Seems like when you renew your plates every year they should make you pay for a deer tag at the same time.

-kevin

I have only had a couple of road bike but I used to buy a new dirt bike every other year. Manly Hondas so I'm thinking more along the lines of a super motard bike,Just like racerx said I live in MI too. I'll start posting my new project next week so I can get some input. This stuff is like a drug adiction.

Sounds like an exciting place to ride. There are a lot of deer running around up there, too, aren't there? They would worry me as much as the pot holes. I understand that Michigan motorists hit 61,907 deer in 2007. Seems like when you renew your plates every year they should make you pay for a deer tag at the same time.

-kevin

Yes, it can be; though traffic volume is way down. (The silver lining in the gray cloud of economic collapse?) Once in a while the excitement can even be for positive reasons. Eventually, I'll get this year's helmet cam videos edited and posted, then everyone can see for themselves. There are some great places to ride. For example, the tip of the Keweenaw peninsula is spectacular, with beautiful roads and trails. It's the local roads, especially at railroad crossings that resemble WW1 battlefields. I mean, with better than five inches of travel, it takes one helluva hit to get my front suspension within an inch of bottoming-out at less than 30mph. If that sounds "exciting" then come on up and I can give the "grand tour"

Can't speak for the other 61,906 motor vehicle hunters, but imo they should include a deer tag & processing, complimentary recipe for "radiator venison" & a "Last one to leave the state please turn off the lights" bumper sticker in the already inflated cost of registration.

About 10 or 12 years ago we met some friends at a remote cabin in the UP and spent a week touring the little hamlets on the back roads. (on motorcycles, of course.) I learned that even in late August them big lakes are still too dang cold. The wife and I had a close call with a Bambi, but the old reflexes were just quick enough that day. All in all it was a wonderful trip to a very beautiful place, and we had a blast. We went back to visit (Grand Rapids) at Christmas time a few years later. I now understand what the words "frozen wasteland" mean. When we left, there were folks along side the road whose radiators had frozen and burst, . . . while they were driving! The people said it normally didn't get that cold. I figured that was true, cuz if it did normally get that cold they would have all died out a long time ago. I remembered my old man telling me about putting a sheet of cardboard in front of the radiator to keep from freezing up. That trick worked for me, but the engine still never warmed all the way up 'til we were south of Indy. Thank goodness I insisted on bringing a bunch of blankets in the car with us. My wife (a.k.a. the human popsicle) would not have survived without them. I'm just glad she didn't suffocate under that pile. Still, we'd like to make another summertime visit, tho' we would ride the Triumph rather than haul CTs.

-kevin

I am def getting a front disc setup very soon. And the new polished Aluminum wheels at Trail Buddy

I have a set of the TB front forks. I haven't installed them yet, still collecting parts. So, after reading through these posts & the issues/opinions about their abilities...heres my thoughts/question..I want to run the rubber boots that came off my stock forks (I like the look). They had the springs under them & the chrome top caps things. Would running those springs that ran under the boots help or hurt with the rebound issues? I was concernd that running this setup this way add too much spring to the front end & cause it to 'pogo',,,any thoughts anyone?

Originally Posted by johnmacd

I have a set of the TB front forks. I haven't installed them yet, still collecting parts. So, after reading through these posts & the issues/opinions about their abilities...heres my thoughts/question..I want to run the rubber boots that came off my stock forks (I like the look). They had the springs under them & the chrome top caps things. Would running those springs that ran under the boots help or hurt with the rebound issues? I was concernd that running this setup this way add too much spring to the front end & cause it to 'pogo',,,any thoughts anyone?

The new front shocks, as-supplied, are weak with little in the way of real shock absorber control to speak of. If you're talking about fitting K2-`79 rubber fork boots, you'll need to retain the upper chrome trim rings, they provide the upper attachment points. From there, it's merely a question of whether the ID is compatible with the OD of the new lower fork legs. As for affecting rebound/compression rates...non issue.

'As for affecting rebound/compression rates...non issue.'

Thanks, thats my biggest concern. I have test fitted this setp and the 2 inner plastic protectors that ran between shock upper & the springs holding up the chrome cap will not fit over the shock upper. I beleive I can run the spring without them, however, I am concerned about wear/scratching the shock upper. I was thinking a throrough rubbing with some light grease (it will be covered with rubber) that will not harm the shocks' seals, it should eliminate any scratching.