XBR Brakes and Wheels

[J.Y.Kelly]

Has anyone changed the front brake caliper to a beefier type on an XBR500, and fitted different wheels and if so, what did you use?
Kelly.

[SteveC#222]

I've seen pictures of someone who fitted a larger single disc (320mm) to a GB650 with the Brembo caliper on a suitable milled spacer.  It is also possible to fit a complete Honda Cx500/650 front forks/wheel to give you twin discs - I believe they fit in the XBR yolks but you would need to check so you may need the CX yolks too.  If you get the front wheel from the Eurosport model they use the same boomarang comstar wheel design so it matches the back.  To be honest unless you are racing or hauling a chair the standard single disc is pretty good with a decent set of sintered pads and disc. Check that both pistons are actually coming on when you brake - they do stick so you either have only one working or a lag between both coming on and this makes a BIG difference in the way the brake performs.  You use to be able to get stainless caliper pins from Wemoto along with stainless brake pistons.

[J.Y.Kelly]

Thank you Steve, much appreciated.

[richardeblack]

Hello there,
Another thing to check on the calliper is the floating calliper mounting bolts (not sure how else to describe them).
I run my XBRs through winter and fairly regularly have to strip them to get the calliper sliding again, as the aluminium corrodes ands swells causing it to jam.  A good clean and grease gets it free again and I can't fault the standard brakes although I have never pushed the bike hard enough to find out if they fade after extensive hard use.

[J.Y.Kelly]

A change of pads was all that was needed in the end. I've managed to get hold of a few parts for the rest of the bike, so a winter refurb is now on the cards.

[richardeblack]

Hello Kelly,
Glad to hear you sorted it out.
I love my XBR (on my 6th and never sold one so have LOADS of spares).  Can't beat them.  I have had two with over 140,000 on the clock with no problems apart from looking terrible.  The reason they look terrible is that I waxoyl them and only clean them after winter to apply another coat of waxoyl. 
I hope you have as much fun from yours as I have had from mine.
Cheers,
Richard B.

[guest564]

I haver Astralite wheels on mine from an old Yamaha TZ, I run a 320mm disc from an EXUP and a four-pot caliper from a GSXR - it needs a good fork brace, a grippy front tyre and uprated suspension to use it to the max.

[guest1640]

Hello there,
Another thing to check on the calliper is the floating calliper mounting bolts (not sure how else to describe them).
I run my XBRs through winter and fairly regularly have to strip them to get the calliper sliding again, as the aluminium corrodes ands swells causing it to jam.  A good clean and grease gets it free again and I can't fault the standard brakes although I have never pushed the bike hard enough to find out if they fade after extensive hard use.

hi Richard.
Im only guessing from your email address, that you live in Australia. If so. Would you be willing to part with your large amount of spares. Chasing a cam shaft.
im in qld on the sunny coast.
cheers n beers
stu

[J.Y.Kelly]

Hello Kelly,
Glad to hear you sorted it out.
I love my XBR (on my 6th and never sold one so have LOADS of spares).  Can't beat them.  I have had two with over 140,000 on the clock with no problems apart from looking terrible.  The reason they look terrible is that I waxoyl them and only clean them after winter to apply another coat of waxoyl. 
I hope you have as much fun from yours as I have had from mine.
Cheers,
Richard B.

Where are you based Richard?

[richardeblack]

Helo Kelly and Stu,
Sorry for the delay in responding.
I am based in Lincolnshire, England.
I will be happy to try and sort out a camshaft but postage might be prohibitive to Australia.
If you are still stuck, I will check if I have a good one and how much postage will be.
Cheers,
Richard

[guest1640]

Hi Richard
yer mate. A cost on postage and what you want for it would be great.  No rush. When ever you get a chance.
sourced a brand newie from the states but the price was around $225 au so I swallowed and looked elsewhere.
Just guessing about your email address.  Heaps of people use gmail in oz.
the one from USA was stating it was suitable for the gb500 and xr600.  Wonder if the specs are the same. Was lead to believe they are different and the xr gives a broader band of power.  Trying to avoid the cost of a grind for that broader power range.
Joolz has stepped his lobe angle on an engine rebuild and reading a bit about combustion flow and the like but funds are tight and if I can get a better range of power with a standard cam that fits the head, I'll just buy that part and use it. I'm not building a race bike but may just run a track day for fun, so id rather not turn up chasing the straits and pushing the corners to keep up.
jhst for interest on your post. Dont take as gospel but im told the cbx500 twin disc fork assembly fit the frame.
please confirm if you find that to be right.  They are a dime a dozen here.
thanks for yr reply.
stu

[J.Y.Kelly]

Hi Richard, do you have a decent front mudguard for an XBR ?