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.

[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.

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

[Hank62]

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