Lehman Disc Brake Conversion

1550vt · May 17, 2009

I love to tinker and I know lots of you folks do too. If there is anyone out there interested in making a conversion from drum brakes to disc brakes on their Lehman kit, I can help you with that. Lehman use to offer a conversion kit, but they have pulled it. All they offered me was a new rear end for $4,000 and the dealers I talked to me told me that I could not make the conversion any other way. I did not know any better and made the conversion myself anyhow. It can be done for just a few hundred dollars, if you are willing to tinker-around with it yourself. Took me months to figure out how Lehman put these rear-ends together and what parts were necessary...but I did. I am not knocking drums. They work just fine as long as they are adjusted, or wear evenly. If anyone wants to know more, just let me know.

1550vt · Jun 8, 2009

Just an update here. I have just completed what I would call the supreme test of my disc brake conversion. 2,800 miles up the Cherohala, Blue Ridge, and Skyline Drive. Deals Gap and Dragon's Tail included. Never had a single problem, never faded in the rain and every possible test of stopping power presented itself...including the deer in the road and that camper making a U-turn in the middle of the Blue Ridge. Nothing is loose, nothing fell off, nothing leaked, nothing has to be adjusted and pad wear is nominal.

This is not solely a Lehman conversion. Many late model kits still come with drum brakes and the conversion can be made on those also. When riding season is over and all that ice-n-snow is on the ground, this would be a good upgrade for the self proclaimed mechanical genus and master mechanic.

Nothing is broken or wasted and you can always go right back to your drums if you ever want to. You will loose a bucket full of parts and some pounds along the way. Those calipers and shiny rotors look real good through those wheels too!

Josparkz · Aug 23, 2010

I"d like to hear how you did it. :yes:

Thanks

Doc · Aug 23, 2010

Just did a Motor Trike Kit on my '08 Roadstar and it drives me absolutely NUTS that they're still using Drum Brakes on their conversion...Please, I'd like to know what you've done.

Ed (you can PM me or Email me @ edreilly@comcast.net)

1550vt · Aug 23, 2010

I will be most happy to help you guys out. The hot rod crowd converts from drum to disc all the time and it is not rocket science.

You just have to figure out what axle flange pattern you have on there now and you can go from there. I have close to 15,000 miles piled-up on mine now and I have no appreciable pad wear and it will still stop dead straight in a rear brake lock-down.

Jo.....PM me with your e-mail address. I already have Doc's.

Saltywheels · Aug 23, 2010

Any brilliant ideas on adding ABS to the current disc brakes I already have?

rog1215 · Aug 23, 2010

Dave glad to see you are still doing R&D on your bike, always a pleasure to hear what you are up to.
I recently had a "senior moment" and rode about a mile with the parking brake on.
I jacked her up and pulled the wheels and yes they were glazed but what suprised me most was the small size of those rear discs/pads ! i have seen go carts with bigger brakes on them!
About that same time i learned that the 2011 came with larger pads and hardened rotors so i left everything hanging there.
I am waiting on the Part# so my local dealer can order the upgraded pads, anyone know that info?
When i redid my brakes and tied them all together i did the same road test you ran. Went straight for the dragon and Chereola. The brakes worked great and i am looking for even more stopping power with the new pads.
Roger

Boom · Aug 23, 2010

rog1215 said:
Dave glad to see you are still doing R&D on your bike, always a pleasure to hear what you are up to.
I recently had a "senior moment" and rode about a mile with the parking brake on.
I jacked her up and pulled the wheels and yes they were glazed but what suprised me most was the small size of those rear discs/pads ! i have seen go carts with bigger brakes on them!
About that same time i learned that the 2011 came with larger pads and hardened rotors so i left everything hanging there.
I am waiting on the Part# so my local dealer can order the upgraded pads, anyone know that info?
When i redid my brakes and tied them all together i did the same road test you ran. Went straight for the dragon and Chereola. The brakes worked great and i am looking for even more stopping power with the new pads.
Roger

New 2011 rear pad part # is 83911-09B. The 'B' shows it's an updated pad. The only price I could get was for front & rear sets---$293.00

rog1215 · Aug 23, 2010

Boom, YOU DA MAN !!!! is that just the pads?or pads and rear discs?
Roger

Boom · Aug 24, 2010

rog1215 said:
Boom, YOU DA MAN !!!! is that just the pads?or pads and rear discs?
Roger

That part # is just for the newer rear pads.

msocko3 · Aug 24, 2010

Boom said:
That part # is just for the newer rear pads.

Chicago HD shows it priced at $89.95 msrp and their price is $71.96. Zanotti doesn't even list it yet.

Boom · Aug 24, 2010

msocko3 said:
Chicago HD shows it priced at $89.95 msrp and their price is $71.96. Zanotti doesn't even list it yet.

Holy crap! That's quite an expense for pressed cardboard!

The Lyndall Gold + pads are only $59 a pair!

rog1215 · Aug 24, 2010

My local stealership list them at 75.00

Boom · Aug 25, 2010

Boom said:
Holy crap! That's quite an expense for pressed cardboard!
The Lyndall Gold + pads are only $59 a pair!

I guess I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. They are said to be made of a better material.

msocko3 · Aug 26, 2010

Boom said:
Holy crap! That's quite an expense for pressed cardboard!
The Lyndall Gold + pads are only $59 a pair!

The description says brake pad kit, not sure what it all contains, it might have pads for both sides.

rog1215 · Aug 26, 2010

Got them yesterday and the kit is for both sides 4 pads.
20-30 percent increased surface area, well worth the money if you feel the need
. cost 75.00
Roger

Boom · Aug 26, 2010

msocko3 said:
The description says brake pad kit, not sure what it all contains, it might have pads for both sides.

If you mean left and right wheels, that would be a bit more reasonable. I guess they would insist to change both wheels at the same time! Makes sense.

EDIT: Just read Roger's post.

joelin5386 · Aug 31, 2010

Doc said:
Just did a Motor Trike Kit on my '08 Roadstar and it drives me absolutely NUTS that they're still using Drum Brakes on their conversion...Please, I'd like to know what you've done.

Ed (you can PM me or Email me @ edreilly@comcast.net)

I have a Motor Trike kit on my 09 Ultra. What would I need t convert it to disc

1550vt · Dec 11, 2010

I have just completed working through a drum-to-disc conversion on a Lehman Monarch kitted Honda 1800. It is very apparent now that Lehman used the very same axle components from the axle flange out on all kits, metric or Harley. The Honda brake system is a bit "screwy" as the rear master cylinder is tied to the front calipers also. I had thought they split this system with the kit installation, but apparently not. The rear brake pedal will also work some of the front caliper pistons under certain conditions. There is a work-through to fix this issue. So...any metric bike owner with a Lehman kit can now make the conversion over from drums to disc if desired.

Joelin....I don't know if I ever addressed your question above or not, but there are differences in hub bolt patterns among the various kit providers. My conversion plans are limited to the Lehman family of kits, because I know the components they used. You may can (or have) check with Motor Trike to see if they offer a bolt-on kit. If they tell you no and it can't be done....they are nuts. Any drum brake system can be converted to disc and the hot rod crowd does it all the time to any possible vehicle make or model known to mankind. I just do not have any idea how the Motor Trike axles and brakes are put together, or what brand of components they used.