Trike shop Roadhawk with front brake

[starrider1946]

Anyone on the forum have a Roadhawk with a front brake. Was wondering how much it helps. Mine doesn't have a front brake. 2002 model. I know it is very light on the front. I am in the process of putting disc brakes on the rear. I don't know if I could even find a front brake set up. Mine uses an older Harley springer.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Yeah....That is going to be a hard one.

Have no clue as to the maker of the Springer or the wheel.

Does the wheel have a mounting flange?

If not then you need a wheel.

If it is Harley based there is a chance that some parts will just fit without modifications.

I had to work out every dimension and fitment. I started with getting a rotor on it. That then determined where the caliper had to be.

The brake don't do a lot on a light front trike. An emergency back up...hold it on a hill start....ect

[starrider1946]

I talked to the people at Roadsmith yesterday. The fellow I talked to said they actually made the Springer. It uses a 19" rim and it is drilled for a rotor. He thought the caliper came from J Brake. He couldn't tell me much more. I saw an older article on the forum of a 2009 Roadhawk with a front brake. The Springer looks like mine. I may see if I can get in touch with the fellow and see if he can send me some good pictures of it.

[afoitag]

I can send pics if you are still working on this. I had to replace caliper. I used a HD Sportster unit. Front disk is pretty useless except for holding at stop or under 10 miles per hour. Locks up to easily l. About to replace triple tree and front end with tubes bigger tire and dual disks. WHole springer and brake assembly will be pit up for sale when I am done. Regards Al Foitag

[rhino 2]

I can send pics if you are still working on this. I had to replace caliper. I used a HD Sportster unit. Front disk is pretty useless except for holding at stop or under 10 miles per hour. Locks up to easily l. About to replace triple tree and front end with tubes bigger tire and dual disks. WHole springer and brake assembly will be pit up for sale when I am done. Regards Al Foitag

Al, Welcome to Trike-Talk.......

[Ozarkryder]

We have a 2017 road Hawk with the front brake. I also can send pics is you want them. I always use the brakes together, so not really sure how much difference the front brake makes by itself, except in some localities a front brake is required. I can make the front end "dance" while stopped - holding the trike still with the front brake only, let off a bit and the front forks drop, reapply the brake and the trike wants to climb around the axle due to the geometry of the front suspension. I'll sit at a stop light and make the front end bounce, get a thump on the helmet from the back seat.

[starrider1946]

I don't know if there is enough weight on the front wheel that a front brake would help a whole lot. The rear disc brakes helped a whole lot. They still make a little noise when I am barley rolling but I have learned how to use the brakes where it is minimal. Thanks for the comments.

[afoitag]

For me it was pretty useless under 10 miles per hour and locked up really easy. Good for holding you at light. It touch of it stops the front end wobble when stopping using rear brakes only. I am scraping the whole front end and replacing with tubes a much bigger tire and dual disks. Really hoping that solves a lot of my handling and stopping problems. Already upgraded rear brakes to what race buggies use.