Conversion from Drum to Disc Brakes possible?

[rhino 2]

Hi, for your info, I ride a GoldWing Trike with Lehman conversion with drum brakes. I ask our GoldWing dealer the same question about changing to disc brakes on my trike. He ask me why? He said most people preferred the stopping power of drum brakes because they thought they stopped better than disc brakes. Much more shoe surface against the drum. That`s what I was told. I rode a Trike at the dealer with disc brakes and I really could not tell much difference.

If you ride in the mountains and are heavy on the brakes they can fade/stoping power from heat buildup.....But the worst problem is in the rain, They will lose considerable stopping power when wet.....

 

[Thomas Berry]

If you ride in the mountains and are heavy on the brakes they can fade/stoping power from heat buildup.....But the worst problem is in the rain, They will lose considerable stopping power when wet.....

Which brake system are you referring to about getting wet and fading?

Disc or Drum. Drum brakes should not get wet.

 

[rhino 2]

Which brake system are you referring to about getting wet and fading?

Disc or Drum. Drum brakes should not get wet.

Drum...........And they do get wet..Before disc were standard from about the 70's .

The SOP when driving though puddles/standing water and or heavy rain was to lightly ride the brakes to dry the drums/pads so if you had to make a fast stop you could....Where as the pads on disc brakes are always lightly rubbing the rotors helping to keep them dry...

 

[Jack Klarich]

Drum...........And they do get wet..Before disc were standard from about the 70's .

The SOP when driving though puddles/standing water and or heavy rain was to lightly ride the brakes to dry the drums/pads so if you had to make a fast stop you could....Where as the pads on disc brakes are always lightly rubbing the rotors helping to keep them dry...

That is correct about disc brakes, however drum brakes worked with residual pressure in the wheel cylinders so they would be ready for a stop.

This worked good with the later drum brakes with self adjusters

Drum brakes were also more prone to lock up compared to modern day discs

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Hi, for your info, I ride a GoldWing Trike with Lehman conversion with drum brakes. I ask our GoldWing dealer the same question about changing to disc brakes on my trike. He ask me why? He said most people preferred the stopping power of drum brakes because they thought they stopped better than disc brakes. Much more shoe surface against the drum. That`s what I was told. I rode a Trike at the dealer with disc brakes and I really could not tell much difference.

Over the years I have built well over 300 Lehman Trikes with the majority of these being drum brake units. Until Lehman started making disc brakes standard rather than optional, the only requests for disc brakes I had were from someone that was in deep water and their drum brakes wouldn't stop or pulled dramatically until dry. I have sold several sets in that case solving that issue. Today people want the disc brake to get away from the old drum brake, something they just don't understand I guess. I have sold far more of these kits as an upgrade, rather than an improvement over drum brakes.

Drum brakes can last 80,000 miles without abuse and require periodic adjustment from time to time and don't spread the wheel dust or make the noise of their disc brake counterpart.

From a re-selling point, disc brakes are modern and have advantages.

 

[hackryder]

Over the years I have built well over 300 Lehman Trikes with the majority of these being drum brake units. Until Lehman started making disc brakes standard rather than optional, the only requests for disc brakes I had were from someone that was in deep water and their drum brakes wouldn't stop or pulled dramatically until dry. I have sold several sets in that case solving that issue. Today people want the disc brake to get away from the old drum brake, something they just don't understand I guess. I have sold far more of these kits as an upgrade, rather than an improvement over drum brakes.

Drum brakes can last 80,000 miles without abuse and require periodic adjustment from time to time and don't spread the wheel dust or make the noise of their disc brake counterpart.

Agree with you on the drum brakes Lee. I have owned more motorcycles than I can count on my fingers, toes and other appendages, several running hacks (sidecars) two trike conversions and now a Triglide that my wife and friends have nicknamed John's Money Pit for reasons I am sure most of you understand. First trike was an older Lehman conversion in cherry cond and had the drum brakes. The second was a newer different brand conversion and had discs. The drum braked conversion out performed the newer disc braked trike by a mile.

 

[1550vt]

My husband and I just purchased a 1999 HD FLHRCI (Road King Classic) with a Motortrike conversion kit. I think it's a Trog kit (unsure) but it has air ride suspension and

drum brakes. Does anyone know if this can be converted to Disc brakes and what the cost would be? Thanks in advance!

Yes...I have done several. If a member named Scott sees this, I cannot seem to respond to private messages.

Anyone can email me at rogermoak@hotmail.com for assistance.

 

[rhino 2]

Yes...I have done several. If a member named Scott sees this, I cannot seem to respond to personal messages.



Anyone can email me at rogermoak@hotmail.com for assistance.

Only Gold Club Members Can PM......

 

[1550vt]

Only Gold Club Members Can PM......

I was an active member for years, but have been out of riding for a while now and have not been back here to the site for quite a while. I received a PM from a member, which I cannot respond to and have no desire to get that active again.

I have converted Harley/Lehman drums to disc brakes and have helped others, even Lehman kitted Honda's. I am not interested in becoming active again at my age and state-of-health, but have retained all my plans and instructions. I will be happy to share those with anyone wishing to undertake the conversion project. All they have to do is email me at.........rogermoak@hotmail.com.

 

[Scott1]

Yes...I have done several. If a member named Scott sees this, I cannot seem to respond to personal messages.

Anyone can email me at rogermoak@hotmail.com for assistance.

I sent you a email.

This board is so restrictive $$ and anyone should be able to send & receive PM's. It saves on posts that don't need to be viewed or to much detail that everyone would not be interested in.

Greg

 

[Lee H. Mann]

I sent you a email.

This board is so restrictive $$ and anyone should be able to send & receive PM's. It saves on posts that don't need to be viewed or to much detail that everyone would not be interested in.

Greg

Greg,

Maybe rather than complain about special email access and other privileges granted to Gold Club Members, you should just join. BTW, why don't you join ????

To Scott, you should turn your avatar and turn it right-side up before all the oil leaks out of your Valkyrie.