KX500 Front Brake mod

[Rotorised]

Hey guys, not sure if this has been posted before but a quick an easy way to improve the front brakes on the ole girl is to bolt on a kxf450 front brake master cylinder. No mods required just unbolt the old, bolt up the new and bleed the brakes. The guy at my local Kawa shop recommended it and after having done it i can say it was well worth it. The brake feel has improved dramatically on my bike and i no longer have a rattling front brake lever. Well worth the $50 i paid on ebay.  enjoy

Brad

[dsrtrider]

do you have photo?  i am wonderig if cable still routes under brake assembly.  I know in the past people have used kx250 brake lines and calipers also.  i am considering doing this my my k5

[Rotorised]

I am just talking about the brake master cylinder (the part that clamps onto the handle bars) not the brake caliper. Just changing this part made a noticable difference to brake feel on my bike.

[hughes]

Changing the brake line will help also. All model's today have the "Honda CR" style front brake line (direct from master cylinder to the caliper without wrapping under the caliper).

[KXcam22]

On my 92 I replaced the front brake lever with a 92 CR250 lever, based on a magazine article.  It changes the leverage at the master cylinder and vastly improved the brake power and feel. Cam.

[dsrtrider]

found this old thread while i was searching for brake tips.  i iwant to redo my brakes and wanted a good summary post of everything that works to make an awsome brake setup

1)  what year kxf450 front brake master cylinder works for kx500s?

2) who makes the honda front routed brake cable and will it fit on a kxf450 brake master cylinder recommedned above?

3) i will order the cr250 brake lever

4) i have heard dp pads work good.  what about rotors?  any need to go oversize?  what pads does everyone recommend?

[KXcam22]

On my 92 I rad the 92 CR250 lever, DP pads and good fluid.  I like strong front brakes with great feel and that combo kept me happy.  Next option would have been to add a braided line.  If you can feel your line bulge when you squeezae the lever then you are losing braking power in the brake line. Cam.

[dsrtrider]

thanks.  the lever is the less expensive mod so i will try that.

i just foundRIDE ENGINEERING CR FRONT BRAKE LINE KIT
  1994 KAWASAKI KX500 change for $89.99
  at http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/product/RIDE-ENGINEERING-CR-FRONT-BRAKE-LINE-KIT/?catalogId=108258&catID=43&pcatID=4&catName=Brakes&pcatName=Dirt+Bike+Parts&tnc=1&srchHistoryURL=bhsoxezo||parentCategoryID~1^superParentCategoryID~category_root^parentCategoryName~Dirt^categoryID~4^categoryName~Dirt Bike Parts^subCategoryName~Brakes^subCategoryID~43
 
 

[Polar-Bus]

On my 92 I rad the 92 CR250 lever, DP pads and good fluid.  I like strong front brakes with great feel and that combo kept me happy.  Next option would have been to add a braided line.  If you can feel your line bulge when you squeezae the lever then you are losing braking power in the brake line. Cam.

Kawasaki front brakes sucked back in the 80's, and 90's all the way up to '02? I have never really been able to get a firm feel on KX brakes. When I purchased my '07 YZ450F, I kept launching myself right over the bars with just a gentile feminine pull on the front brake lever (and this was just trying to get my bike up on my trailer   

No wonder I keep washing out,  entering every corner   

[DoldGuy]

dsrtrider,
I think you will be very happy with the CR brake line & a good set of HH+ pads, but keep in mind you will need a way to attach the cable to your fork guard preventing the cable from hanging on your # plate or top tree. I had a set of carbon guards made with the honda tab done for mine. 2001 & up KX has a different M/C & is not an issue but on any before the stock setup needs alot of improvement. I had tried everything to get front brakes 15 years ago & the biggest improvement came from the Honda line. Keep us posted how it works out for you & if you need pics of the guards I had made let me know.

[KXcam22]

I don't find that my excellent 07 CRF front brake is that much better than my modded K5 front brake.  The CR lever made the biggest difference + careful bleeding and best fluid you can get.  The KX bleeds nice, the CRF brake is a bugger to bleed. The only KX brake issue I had was that after 10 years it started squeeling.  Never could find out why but some auto "squeel stopper" glue on the back of the pads worked the charm. Cam.

[cr37]

I replaced my complete front brake with a Honda setup on my AF and it made a very big difference.

   P.S. Does anyone want a stock KX450 brake?

[DoldGuy]

Me!!

[cr37]

Doldguy P.M. you

[dsrtrider]

if you have some photos i would be interested thanks! and thanks for everyones input