Upgrading the brake on the Norton

[norton73]

The stock brake on the Norton dates back to 1972. When it was first introduced in 1972, it was considered a milestone in brake developement, I even remember out braking other bikes into the first turn at Summit Point Raceway in WV in the late '70s on my first Norton, a '72 750 Combat Commando.

Later, it was considered to have a wooden feel and underpowered. One issue was as the ratio of master cylinder diameter vs caliper piston diameter was better understood, it was thought the 5/8" bore of the master cylinder was too big and 1/2" was better. Several people made kits to sleeve down the stock master cylinder and I installed one on my '73 about 15 years ago.

All was well for the most part, sometimes I'd have some brake fade during long downhills with lots of hairpins, so I learned to use engine braking, especially when loaded for touring.



Last summer the master cylinder locked up a couple times as it got hot. Even just sitting in the sun, it would lock and I put ice on it to free it up. during a ride to Little River canyon ladt September, it locked up and I had to get a rescue.

The guy that made the conversion was no longer in business, so I had no idea about parts to try to fix it, so decided to go another route. There's a ex-pat Aussie in the Philapines building some nice stuff, so I decided to go with one of his kits.

http://www.tritonmotorcycleparts.com/297620485/category/146825/online-store

Stock brake;



Stock Disc on top of the replacement disc to show the diameter differance,



Adapter for the new caliper;



Caliper installed;



The kit included a new master cylinder, SS brake lines, 6 piston caliper, rotor, and all the hardware.

Probably overkill for a 90/90-19 tire, we will see.

[VWCarlos]

It definitely has a cool look to it.

[Hammerdown77]

Wonder if he's using reman Tokico calipers in the kit or if he's sourcing some manufacturers in China (which supposedly the OEMs are now as well).

[norton73]

Supposedly he is making everything in the Philippines to his specs. He has a network of machine shops he is using and does his own quality control.
Colorado Norton Works sells a similar kit using a four piston Brembo caliper and master cylinder. It's priced at $1200, but the caliper is chrome plated and the fender brace has a big ugly bend in it.
http://coloradonortonworks.com/part-categories/brakes/#post-449