The one thing Ive learned since starting to work on bikes is that things that look cool are rarely safe. Whether its tires, brakes or whatever. Most of the time you have to give some of one in order to get the other. I suppose it was the same when I worked on cars but not nearly as extreme
Been riding without one for a couple of days again. Will probably put one back on eventually.
Not a huge deal, just ride a lil different. But no doubt there are certain situations that will be unavoidable with just a rear brake. But like was already mentioned, just getting on the bike in the first place is dangerous, so...
I'm gonna get the best tire I can for the rear though. I mean, cool looking tires are neat, but I'm kinda over it at this point.
my old xs six fiddy chop i only ran a rear drum which was outta round btw. made for a good time but not safe at all.... got a 1200 sporty now thinkin about takin the brake off.....looks way cleaner just take it a bit easier
short story.. I was running around with no front brake, no worries. The rear brake failed of course as these stories go, but not when I was on it. I let a friend take around the block real quick just for kicks. Thankfully the intersection he blew though wasnt overly conjested and hes a damn good bike rider. Trashed his shoes fred flintstoning it to a stop. Im done with the no front brake thing.
If your rear fails, just dump it into first.
Vroom, bang, stop.
Actually, turn it off and dump the clutch. That is the only way to stop. Dumping into first will still get you blowing thru an intersection at 20mph... been there...
I don't have my fronts set up yet, been riding rear only for almost about 8 or 9 months. Haven't had any problems other than realizing real quickly that you gotta take it easy with rear only. Got on it a little too hard when i first picked it up and locked it up sideways, almost ended up under a truck. Actually made a pretty sweet recovery, but that's a different story. Front brakes are going on soon, got a lot of work to do at this point.
I don't have my fronts set up yet, been riding rear only for almost about 8 or 9 months. Haven't had any problems other than realizing real quickly that you gotta take it easy with rear only. Got on it a little too hard when i first picked it up and locked it up sideways, almost ended up under a truck. Actually made a pretty sweet recovery, but that's a different story. Front brakes are going on soon, got a lot of work to do at this point.
Weight distribution is another big deal with rear only, along with tire type. When I had the inverted front and was forward bias the rear brake was no good when I got put in a spot. Breath on it and it would lock up. Now, being rear biased, I get a lot better stopping before the rear locks up. I hardly ever even used the front brake when I had it. But yeah, I'm having to relearn how hard to can brake before things get loose, and it's really a lot more than I was expecting.
So yeah, chopper guys with tall fronts are gonna have a lot better exp with rear only than a stock bike or cafe type for sure.
Speaking of no brakes, I broke my foot peg/brake pedal off yesterday and had to ride home with no brakes! I just down shifted and shut the ignition off when I had to stop at a light or stop sign. Worked like a charm, only I had no place to put my foot and my exhaust was also broken. Made it home using my belt to hold the pipe up. Will I put the front brake on now? Hell no.
I have been riding since I was 10 and I think that probably 80 of my breaking has been rear only. however I do like having the front there for times when douche nozzles decide that they need to make a left regardless of cutting me off.
using the front brakes allows me to slow fast enough to be able to get over and follow them until they park so I can kick the shit out of them / their car.
My bike's front brakes have been seized up since I bought it, have had plenty of fun close calls using rear only lol, but I just drive like everyone's retarded & texting, and it works alright. I only get on it if I'm on a straight away with no cars or lights for awhile... But I like cruising at 45 - 50 more now a days. I tried fixing my front brake but I hate how cluttered it makes the handlebars look, I like clean, which is why I want a front drum so I just have a lever like the clutch side. If you're a safe, responsible person, it still takes some getting used to. I've been sideways a couple times, and as scary as it is, you must always remain in control.
No fronts on my chop.
No real upside.
Downside, is breaking distance and wet pavement are a pain in the ass.
But you do get used to it and if you just give yourself a little more room you rarely have an issue.
Plus, you can always slide it sideways if you get into trouble. not that that gets you out of it necessarily, but you do crash with style.
No fronts on my chop.
you can always slide it sideways if you get into trouble. not that that gets you out of it necessarily, but you do crash with style.
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