? about brake calipers

[noel cassidy]

I remember reading about an upgrade for the brake calipers on a 1st gen Venture. Not sure what model Yamaha they came from, something like an fz1. Apparently they bolted right up onto the stock mounts. Anyone out there familiar with this upgrade?

[motorcycle.jockey]

R1 & R6 calipers will mount to 86 & newer forks. 83-85 ventures will need to have the forks swapped out for a set from an 86 or newer. There are 2 styles of calipers, side mount and radial mount, you want the side mount. I believe the proper calipers are either blue or gold dot.

 

I just did this swap on my 83. I'm also upgrading to SS braided brake lines and de-linking the brakes.

 

 

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[skydoc_17]

Hey Noel,

Welcome to the VR.ORG Forum! Because you have the MKI 1983 VR, you will need to swap out the front forks from a MKII (1986 to 1993) VR to be able to install the R1 or R6 side mount Front Brake Calipers. The spacing on the lower fork tubes is 80MM on the MKI front forks, and the spacing on the MKII front forks is 100MM. The side mount front calipers from the R1 is also 100MM.

Here are a few links that will show you some pics of what can be done to the front end of a MKI VR once you swap out the front forks.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3768&title=first-gen1983-1993-progressive-fork-springs-21&cat=22

 

http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3878&title=first-gens-sbrake-line-delink-kit-21&cat=22

 

http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3855&title=first-genmkii-vr-r1-caliper-swap-and-4-s-sbrake-lines-21&cat=22

 

http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=4401&title=second-gensteering-head-roller-bearing-upgrade-21&cat=22

 

This will give you a good idea of what parts you will need to do the upgrades mentioned.

If you shop wisely, and have decent mechanical skills, you can purchase the parts from places like Ebay, or Craig's List and do the mods yourself.

The above kits are meant to be guides to what parts need to be purchased.

Especially for the MKI bikes, which are dangerously under braked in my opinion, this upgrade is well worth the time and money you will put into it.

Welcome again, and don't be a stranger, there are a large number of members on the east coast that are more than willing to help you with this project.

Earl

[noel cassidy]

thanks for all the input on this. I had an 87 royale which I sold on Ebay to a guy in Denmark. In February i bought an 83 royale with every available after market yamaha option and then some for $650.00. It has 85,000 miles on it and runs like a jergeson watch. I put new tires and replaced the brake shoes and bled all the brakes. did a deep cleaning on the bike, replaced a rear wheel bearing and did some plastic repair, nothing major. The bike has progressive springs in the front and a progressive shock in the rear. Chrome on the bike is excellent along with the over all condition. Pioneer radio with cd replaced the old unit. I bought the bike in winter so am waiting for the weather to break. Being in New England the weather has stunk it up for quite some time. The bike seems very road worthy, albeit I know the brakes are slightly better then Harley brakes. That is why i asked about the R1 calipers. Didn't realize I would have to change out the forks. Possibly a winter project, that is if winter ever ends.

[bongobobny]

You will also have to change out the rotors. The rear brake swap is a bit more involved as you need a MK2 rear caliper bracket and do a bit of McGuivering to mount the bracket on the swing arm...