05 forks upgrade/ caliper bracket

[jarnett]

So I'm upgrading my 03 Chopper to the 05 fork sliders and just received my kit. The kit upgrades the sliders, front axle and fork brace but still uses the 03 brake caliper. Kit comes with a new caliper bracket that fits the 03 brake caliper. What i noticed right away when looking things over is the caliper bracket does not fit flush on the slider body. The radius of the slider body does not match the bracket completely. The top half of the bracket is pretty close but the bottom half has about an 1/8" gap between the bracket and slider. Everything feels tight but the fit is not right.

I haven's started fitting anything up to the bike yet but I have some concerns like road grime filling the gap, will I need to shim the caliper excessively to center it correctly on the rotor, could the bracket eventually crack from tension of not being seated, etc.

Apparently this kit has been used a lot with no issues on other bikes but I thought I would posts and get opinions from others here. Seems like my only other reasonable option is to just upgrade to the newer brake caliper and use the correct bracket. Anyone have any experience with this or ideas?

 

[SKOGDOG]

Damn!! Looks like you don’t have anywhere to hide on this one. Leaving it as is looks bad and might cause a problem, and grinding it down to fit would be tough on the chrome!! I guess I’d be writing the vendor.....Please keep us posted and let us know the vendor too.

 

[knothead]

Yeah you need to call Eric on this....but yeah i would probably go with the new bracket and caliper kit also cause that is going to work well at all....

 

[jarnett]

I bought the kit from Eric at HDM. His reply is basically this is the best bracket they have for the application and my only other option is upgrade the caliper. Said they've had no issues with this kit on other bikes and figured the gap was not that noticeable.

I spoke to Eric before I made the purchase and I knew the brake would be a retrofit situation I just didn't know it would look like this I figured there was a retro bracket made specifically for this

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[Th3InfamousI]

As I mentioned in the email, the sliders on your 03 are a one year only deal (2003) and they actually used two different manufacturers models to make it harder to solve.

Also, in 03 that was the only year the Chopper model had the front and rear brake calipers the same part #. 2004-11 they used an offset differential bore caliper which requires a different bracket.

Those new ones in your pictures are for 04 and up and the radius change on the slider at the bottom is what makes it off. The top of the caliper bracket aligns and seats perfect, the key inside is held in tightly as the radius change is near the bottom. No pictures of that are here but figured I would mention for some other folks on here. Just trying to save folks some money on having to buy a new caliper, as you wouldn't see once mounted as it's on the bottom. Those later model calipers are very pricey from PM retail is about $440

Without having a new brake caliper mount machined for a one year only model this one is the closest fit. Unfortunately those are the only sliders where the radius changes like that.

If you want to go the new caliper route just let me know, I'll do the best I can on the caliper price. Nothing wrong with either route. I suppose the new front caliper gives you a spare rear which isn't the end of the world.

This is the same thing people run into using later model long front end caliper bracket on the shorter later model prostreet style sliders or vice versa. Which people have done.

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[jarnett]

As I mentioned in the email, the sliders on your 03 are a one year only deal (2003) and they actually used two different manufacturers models to make it harder to solve.

Also, in 03 that was the only year the Chopper model had the front and rear brake calipers the same part #. 2004-11 they used an offset differential bore caliper which requires a different bracket.

Those new ones in your pictures are for 04 and up and the radius change on the slider at the bottom is what makes it off. The top of the caliper bracket aligns and seats perfect, the key inside is held in tightly as the radius change is near the bottom. No pictures of that are here but figured I would mention for some other folks on here. Just trying to save folks some money on having to buy a new caliper, as you wouldn't see once mounted as it's on the bottom. Those later model calipers are very pricey from PM retail is about $440

Without having a new brake caliper mount machined for a one year only model this one is the closest fit. Unfortunately those are the only sliders where the radius changes like that.

If you want to go the new caliper route just let me know, I'll do the best I can on the caliper price. Nothing wrong with either route. I suppose the new front caliper gives you a spare rear which isn't the end of the world.

This is the same thing people run into using later model long front end caliper bracket on the shorter later model prostreet style sliders or vice versa. Which people have done.

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I get it Eric. And I don't blame HDM for doing their best to provide an economical kit, in fact I did specifically say I was trying to save money.
But for me I'm not going to run this bracket. The top half is a closer fit yes but still does not completely seat against the fork either. The second pic I posted was showing the top of the bracket neither side seats right.

I'm going to go ahead and upgrade the brake caliper and use the correct bracket if you could help here. If you could put a caliper and bracket kit together and email me a link. And thanks for your help


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[Th3InfamousI]

I get it Eric. And I don't blame HDM for doing their best to provide an economical kit, in fact I did specifically say I was trying to save money.
But for me I'm not going to run this bracket. The top half is a closer fit yes but still does not completely seat against the fork either. The second pic I posted was showing the top of the bracket neither side seats right.

I'm going to go ahead and upgrade the brake caliper and use the correct bracket if you could help here. If you could put a caliper and bracket kit together and email me a link. And thanks for your help


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I know you weren't. I was just adding in some extra info for other folks. Lots of smart folks on and I do like to read people's input.

Check your email whenever you get a chance.

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[jarnett]

I know you weren't. I was just adding in some extra info for other folks. Lots of smart folks on and I do like to read people's input.

Check your email whenever you get a chance.

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Just received the new bracket and caliper. Fit is perfect. Extremely satisfied and looking forward to get everything installed this weekend. Thanks for all your help Eric!

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