Author Topic: Should I swap front ends? (Read 9051 times)

Trusty2stroke · « **on:** May 29, 2014, 09:15:39 PM »

So I need pads and rotors for the front brakes and I thought this would be a good time update the front end. I'm aware of all my options that are possible but wondering what are the benefits other than shedding weight and parts availability? If I swap front ends I want the 04-05 450r setup but is it worth the $200?

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Burns363R · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2014, 09:20:32 PM »

Do you race competitively? If not then there's no real reason to upgrade.

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2014, 10:27:14 PM »

No I don't race at the moment but maybe in the future. Are the 450 brakes any better or about the same?

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Burns363R · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2014, 10:57:48 PM »

Roughly the same, maybe slightly better. The 450 spindles are where the gains are made from a geometry stand point.

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2014, 11:19:26 PM »

I thought the 04-05 spindles were very similar geometry to the stock R spindles? In what ways do the 450r spindles help handling? I know the 06-14 are closer to the 400ex geometry and widen the front by .5" on each side. Sorry for all the questions but I really wanna upgrade to these but there is no sense if it is not a huge difference.

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havinnoj · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2014, 01:17:57 AM »

I do it for exactly the reasons you mentioned. But I'm a dune rider so front brakes don't rate as high on the list as other types of riding.

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:34:41 AM »

My stock R brakes work well, but I really have to pull the lever hard. I would like to have a braking system that I don't have to put much effort trying to get the thing to stop lol. My rotors are trashed though, so that may be the reason.

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fearlessfred · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2014, 06:52:15 PM »

I have never understood why people want to do the spindle swap thing other than for the weight savings, can anybody tell me what the changes are in geometry are.the only things that could be changed is kingpin inclination , Ackerman and camber if you have none adjustable a arms

GO OVRIT · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2014, 08:24:26 PM »

The first few years the 450s were out the 250 guys talked about how bad the geometry was on the 450. Now swapping 450 parts front and rear is somewhat common. So are these actual upgrades or or just perceived upgrades due to the parts being much newer?

fearlessfred · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2014, 11:38:38 PM »

Quote from: GO OVRIT;35384

The first few years the 450s were out the 250 guys talked about how bad the geometry was on the 450. Now swapping 450 parts front and rear is somewhat common. So are these actual upgrades or or just perceived upgrades due to the parts being much newer?

I think its follow the leader,If your trying to reduce unsprung weight it makes good sense but for one spindle to be magically better than another makes no sense.honda got it right for an oem setup.when you run shorter mx tires it becomes wrong,but that can be fixed with 4+1 rims.somebody please help the old guy understand

08IRS · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2014, 08:07:05 AM »

Quote from: Trusty2stroke;35312

My stock R brakes work well, but I really have to pull the lever hard. I would like to have a braking system that I don't have to put much effort trying to get the thing to stop lol. My rotors are trashed though, so that may be the reason.

If you still have the stock brake lines that could be part of your stopping problem as they will flex under pressure.

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2014, 08:58:07 AM »

I have the braided stainless lines on there now. I have decided that I'm going to keep my R front end and just get new rotors and pads. Maybe in the future I will get a set of aftermarket hubs to shed some weight. Now another question lol. Are galpher or streamline rotors a big difference over stock?

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F-Red · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2014, 10:31:58 AM »

I made the change out of the necessity. Calipers needed rebuilt and rotors were worn. I felt the cost of replacing and repairing the old with newer, was in the long run a better option.
You can pick up the 450r components, fairly cheap.

fearlessfred · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2014, 11:01:48 AM »

Quote from: F-Red;35407

I made the change out of the necessity. Calipers needed rebuilt and rotors were worn. I felt the cost of replacing and repairing the old with newer, was in the long run a better option.
You can pick up the 450r components, fairly cheap.

That is something I can understand,but I have to ask ,did you notice any big difference from one to another

F-Red · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2014, 12:10:01 PM »

Honesty Fred, I didn't feel any difference. Better braking, but I suppose that could have been achieved with rebuilt original parts. I ride wide open trails, nothing to tight for turning radius.