Disc brake conversion

Rat · Posts: 151 Location: Seattle, Wa

With our monsoons/winter season coming on, I have several months ahead to do some much needed work to my trike. I am going to replace the axel berrings and I want to convert the drum brakes to discs.
It is an older MotorTrike/Aspencade. I am told the the rear axels are shortend early Ford Pinto.
Anybody know of a disc brake conversion kit or setup that will work?
Rat
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Ray "Warf Rat" Small
83 Aspencade Motortrike
Wa-1 Treasurer
warfrat@nw-trikes.org
www.nw-trikes.org

Steve Smith · Posts: 187 Location: Elma, Washington

OK, Ray, here's what you do.... first get the rear suspension, tranny and motor from a vw, then mate that to the front half of your goldwing. Get VW disc brakes and viola! Wink

Just kidding! Shocked

Have you taken alook at some of the car racing web sites? Couldn't point you in a direction yet, but would seem to me that there would be some aftermarket parts for that rear end.
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Sarge and Cheri
Long, Low Red VW Trike
Elma, Washington
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TRI Group Leader WA-1, Soggy Bottom Trikers

Rat · Posts: 151 Location: Seattle, Wa

Ha ha ha Sarge.
I have looked at a couple of online performance parts sites. It appears that most racers don't use the rear ends out of an old Pinto so there is little help there, but I will keep looking.
I do know of a place out towards the ocean where I can probably find the parts I need just sitting around if it does come to replacing the back end with VW parts though.
Rat
_________________
Ray "Warf Rat" Small
83 Aspencade Motortrike
Wa-1 Treasurer
warfrat@nw-trikes.org
www.nw-trikes.org

John Luciano · Posts: 297 Location: Connecticut

Dont try to get MT to help. a friend tried and got no help at all. He finally wrecked the bike ( not brake related ) and switched to Champion that has rear disk. Might try wrecking yard. they are good at telling you what fits on what.
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Rat · Posts: 151 Location: Seattle, Wa

I've been down that road with Motor Trikes before. Customer service means they never have to say they are sorry. You bought it, so it's your problem.
I have lots of time. I think your right. I will try the wrecking yards or just give up on it and do a complete rebuild of the old brakes. They went the first 107,000 miles. I guess I wouldn't know what to do if it stopped pulling to the right when I try to slow down.
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Ray "Warf Rat" Small
83 Aspencade Motortrike
Wa-1 Treasurer
warfrat@nw-trikes.org
www.nw-trikes.org

Doug Polancih · Posts: 140 Location: Eastpointe,MI

eh

I found some listings online.

I typed in (ford pinto disc brake convesion kits) there were a bunch listed. I don't really understand the jargon so that's up to you....

GOOD LUCK let me know if it was any help

Doug
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1989 GW -Champion Conversion
Located : Eastpointe,MI (SE Michigan)
Member: BTW member
Blue Knights MI-1(charter member)
AMA Member

Rat · Posts: 151 Location: Seattle, Wa

Thanks for the tip Doug, but nothing there for me. I contacted Jegs, a custom and high performance parts place that really knows their stuff and was told that there was nothing available. They suggested that I find a trike manufacturer that uses rear disc brakes and ask if they might sell me a set.
I put fuel stabilizer in the tank and parked it in the back of the garage for now. I'll keep my ears open, but I'll plan on rebuilding what I have. I've got several months of cold and wet outside to get around to it.
Rat
_________________
Ray "Warf Rat" Small
83 Aspencade Motortrike
Wa-1 Treasurer
warfrat@nw-trikes.org
www.nw-trikes.org

Doug Polancih · Posts: 140 Location: Eastpointe,MI

I know about your weather!!! Confused

I was stationed there in the army for basic training in 1967 from November to January. It does get a little wet. I think we had 1-day of sunshine the whole time.

Good Luck

Doug
_________________
1989 GW -Champion Conversion
Located : Eastpointe,MI (SE Michigan)
Member: BTW member
Blue Knights MI-1(charter member)
AMA Member

John Luciano · Posts: 297 Location: Connecticut

The thing is the NEW Motor Trikes use disk brakes. Also I am sure some Ford dealer can fig. it out. HECK a buddy of mine put front Disk brakes on his Hot Rod 1936 Plymouth that has a 1928 Ford straight axle.
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Ed Siler · Posts: 21 Location: St Louis, Missouri

OK, I'm WAAY late on this, but if it has the rearend I think it does it'll be a Ford 7.5" with 4-lug axles, is that right? If so, what you need will be available for the 87-93 Mustang LX (not GT)
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Group Leader - MO-1 "Gateway Trikers"

Proud owner of:
1986 Suzuki Cavalcade/ MotorTrike
1986 Cavalcade LXE
1987 Cavalcade LXE (under restoration)
You'd almost think we like these bikes, huh!

Gerald Whelpley · Posts: 2 Location: Phoenix, AZ

What Ed said and also check out Baer Brakes, they should have what your need.
JerryW in AZ Rolling Eyes

Wayne Harmsen · Posts: 3 Location: Hamilton,Michigan

I had a motor trike kit in stalled on our 1500 a year ago.
I ordered the kit with opitional disk brakes but was told that motor trike no longer offered them because they were having to much trouble getting them to work right.

The drum brakes that I have work good but I was disapointed I couldn't get the disks. I have been looking in the salvage yards around here for the hardware to change them to disks.

Most of the other trike manufactures seemed to have figured out how to make disks work on the 1500's so I know it can be done.

Other than that we love our Motor Trike. Very Happy

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1989 GL1500 WITH 2008 MotorTrike Coupe kit