Being a bike manufacturer isn’t easy. After all, factory engineers and bean counters have to balance performance, quality, cost, and a wide range of customer riding styles when specifying each component that will go onto that new machine. Including brake components. The result is often a compromise of price and performance that manufacturers hope will satisfy most owners. If you’re looking for more performance, you have options beyond what came on your bike.
Motorcycle chain drive has been around for eons. And, after more than a century it’s still the most efficient way to get power to the ground. But don’t think today’s motorcycle chains are the same as they were back in the day; chain design has come a long way, baby! Better metals, tighter tolerances, improved efficiency and big improvements in durability have kept chain drive at the top of the game. Some “sealed” or “o-ring” chains, even keep themselves lubed for life. So, with all of this refinement, do chains still need care and feeding? Like any final drive system, the answer is, “yes.”
Top braking performance relies on friction—in other words, the brake pad’s ability to grab onto the metal brake rotor. When that ability is compromised, brake performance can go by the wayside faster than that turn entry point you just blew past.
Healthy brake pads have a certain degree of designed-in flexibility. They are made to be soft enough to squeeze against a spinning brake rotor with great force. That pliability also makes them grip well at lower speeds and cooler temperatures. But if brakes are pushed beyond their limits, they can build up more glaze than a Dunkin’ Donut®.
Riders who consistently earn a spot on the podium; are they a unique breed? Are they made differently than everyone else with a special “checkered flag” gene? Or are they mere mortals who have just found how to gain an edge over every other racer?
At SUNSTAR® and BRAKING® we spend a lot of time with racers. In fact, our BRAKING brand has been part of 113 World Titles to date … and counting! We know a thing or two about finishing first. So here are a few things we’ve learned about what it takes to be a winner on the track.
Chain of LiesA casual glance at your chain and sprockets may suggest that everything’s AOK in the final drive department. But a closer look could reveal hidden secrets about excessive wear that could be compromising performance and safety.
Here are four quick ways to know the truth about the condition of your bike’s final drive.
A length of new drive chain is flexible in one direction (to easily bend around sprockets) and stiff in the other direction (side-to-side). Pinch the bike’s chain in the middle of its run between sprockets and move it side-to-side across the bike. If it moves more than an inch or so, that’s a sign of chain link wear. After extensive use and abuse, the chain’s links also become elongated with wear, resulting in larger gaps between links. This makes the chain longer (what some call chain “stretch”). If you’re close to maxing out the adjusters to achieve proper chain tension, then you’re probably looking at a well-worn chain. And, while chain links stretch with wear, sprockets do not, resulting a misalignment of the chain’s links and the sprocket’s teeth. Try pulling the chain away from the teeth at the rear of the back sprocket. If you see separation, then the chain is toast
Braking® Holiday Gift Rules.Still looking for a last-minute gift idea? Give the gift of advanced control and safety.
Have a rider on your holiday gift list? Is he or she tough to buy for? Give ‘em a brake! Whether you’re giving gifts to a rider or want to help someone pick a rockin’ last-minute gift for you, then it may be time to look at a present that will stop them in their tracks. Every bike and rider can benefit from better braking performance. Advanced, high-tech brake pads and brake discs can not only restore less-than-perfect brake system performance, but can also introduce a whole new level of power, control and safety for everyone from the casual dirt or road rider to the professional racer.
How long do brakes last? The not so definitive answer is, “it depends.” Mileage and hours really don’t mean much. It all comes down how aggressively the bike is ridden, braking technique and how well each of the brake system components is functioning. That’s why it’s so important to monitor the condition of your brake’s pads and discs. Fortunately, there are three super-simple ways you can gauge wear and maintain top braking performance.
Here are three simple (but often overlooked) ways to know when it’s time to swap out brake components:
The motorcycle final drive is perhaps the most often overlooked system, yet it gives us as riders the opportunity to tailor the performance of our machine precisely to our own riding style.
The drivetrain is a series of mechanical components that drive the motorcycle forward, beginning with power creation and ending with delivery of that power to the rear wheel.
Comprised of the engine that generates power and a transmission that enables the rider to apply that power in a usable way, this “primary drive” system is then connected to the “final drive” that ultimately transfers the spinning muscle from the gear box back to the rear wheel.
As riders, there’s nothing quite like the rush of a new ride adventure. Whether that’s attacking the track, taming the trails or ruling the road, we hunger for each chance to set out on a new ride.
With that same excitement, we are about to set out on a new journey with you, diving into the subject we are most passionate about: motorcycles and SXSs/ATVs. This SUNSTAR® / BRAKING® blog marks the beginning of an ongoing trek where, together, we will explore the ins and outs of braking and drive systems to help you boost your machine’s performance.
SPRINGBORO, Ohio (DECEMBER 6, 2017) — SUNSTAR and BRAKING, recognized as the industry leaders in OEM and aftermarket sprockets, brake discs and more, announces the launch of a new website created for motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle owners to easily fit their machines with the highest grade, OEM/factory specified products. Read more.
