[FastDemise]

I have a 1980 CM400T and just upgraded from single piston to Dual piston brakes. Most any of the dual piston bikes from the later years will work as long as you make sure you get the bracket as well. I used a Honda VT 1100 Shadow 1985-86 front left dual piston w/bracket and worked like a charm. Also compared it to the CM400C dual piston brake and it's identical. I also believe certain models of the Goldwings had dual pistons. You just need the left one of course. I hope this isn't all old news to some and this helps someone out.

 

[J-T]

Thanks for sharing. Very nice to know.

Did you notice any difference?

 

[FastDemise]

Have no ridden it yet but it's a immediate difference in the brake lever. With the old caliper I could squeeze the brake hard enough to almost touch the grip. Just swapped in the dual and 10sec bleed no soft brake at all. I already replaced the degrading rubber brake hose with a custom made stainless one and was really cheap on eBay. I installed the mostly worn old pads that came with the caliper at the moment. If I notice a positive change then it speaks very loudly about the upgrade. I just need to find a master cylinder as cheap as I did this caliper.

I must say I am in love with my CM400. It reminds me of my Jeep Cherokee. So many other models of Honda bikes have similar parts that I can upgrade and change out parts to improve my bike as I see fit. Same as my Cherokee with the many years and models.

 

[yayupp]

Do you know hole spacing on the mount? I've been trying to find a front brake for my '78 CB400T. I have not been able to find an exact answer for my specific model and I don't want to just start throwing away money.

 

[billybigmac]

my 78 could use this as well

 

[TheKurgen]

Has anybody figured out if the dual piston caliper setup will work on a 1978 CB400TII?

 

[longdistancerider]

yayupp, billybigmac, TheKurgen
Yes this will work on your bike. In 1981 most of the CM/CB models, not all, had gone to dual piston calipers.
Improvements for the braking system are:
Throw those 30 year old pads that look good away. :lol:
Replace that 30 year old rubber hose in the garbage and install a SS braided hose
Rebuild or replace the master, any 5/8" master will work as long as it uses the 10mm banjo bolt(almost all do)

 

[HerrDeacon]

That is very cool, love to hear your review once you've had some seat time with the new brakes.

 

[lynjed]

hi,
even more stopping power can be added by swapping the master cylinder - the Goldwing one again will fit but has a piston much bigger, moves more fluid with less effort - all early cb,s use the small piston version, dropped after the range ended.
even better swap it out for something more modern - I use one from an Yamaha R6, with goodridge hoses onto twin CB1 calipers - the bike will stand on its nose if req!
j

 

[TheKurgen]

Longdistancerider, thanks for your help. I seem to be having trouble with the bracket and caliper however; I managed to find a dual piston caliper and bracket off of a 1982 CM450T and I am confused as to how the bracket mounts. Either way I try to mount the bracket, whether it's on the outside of the forks or inside the caliper does not seem to align properly with the brake rotor. Would I have to swap the CM450T rotor onto the CB400T? I appreciate the help!

 

[longdistancerider]

Yeah, looks like the rotor will need to be changed for the T2.

 

[coldstreak]

Reviving old topic, but same questions more or less. Found seemingly conflicting info within this thread & between others (if I'm understanding parts lists correctly and other's successes/failures with interchangeability)... Here are current parts for my prospective setup, but I think other folks could benefit from additional clarification too:

79 CM400T forks (mounting points)
78 CB400TII wheel
79 CM400T rotor

Which caliper is needed? (red or blue-highlights not showing in Tapatalk)
[attachment=4:3qerb4yy]image.jpg[/attachment:3qerb4yy][attachment=2:3qerb4yy]image.jpg[/attachment:3qerb4yy]
45101-MA5-771
1982 CB450SC
1982 CB450T
1982 CB650
1982 CB750C
1982 CB750K
1982 CB750SC
1982 CM450A
1982 CM450C
1983 CB450SC
1983 CB750SC
1983 CM450A
1983 VT750C
1984 VT700C
1985 CB450SC
1985 VT700C


[attachment=1:3qerb4yy]image.jpg[/attachment:3qerb4yy][attachment=0:3qerb4yy]image.jpg[/attachment:3qerb4yy][attachment=3:3qerb4yy]image.jpg[/attachment:3qerb4yy]
45101-MA3-006
1981 CB400T
1981 CB750F
1981 CB900F
1981 CM400C
1981 GL500
1981 GL500I
1982 CB650
1982 CB750C
1982 CB750F
1982 CB750K
1982 CB750SC
1982 CB900C
1982 CB900F
1982 CM450A
1982 CM450C
1982 CX500C
1982 CX500TC
1982 FT500
1982 GL1100
1982 GL1100A
1982 GL1100I
1982 GL500
1982 GL500I
1982 VF750C
1982 VF750S
1983 CB1000C
1983 CB1100F
1983 CB650SC
1983 CB750SC
1983 FT500
1983 GL650
1983 GL650I
1983 VF750C
1983 VF750S
1984 CB650SC
1984 VF700C
1984 VF700S
1985 CB650SC
1985 VF700C
1985 VF700S
1985 VF700S
1985 VT1100C
1986 CB450SC
1986 CMX450C
1986 VF700C
1986 VT1100C
1987 CMX450C

Just use the mounting bracket from the current single pot caliper (correct hole spacing) or need a specific one from the lists above?

Rotor swap needed too?

 

[coldstreak]

Sorry to bump so soon, just wanted to see if there was any verification/clarification on this. (With the kiddo, haven't had time in garage to test fit & I don't want to apart a caliper that I can still return for the other)...

Can upload more photos of these 2 calipers if it would help anyone

**45101-MA5-771**
HAWK's
82 CB450T
NIGHTHAWK's
82-85 CB450SC
82-83 CB750SC
CB's
82 CB650 (LATE VINS)
82 CB750C (LATE VINS)
82 CB750K (LATE VINS)
CM's
82 CM450(A/C) (LATE VINS)
83 CM450(A/C)
SHADOW's
83 VT750C
84-85 VT700C

**45101-MA3-006**
HAWK's
81 CB400T
CB's
82 CB650 (EARLY VINS)
82 CB750C (EARLY VINS)
82 CB750K (EARLY VINS)
82 CB900C
83 CB1000C
CM's
81 CM400C
82 CM450(A/C) (EARLY VINS)
CX's
82 CX500C(TC)
SUPER SPORT's
81-82 CB750F
81-82 CB900F
83 CB1100F
SILVERWING's
81-82 GL500(I)
83 GL650
GOLDWING's
82 GL1100(A/I)
ASCOT's
82-83 FT500
NIGHTHAWK's
86 CB450SC
83-85 CB650SC
82-83 CB750SC
MAGNA's
82-83 VF750C
84-86 VF700C
SABRE's
82-83 VF750S
84-85 VF700S
SHADOW's
85-86 VT1100C
REBEL's
86-87 CMX450C

 

[longdistancerider]

I don't have a definitive answer on this but it would be good to get

 

[66Sprint]

I did the swap on a customer bike a good time ago, and all I remember is that if the carry bracket mount holes aligned properly with the mounts on the fork slider, then the caliper fit correctly as well.....You'll pretty much have to trial fit it.....

 

[coldstreak]

Thanks again guys, that's what I figured! After scouring this whole section again it seemed like varied successes. Appeared like when I was comparing them at the shop, one might go inside the mounting points on the slider and the other outside. Just speculation though as mentioned before, it probably makes more difference which mounting bracket and rotor are being mated...

We shall see! Probably get in garage tomorrow depending on toddler & Bronco game. Off Monday so might be able to get back up to shop if an exchange is in order...

 

[coldstreak]

I found a clue looking at the parts compatibility for the fork sliders. As the mounting points are the same, caliper carry brackets should be theoretically interchangeable too. Therefore an upgrade for any of these bikes with this part should have similar outcomes:
(Note: Tapatalk discards some color info so highlights are best viewed dieectly in Hondatwins website)

51521-449-023 CASE, L. (LOWER)
[FRONT FORK SLIDER]
78 CB400A
78-79 CB400TII
80 CB400T
79-80 CM400A
79-80 CM400T
78-79 CX500
79-80 CX500C
79-80 CX500D

After checking our forum, thought it would be interesting to search for options for the CX and found this gem:
http://cx500forum.com/forum/technical-help-forum/15343-cx500-dual-pot-caliper-upgrade.html

Start excerpt:
So if all the info works what that means for us is if you have a 1978-80 cx500 [of any variety (and any of our bikes in the list above) and I believe the 1981 cx500 deluxe because it doesn't have leading axle forks but I cant be sure. Maybe someone can verify that. The the mounting bolt points on the forks will be 2.5 inches apart and take bracket part number 45110-445-632 is shared with

1981
CM400C
CB400T
CB750F
CB900F

1982
CM450A
CM450C
CB750F
CB900F
GL1100

1983
GL650
GL650I

1985
VT1100C

1986
CB450SC
CMX450C
VT1100C

(The 2.5" carry bracket will look like this):
[attachment=0:romnh8ii]image.jpg[/attachment:romnh8ii]
(This section is not relevant if upgrading bike from top/green list but might be useful to someone)
But if you have a 1981 cx500 custom with leading axle forks the mounting bolt points on the forks will be 4 inches apart and take bracket part number 45110-MA5-006 BRACKET, L. FR. is also used on these models and components:

1982
CB750C
CB900C
FT500

1983
CB550SC
CX650C
FT500
VT500C
VT500FT

1984
VF500C
VT500C
VT500FT

1985
VF500C
VT500C

1986
VT500C
(End excerpt)

So, if you want to upgrade a single piston (front left) caliper from a bike on the top list (green), you'll need the carry bracket and dual piston caliper from a bike on the second list (orange); or at least the carry bracket from second list (orange) and caliper 45101-MA3-006 from bike on this list (purple):

81 CB400T HAWK
82 CB650 (EARLY VINS)
82 CB750K
82 CB750C CUSTOM
82 CB900C CUSTOM
83 CB1000C CUSTOM
81 CM400C CUSTOM
82 CM450(A/C) (CUSTOM/HONDAMATIC)
82 CX500C (TC ) (TURBO)
81-82 CB750F SUPER SPORT
81-82 CB900F SUPER SPORT
83 CB1100F SUPER SPORT
81-82 GL500(I) SILVERWING (INTERSTATE)
83 GL650(I) SILVERWING (INTERSTATE)
82 GL1100(A/I) GOLDWING (ASPENCADE/INTERSTATE)
82-83 FT500 ASCOT
86 CB450SC NIGHTHAWK
83-85 CB650SC NIGHTHAWK
82-83 CB750SC NIGHTHAWK
82-83 VF750C MAGNA
84-86 VF700C MAGNA
82-83 VF750S SABRE
84-85 VF700S SABRE
85-86 VT1100C SHADOW
86-87 CMX450C REBEL
************
My setup is working out so far
79 CM400T (bike/fork slider)
85 VT1100C (carry bracket & caliper)
85 VF700C MAGNA (caliper in better condition)
[attachment=1:romnh8ii]image.jpg[/attachment:romnh8ii]
Haven't verified rotors yet, but a match to caliper may be in order...

 

[longdistancerider]

Nice research and write up, thanks

 

[coldstreak]

Thanks Jim, hope it helps someone! This forum is an invaluable resource for me!

 

[longdistancerider]

It's the research that's really important since there are small changes that make big improvements and Honda doesn't supply any documentation like most manufacturers. Plus when you're swapping parts between different bikes that just confuses the issue :lol: