ZX12R 6 pot brakes

[p.ludlow2]

:yo:Has anyone ridden a zx12r 6 pot model, and if so how did they rate the brakes.The reason i ask , is because i have a zx12r front end less the 6 pots to put on my bird.
I am not sure which way to go with the brakes,the easy route is to find the 6 pots and put them on.I got a set off ebay but all the pistons were seized and someone tried to get them out heavy handed so only good for the bin.:bang:
I am trying to find out if its worth going down this route,or to get a set of 4 pot brembos which will mean more work.If the kawasaki 6 pots are good then thats the route i will go,just dont wont to buy them if they are rubbish.All reviews welcome.:bow:

 

[ericonblackbird]

I got a set off ebay but all the pistons were seized and someone tried to get them out heavy handed so only good for the bin

they can be real difficult to shift, even the shop manual says use an air line.
If you use the 6 potters you have to be prepared to do a lot of 'routine' cleaning, they do loose their bite quickly if used normally not just neglected.

Here is my current set up with the ZX12 front end.

 

[p.ludlow2]

they can be real difficult to shift, even the shop manual says use an air line.
If you use the 6 potters you have to be prepared to do a lot of 'routine' cleaning, they do loose their bite quickly if used normally not just neglected.

Here is my current set up with the ZX12 front end.

:yo:Very nice,what are the brembos off and what spacing are they.I think brembos do a 45mm and 60 odd mm.What are they like and have you ever rode a six pot model to compare them with.
If i am right i think the early brembos were 2 pads and newer ones 4,but not too sure on that.
Where did you get the spacers made,looks a good job.I was going to rebuild the zx12r forks but after reading manual on them , looks like you need special tools.So going to build it and then ride it to someone who knows wat they are doing so it can be set up on bird for its weight.
Did you have to play around with settings or change spring rates on the forks,and how do you rate them.I have not long had my standard fork bottoms powercoated and Jaws conversion which is good.but hoping the zx12r ones will be better and looks so much better too.Good job mate.:bow:

 

[garymitch]

sorry to ask but what the diffrence in putting a zx12 front end on a bird.:dunno:

 

[Para045]

sorry to ask but what the difference in putting a ZX12 front end on a bird.:dunno:

Same as doing a RC51/SP1 or Busa front end - you get USD forks with more "adjustability" and supposedly less sprung weight and therefore better handling :dunno:
Also it means delinking the brakes (which some prefer) and possibly a better caliper/braking setup bl4hbl4h

There are a few guys on OzBB who have done the RC51 front to their BB's and reckon it improves the handling of the bike :dunno:
Also a couple of guys on the US forums have done the Busa front end on theirs

Not cheap either way though c7u8

 

[ericonblackbird]

p.ludlow2. Google really is your friend when it comes to brake options, 2 pad, 4 pad mounting spacings etc .....there are many out there it just takes time to find what you want, what bikes they are/were fitted to and then try and find the items at the right price! I believe one of Brembos largest dealers/developers in Italy (MCI????) make spacers but don't quote me on that one. As a starting point on what options are available, have a look here (there are many other sites available, I just happen to have this one bookmarked)
http://www.pdq1.co.uk/brembo.htm
I haven't tried a 6 pot comparison, I decided what I wanted and built that, but as you can see I have used Brembo discs and I also have a radial master cylinder on the bars. This has (so far) given me more than enough brakes.
I have used standard rate Ohlins springs and with the changes that I have made to all settings and both front and rear ride heights have ended up with a set-up that I really like.

So going to build it and then ride it to someone who knows wat they are doing so it can be set up on bird for its weight.

get them re-built when they are off the bike if they need it, std rate springs suit me (13st in full riding kit) but the final amount of weight on the front end depends on your weight, riding position and of course the attitude that you set the whole bike at.

sorry to ask but what the diffrence in putting a zx12 front end on a bird

as per Para045's post. I did it because I bought a write off as a 'project' and fancied making 'my bike'.
Para045, it wasn't that expensive! I have no doubt that it could have been done cheaper with std BB parts (I have spare wheels and forks) but unlike the Busa front end no machining of bearings/races has to be done :-0)

 

[p.ludlow2]

p.ludlow2. Google really is your friend when it comes to brake options, 2 pad, 4 pad mounting spacings etc .....there are many out there it just takes time to find what you want, what bikes they are/were fitted to and then try and find the items at the right price! I believe one of Brembos largest dealers/developers in Italy (MCI????) make spacers but don't quote me on that one. As a starting point on what options are available, have a look here (there are many other sites available, I just happen to have this one bookmarked)
http://www.pdq1.co.uk/brembo.htm
I haven't tried a 6 pot comparison, I decided what I wanted and built that, but as you can see I have used Brembo discs and I also have a radial master cylinder on the bars. This has (so far) given me more than enough brakes.
I have used standard rate Ohlins springs and with the changes that I have made to all settings and both front and rear ride heights have ended up with a set-up that I really like.
get them re-built when they are off the bike if they need it, std rate springs suit me (13st in full riding kit) but the final amount of weight on the front end depends on your weight, riding position and of course the attitude that you set the whole bike at.
as per Para045's post. I did it because I bought a write off as a 'project' and fancied making 'my bike'.
Para045, it wasn't that expensive! I have no doubt that it could have been done cheaper with std BB parts (I have spare wheels and forks) but unlike the Busa front end no machining of bearings/races has to be done :-0)

:yo:Cheers for that info your a star,see if anyone gives me feedback on 6 pots as thats the cheapest route.Been on the zx12r site to ask,but no joy,nobody must ride them on there.:-0)

 

[DuncanR]

I had Kawa 6 pots on my old ZX9R, and was a bit disappointed with them to be honest - not sure if they are the same calipers as used on the ZX12R though.

I now have Brembo 4 pots (2 pad version), braided lines and Brembo master cyl on my BB (all off an Aprillia Mille) and really like that setup.

 

[p.ludlow2]

I had Kawa 6 pots on my old ZX9R, and was a bit disappointed with them to be honest - not sure if they are the same calipers as used on the ZX12R though.

I now have Brembo 4 pots (2 pad version), braided lines and Brembo master cyl on my BB (all off an Aprillia Mille) and really like that setup.

:yo:Cheers for that Duncan,think they are the same 6 pots.Was your master cylinder of the mille too,someone on the USA site who did the sp1 forks on his bird said he kept the standard bird master cylinder,because it flows pretty well.:-0)

 

[ericonblackbird]

bloody right it does. A remarkable difference.

I'm finding myself in agreement with Mr Lumpy :-0) ........... but with all the available adjustment, I have no doubt that a good deal of the difference is in getting the setup right! When I fitted the ZX12 front end I initially set the geometry the same as my 'daily bird' ............... the front end pushed outwards (understeered) at releatively moderate speeds on constant radius roundabouts (twas fine at low speed and 'fast'). Dropping the forks 11mm relative to the daily Bird set up gave me what I wanted.......... but it took lots of laps and gradual adjustment. Since getting that sorted it's been on to the damping!

Was your master cylinder of the mille too,someone on the USA site who did the sp1 forks on his bird said he kept the standard bird master cylinder,because it flows pretty well

can I suggest that you ignore what forks he had fitted, it is what brakes he had fitted. From memory a CBR6 master cylinder is much more appropriate if going 4 pot but you need to decide on the calipers before you sort the M/C.

I had Kawa 6 pots on my old ZX9R, and was a bit disappointed with them to be honest

glad you said that, as you may have gathered I'm certainly not a fan of the 6 potters, they appear to work well for the first month and then give up the ghost unless you clean them after every ride!