XR600 Rear disk brake retrofit

[StevePSD]

I am tempted to retrofit a rear disk brake on my '87 XR600 to replace the marginal drum brake (and upgrade to a 18" wheel as well).

It looks like a fairly simple swap - it appears that I can use my existing swingarm - will the brake caliper holder fit onto the existing drum brake hub stay on the swingarm? Will the brake pedal need to be replaced with a disk brake unit? I know I will need to fab and weld a couple of brackets to hold the master cylinder & reservoir. Are any additional/different wheel spacers required?

On another subject:

Does anyone know if a '88 & newer front disk brake rotor will bolt-up to the '87?

Anyone have any extras of these items laying around that they want to get rid of?

Thanks!

[targetdrone]

It's not worth the effort. Upgrade your choice of bike if you must have a rear disc.

The front disc did not change until '93.

If you do change, let me know. I may be interested in the wheel. I have all of the suspension parts except a rear wheel with drum brakes to make my XL into an XR suspension-wise. (The XL wheel with cush drive is too wide for the XR swingarm.)

[don87xr600]

The disc change in '93 was cosmetic, all years front disc will fit.

[Boy Honda]

I did it to my 90. But I went the easy way (expensive). I bought a new swing arm. The caliper carrier rides in a channel on the swing arm so you will have to cut the square tab off and weld the channel on. Not a good idea, I do not recommend this unless you are a master welder/fabricator.

These are all the parts I had to get to complete the project.

91-on swingarm, wheel assembly, rear spocket, rear brake assembly (caliper, carrier, line, master cylinder), brake pedal.

88-90 the shock and linkage are pretty much the same as 91-on, so I didn't have to change the shock out. That is probably something you will want to look into as well, before buying any thing.

Good Luck if you decide to do it.

[DSTerry]

I did this on my 89. Though I had a complete 93 parts bike. So I used the swingarm, caliper, master cylinder, resevior, pedal and hoses, and tire assembly. I then cut off the mounting brackets for the master cylinder and pedal, and welded them on to my '89 frame. Came out really nice. I'll try and post some pictures.