help with 1976 R60/6 front end swap

toshibasz · 10-30-2012, 09:04 AM

Need some help advice....I just bought my "new" bike - 1976 R60/6 and after a first ride I was terrified with the braking of the front drum brakes so I immediately decided that I must do some front end conversion. Considering 2 options:

-I have good price for R65 single disc forks and R75/6 front wheel with disc. Will they "fit together"?

- i would like to swap it with front end with some jap-bike (with spoke wheels). This is my preferred option. Can you suggest me a bike which front end will fit with BMW r60/6 chassis?

I dont know...maybe Im askin some stupid questions but my mechanical knowledge is minus zillion. I would like to apologize for that and also for my bad English.

Thanks a lot

disston · 10-30-2012, 09:09 AM

If the R65 has dual disk brakes this MAY be the best option IMHO. The single Ate disk on the R75/6 will disappoint you. In fact the drum brakes on an R60/6 can be made to out perform the single Ate disk. But I don't think you want to have GOOD brakes I think you want the BEST brakes.

I really don't think you will be happy with this bike ever. Get rid of it and buy something you will be happy with.

toshibasz · 10-30-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disston

If the R65 has dual disk brakes this MAY be the best option IMHO. The single Ate disk on the R75/6 will disappoint you. In fact the drum brakes on an R60/6 can be made to out perform the single Ate disk. But I don't think you want to have GOOD brakes I think you want the BEST brakes.

I really don't think you will be happy with this bike ever. Get rid of it and buy something you will be happy with.

I dont need best brakes. I just need brakes .. dual discs front with spoke 18/19 wheel.Thats all. This is a sort of my project bike. (even im idiot with mechanics).... I have 2009 Wee for every day ride....

SOLO LOBO · 10-30-2012, 10:58 AM

The drum's are pretty OK when set up correctly... my R60/5 had two finger brakes....

photorider · 10-30-2012, 11:11 AM

As others have suggested: clean, lube and adjust the brakes you have before you go spending a bunch of money. They may surprise you. Yes, they take a little more hand pressure but can be made to work well.
I'm kind of glad I don't need to mess with brake fluid and besides, the drum brakes kinda fit the character of the machine. Just my humble opinion...

JonnyCash · 10-30-2012, 11:14 AM

My /5 with a single disk ATE front end, converted to HB mounted MC brakes very well. Better in fact than it did with the dual disk ATE setup with the stock under tank MC. It's not great by modern standards, but I never want for more. I recently rode a friend's R60/6, and I agree with you, I didn't have anything nice to say about the drum front end.

toshibasz · 10-30-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyCash

My /5 with a single disk ATE front end, converted to HB mounted MC brakes very well. Better in fact than it did with the dual disk ATE setup with the stock under tank MC. It's not great by modern standards, but I never want for more. I recently rode a friend's R60/6, and I agree with you, I didn't have anything nice to say about the drum front end.

JC....what parts did u used to convert it? Forks and wheel...

10-30-2012, 09:04 AM	#1
toshibasz ^OP Adventurer Joined: May 2010 Location: Skopje, Macedonia, Balkans, Oddometer: 38	help with 1976 R60/6 front end swap Need some help advice....I just bought my "new" bike - 1976 R60/6 and after a first ride I was terrified with the braking of the front drum brakes so I immediately decided that I must do some front end conversion. Considering 2 options: -I have good price for R65 single disc forks and R75/6 front wheel with disc. Will they "fit together"? - i would like to swap it with front end with some jap-bike (with spoke wheels). This is my preferred option. Can you suggest me a bike which front end will fit with BMW r60/6 chassis? I dont know...maybe Im askin some stupid questions but my mechanical knowledge is minus zillion. I would like to apologize for that and also for my bad English. Thanks a lot __________________ the passion to keep fly...thats the best life cause the motorcycle...-moon92

10-30-2012, 09:09 AM	#2
disston ShadeTreeExpert Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Silver Spring, Md Oddometer: 5,013	If the R65 has dual disk brakes this MAY be the best option IMHO. The single Ate disk on the R75/6 will disappoint you. In fact the drum brakes on an R60/6 can be made to out perform the single Ate disk. But I don't think you want to have GOOD brakes I think you want the BEST brakes. I really don't think you will be happy with this bike ever. Get rid of it and buy something you will be happy with. __________________ Never memorize something you can look up. ---Albert Einstein

10-30-2012, 11:14 AM	#6
JonnyCash turd polisher Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Midcoast, Maine Oddometer: 771	My /5 with a single disk ATE front end, converted to HB mounted MC brakes very well. Better in fact than it did with the dual disk ATE setup with the stock under tank MC. It's not great by modern standards, but I never want for more. I recently rode a friend's R60/6, and I agree with you, I didn't have anything nice to say about the drum front end. __________________ I wouldn't bring her home to Mama, but Mama ain't home tonight.

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10-30-2012, 11:11 AM	#5
photorider Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago and Guatemala Oddometer: 118	As others have suggested: clean, lube and adjust the brakes you have before you go spending a bunch of money. They may surprise you. Yes, they take a little more hand pressure but can be made to work well. I'm kind of glad I don't need to mess with brake fluid and besides, the drum brakes kinda fit the character of the machine. Just my humble opinion...