Brake Calipers & Brackets
About Brake Calipers & Brackets
The caliper is the clamp that squeezes the pads against the rotor, and the bracket holds it in the right place over the disc. Riders buy a caliper when a piston seizes or leaks, when corrosion has ruined the finish, or when they want to move from a stock caliper to a multi-piston one.
Several choices have to line up. Piston count is the obvious one, with listings for 4-piston and 6-piston calipers, and some 6-piston radial mount versions. Front or rear, and left or right, matter because calipers are made for one position. The mount must suit your fork or swingarm, and brackets are sold by rotor size, with 12.5 inch and 13 inch examples here. Pads are shaped to a particular caliper, so a new caliper often means new pads. Changing calipers can also change lever feel, so think about the master cylinder too. Small caliper parts such as pistons, bleeder plugs and bumpers are listed here as well.
Brands in this category include Braking, HardDrive, Drag Specialties, Arlen Ness and Performance Machine (PM). Match your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. A new caliper works with Brake Pads, Brake Disc Rotors and Brake Lines, Hoses & Fittings, and an older one may only need Rebuild Kits & Parts. See also Brake Master Cylinders.
FAQs on motorcycle brake calipers
What is the difference between radial and axial mount calipers?
An axial-mount caliper bolts to the fork with bolts that run parallel to the axle. A radial-mount caliper bolts on with bolts pointing toward the axle, so it sits in line with the wheel's radius. The fork has to be made for the mount style you choose.
Do more pistons mean better braking?
Not by themselves. More pistons spread clamping force over more of the pad, which can improve feel. Actual stopping also depends on tire grip, pads, rotor size, lines and the master cylinder, so treat the brake as a system.
Can I fit a different caliper than the stock one?
Sometimes, if the mount, rotor diameter, rotor thickness and master cylinder all suit it. You may need a bracket and different pads. Because brakes are a safety part, use a listing made for your model or follow the maker's fitting instructions.
What does a caliper bracket do?
A bracket positions the caliper correctly over the rotor and mounts it to the fork or swingarm. Brackets are matched to rotor diameter, so a larger rotor needs a bracket made for that size.
How can I tell if a caliper is sticking?
Signs include a wheel that drags when spun, one pad worn much more than the other, a brake that gets very hot, and a lever that does not release fully. Clean and rebuild the caliper, or replace it, before riding.
