Is there anything I can do about my brakes?

[pborkstrom]

I just got my Blaster back from the shop. The guy adjusted the brakes and said my rear pads were worn and should be replaced beginning of next season. Please keep in mind that this is the 1st day that I've had my blaster in my possession - haven't even rode it except around the block.

The brakes seem to really suck. They have cables like bicycle brakes for pete's sake. The pads were cleaned and the brakes were properly adjusted, but the stopping power just isn't there.

Is there anything reasonable I can do to get more stopping power?

 

[super noober]

not really man, lots of people convert to hydros. you can use just about any small caliper for teh back as long as you can fab up the tabs to hold everything, or you can get one off ebay for a blaster. they usually run about $100 bucks.

 

[pborkstrom]

Is there a kit to convert them to hydro or just the 03 blaster brakes?

 

[super noober]

the easiest way is to just get brakes off a 03+. then it basically just bolts on. on the front the spindles need to be changed. i dont mind the cable fronts but i am putting the 03 hydros on the back just need to get around and actually do it.

 

[yb200]

you can melt to 02 and older caliper down and make fishing wieghtsI:II:I

 

[ROCKSTAR]

factory blaster rear barakes are a joke. hydros will do much better for you. it may seem a bit costly at first, but the pain in the ass brakes will be gone, and you may actually be able to stop correctly.

my blaster had non working brakes form the factory...it cost me an upper control arm and a few bruises. at the time the new upper was around 100 bucks. (bought from yamaha dealer in '98)

i recommend a full hydro brake swap. they stop the best...sep if you plan on any go fast mods.....eventually youll have to stop, right? why not put a good set of brakes to help that?

 

[pborkstrom]

is it just straightforward upgade? Any mods other than acquiring the new parts? I'm a total mechanical n00b. My buddies are OK with mechanical work so I could rope them into helping if it doesn't require too much.

 

[super noober]

piece of cake once you have the parts, the only thing is you need to make a bracket to hold your brake cylinder. your frame wont have it because its pre 03. also if you dont want to fab anything you'll need a 03+ carrier so the caliper will bolt up directly.

 

[pborkstrom]

Now...how much does a complete hydro brake system cost? Is it something that is sold to older blasters to address this issue, or do you just go to Yamaha and order 03 parts? Is it even worth the cost?

 

[ROCKSTAR]

buy used, search ebay for banshee brake setups. cheapest way to go. for the front, buy banshee brakes there too, just buy 03+ blaster spindles. you can use banshee hubs also, front and rear.

if you are going to change carriers to an 03+ blaster carrier, buy a banshee axle, make it wider, and your right there, might as well...for that all you need is a brake rotor hub.

 

[ROCKSTAR]

you could probly do teh swap for a couple hundred bucks...depends on what you find for brake setups, dont buy new from yamaha, its WAY too much then....but the stopping power is WAY better when you do it.

 

[foolish913]

its a simple swap once you get the parts like rockstar said just buy used parts to save money i paid $60 for the brake setup $40 for the 04 carrier an another $60 for the banshee axle so basicaly $160 for a whole rearend make sure you get the brake hub if your useing the banshee axle it wont work easily with the blaster brake hub

 

[yamy_jay]

right im pulling my hair out man!!!! my blaster is the same, i have no rear brake its s**t and i have replaced the front cables lower and pads and they still suck!!!! i have looked on the uk ebay(as i live in uk) no one is breaking these 03 blasters or banshees and the american ebay no one will ship out to me!!! help me out guys im gunna kill myself!!! lol

 

[wrench man]

If you guys wouldn't fill the brakes full of MUD! and then let it sit in there ROTTING! all the innards out they would work just fine!!!, mine work AWESOME!!!! I have no intention what so ever of converting them to hydro's, I see absolutely NO need for them!
Also the rear caliper AUTOMATICALLY adjusts, no need to f*ck with it at all!