Can any of the expert hobbists confirm if this is possible?
I would like to have a set of radially mounted brake calipers on my 2003 Warrior, but I'm not sure if it's worth the trouble.

Thanks for the info.

Floren

06 and up have the radially mounted brakes....personally I've ridden both a stock 05 and 06 and I didn't see much difference...you'll probably see more bang for your buck by replacing the brake lines with SS and using a high quality DOT 4.

First let me say that I have not been able to confirm this yet.   It appears the radial caliper may have a different mounting bolt spread or angle on the down tubes.  This may be somewhat supported by the fact the '06-'08 caliper part numbers changed as you know, but also the front fork part numbers changed without obvious other reasons from:

2003-2005: 5PX-23102-03-00 and 5PX-23103-03-00

2006-2008: 5PX23102-20-00 and 5PX-23103-20-00

I have not been able to locate a resource clarifying this point yet, which may be the last bit of info needed to answer the question about the potential to upgrade earlier brake systems to '06+ radial brakes.  My 'gut' feeling right now is the upgrade would require '06+ forks also, making the upgrade less desired.

IMO the radial brakes seem proven (by racers etc) to provide better control on the road.  It may be hard to tell the difference on the showroom floor. 

TECK:

Can any of the expert hobbists confirm if this is possible?
I would like to have a set of radially mounted brake calipers on my 2003 Warrior, but I'm sure if it's worth the trouble.

Thanks for the info.

Floren

RX_Warrior:

06 and up have the radially mounted brakes....personally I've ridden both a stock 05 and 06 and I didn't see much difference...you'll probably see more bang for your buck by replacing the brake lines with SS and using a high quality DOT 4.

+1 I don't think you will notice any real difference on the street unless under extreme conditions or at the track (and the Warrior is not a tracker)....For me, the brake pads made a bigger difference, followed by SS lines.  But the biggest difference I felt was when I went to R1 forks.  Much less front dive when you grab a handful, which results in better handling under braking conditions...

Thanks for the info guys. I just saw a blog entry of our fellow rider Frankenstein.
He explains there how he upgraded his front brakes to radial, using Yami OEM parts.

Since, I'm not experienced like you guys on mods, can you please detail more the R1 forks replacement?
Do they have the same diameter as the regular Warrior forks? I have installed a pair of chrome fork tube covers and I would hate to lose that look.

Edit: Looking at Churchkey's bike... At a glance, he uses stock tubes, so I guess all I have to do is get the SS break lines and the R1 forks. I might be wrong, let me know please.

He installed the radial master cylinder which causes the hand lever to apply more fluid pressure.  He didn't install the radial calipers to go with it so while two-fingered braking is happening for him, he recognizes that the standard caliper doesn't provide the longevity and alignment advantages at the working end.  Go out on the web and search 'radial brake calipers' and you'll find articles describing how they work and advantages, then decide if you want just the radial master cylinder over the long haul.  It could be fine depending on your riding habits.  Note he did this on his 2002 bike.  He didn't attempt to swap calipers so we don't know if the 2006+ radial calipers will fit on the 2002 forks, which has a different part# than 2003-2005 and 2006-2008 forks.  However I believe the calipers are interchangeable 2002-2005.

There's a link to a radial brake caliper discussion in Popular Mods and that discussion indicates "A radially mounted caliper is stiffer, and is better at maintaining alignment with the rotor. This means the pads stay in alignment better, making better contact with the rotor and exerting less lateral force on the rotor while generating less heat for a given pad pressure." 

TECK:

Thanks for the info guys. I just saw a blog entry of our fellow rider Frankenstein.
He explains there how he upgraded his front brakes to radial, using Yami OEM parts.

Since, I'm not experienced like you guys on mods, can you please detail more the R1 forks replacement?
Do they have the same diameter as the regular Warrior forks? I have installed a pair of chrome fork tube covers and I would hate to lose that look.

Edit: Looking at Churchkey's bike... At a glance, he uses stock tubes, so I guess all I have to do is get the SS break lines and the R1 forks. I might be wrong, let me know please.

Thanks, AW.

Guys, can you recommend me a good shop where I can order online the stainless steel brake lines and the R1 forks?

TECK ... Radial mounted calipers REQUIRE the accompanying radial forks because of the caliper mounting bolts

Just my .02 regarding design differences & methodology of the later years ….

Changing to radial brakes on the '06' & > Warrior was cost effective for sharing calipers across the sports bike platforms as well as the frt forks.

If i was in the market for the R1 forks i would place an ad in the wanted in this forum: http://rswarrior.com/forums/28.aspx and also follow the Ebay auctions.

If you go with SS frt brake lines, i would recommend GALFER manufacture and stick to the shortest total length hose possible for less compressibility of the fluid! Don't order the hose until you decide what direction you go.

If braking is your primary interest, I think Oliver's aka Frankenstein conversion to the late R series MC pump and CRG levers is the way to go and you can stick with the stock '02' calipers, forks & rotors 

another place to scout out R1 forks is on the R1 forum....but do your research first  and figure out exactly which R1 forks you want considering parts interchangeability between the Warrior and the R1 forks.  A search on this forum will provide all the info you'll need to do the conversion...

Guys, I really appreciate your help, thanks for your guidance.

I think I will go with those cables (Galfer as advised):
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Warrior2line-F-brake (front)
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Warrior-R-brake (rear)

I will start with the cables first, then I will watch those R1's for a good deal. Since others told me they did not see a real difference between the regular and radial brakes, I think it will be more cost effective to stick with the R1 forks and forget about the radial mod. Any other details you recommend me to look for? Is there a specific part number or model for the R1's?

One more time, thanks for taking the time to read my posts.

Check out Spieglerusa.com...they have over 54 color combinations of brake lines and fittings   and their fittings are a bit less bulkier than Galfers....I got mine with all black fittings and it cost about $146....

Thanks for chiming in.  I've been looking for documented confirmation because I don't know anyone with an '06+ to compare.  The service manual pages another member emailed to me don't show specifics.  I have to ask since you didn't say, did you have a chance to confirm the fork differences hands-on?

AlanH:

TECK ... Radial mounted calipers REQUIRE the accompanying radial forks because of the caliper mounting bolts  

RX_Warrior:

Check out Spieglerusa.com...they have over 54 color combinations of brake lines and fittings   and their fittings are a bit less bulkier than Galfers....I got mine with all black fittings and it cost about $146....

The Spiegler fitting is manufactured from aluminum alloy and requires more mat'l. The positive feature to their fitting is the proprietary no twist joint design that leads to a slightly larger fitting.

The GALFER will give the firmest brake lever (better modulation) because of their superior internal carcass design

Arizona Warrior:

I have to ask since you didn't say, did you have a chance to confirm the fork differences hands-on?

It's obvious in any photo or parts fiche that the lower fork body is cast and machined for radial holes (radial calipers) where as the earlier years have side mount holes on the lower fork.

My hands on is based on the above, the many newer Warriors i've seen in showrooms and i've ridden with as well as my comprehension of auto & motor sports brakes.

Oh well,

I guess that doesn’t qualify me as a creditable source for your Model Year Differences 2002 to 2008

" Looking at Churchkey's bike... At a glance, he uses stock tubes, so I guess all I have to do is get the SS break lines and the R1 forks. I might be wrong, let me know please."

Yep--stock 02 R1 tubes. FYI I was the guy that introduced this mod to the Warrior world around the end of 02 or something like that. That info & a couple of  bucks will get you a coffee at Mac's.

As AlanH stated radial calipers on the 06 & up Warriors are simply a manufacturing $$ saver. I don't know of anyone that is running moto gp on a Warrior so the radial caliper change over is more or less something just to say you have them. Unless your upgrading to late R1 forks & they have the radial calipers, in that case the brakes are a bonus.

The original 02-05 Warrior calipers are R1's but are not radial & provide more than enough front brake for the Warrior. Enough to lock up the stock non sticky front tire at 80 mph if you desire.

To get the front brakes working well install stainless steel brake lines. Flush the system & install synthetic brake fluid. I like Valvoline.

BED IN THE BRAKE PADS. Its in caps because its important. Here's how: Bring the bike up to 40 mph & make an agressive stop using the front brakes only. Do it 10 times in a row then ride easy & allow the brake system to cool off.  You should now have excellent feel/feedback from the brakes.

The 02 R1 forks are 7/8" shorter than the stock Warrior forks but the diameters are the same. Your fork tube covers would have to be trimmed down a bit to work. Or you could just polish the R1 forks.

If you get 99 to 01 R1 forks they are the same length as the Warrior & the covers should fit. These forks were gold in color from the factory. 02 & up R1 forks have improved valving over the earlier units.