4ls or disk front for an eldo

[amamet]

I’m putting together my eldorado, and I have a choice between a 4LS front end and a disc front end. I have both set ups.  I’m torn between which one to install. I like the looks of the 4LS better, but discs obviously stop better.  It’s not a daily driver nor am I going to tour on it.  Just for cruising around. Any input is appreciated. What would these setups be valued at? I’ll probably sell whichever I don’t use
Thx
Allen

[Sprouty115]

I’m putting together my eldorado, and I have a choice between a 4LS front end and a disc front end. I have both set ups.  I’m torn between which one to install. I like the looks of the 4LS better, but discs obviously stop better.  It’s not a daily driver nor am I going to tour on it.  Just for cruising around. Any input is appreciated. What would these setups be valued at? I’ll probably sell whichever I don’t use
Thx
Allen

Please choose the disc.  It will stop significantly better and then I can buy the 4LS...

[Turin]

Single Disc or upgrading to double?  15mm master cylinder?

[Don G]

One works as good as the other in original form. Disc is better if doubled up with the proper sized master. Hard to beat double disc for braking performance.   DonG

[Offcamber1]

4LS.  It's just way cooler and looks totally right on an Eldo.  Properly set up and maintained, it is just as effective as the single disk.  (I owned a 4LS Eldo.  Also, aggressively riding an 850T with the same single disk on a challenging road, experienced serious brake fade.  And the T was a much lighter bike.)

Now if you're going to put the second disk/caliper on the the single disk front end I would change my opinion.  (That's what I had to do to my T.)

[cliffrod]

This isn’t about questioning your manhood, so don’t take it that way- 

How hard can you squeeze that lever? I love a 4 shoe brake (and big drum brakes on bikes in general).  I have also been told/ridiculed that I have forearms like Popeye..   That’s because I do and imho it’s very relevant to how well my 4 shoe brakes work.

A 4 shoe brake in proper tune vs single disc with proper m/c probably stop your bike about the same, but the lever squeeze will be a lot different.  If you can squeeze it as hard as it needs to be squeezed every time, a 4LS is great.  However, a single disc will produce the same results with much less lever effort.  Whenever I grab a disc brake lever in anger like I am used to grabbing a 4LS lever, I am quickly reminded of the difference. 

I've got a 4LS on my V7 Sport, have had them on other bikes and am putting one on another bike.   I really like 4 shoe brakes.  But I have sourced most of the parts to put an original single disc on front of a planned Loop bobber/bitsa build, just because I want it to be like that.  I think an original disc on the front of a Loop looks far more elegant and wow than a 4LS does and I really like 4LS brakes. I bet the resale value of an original parts disc brake Eldo would be higher as well.

If you want great braking with a modern 2-finger pull potential in most circumstances, a 4LS isn’t the best choice.. if you’re going to add a second disc, a 4LS is even less practical.   But motorcycles aren’t about being practical- know what I mean?   Which one makes you go “wow”?

[guzziart]

I like the looks of the 4LS better.  It’s not a daily driver nor am I going to tour on it.  Just for cruising around.
Thx
Allen

4LS imho 

Art

[huub]

depends on what you plan to do with the bike.
not sure where you live , but the 4LS in modern traffic is pretty dangerous
modern cars with ABS have a amazingly small stopping distance.
no problems for short trips to get a coffee, but for anything else the disk is the better option.
I kept the 4LS on our V7sport because of originality and looks,
tried 4 different linings and every trick in the book.
but it ended up being crashed into the back of a car because the brakes were unsufficient.
so it has now been converted to double disk front brake.
Ive still got bikes with drum brakes, but those are not as fast or heavy as the V7sport.

[fotoguzzi]

But what about unsprung weight of the two disc set up? I might consider it for my Eldo.

[Canuck750]

I love the look of the Guzzi double sided 2LS used in the V7 Sport and Eldorado. I had a V7 Sport with the double sided 2LS and it worked well. Years ago I converted my 72 Eldorado to twin discs with a proper sized master cylinder from MG Cycle. I used modern floater discs and new Brembo calipers. The braking performance is very good. If you are looking for two finger pull brakes that keep working time after time then dual discs is the best choice IMHO.



If you choose discs give MG Cycle a call, they can set you up with most everything you will need.

[reidy]

But what about unsprung weight of the two disc set up? I might consider it for my Eldo.

Unsprung weight is one thing that came to my mind. I have weighed a few front wheels out of curiosity and if I recall correctly a 2LS Guzzi wheel and backing plate weighed less than an early Nevarda twin disk wheel plus calipers. I would be interested in the weight difference of these two.

Since you asked for opinions, here is the opportunity for me to share mine. I would go with the 4LS front end. If set up properly and you are not canyon racing it should meet your needs. What appeals to me about the 4ls is they look great and I like how they fit the era of the bike. They were about as far as that design went before disks come in. Early disks may work the same but there have been developments in caliper design and disk weight. If it was me I would invest in the best cables you can get and look at lever ratio. I have nothing against older bikes with upgrades but I love to see an older bike that uses original components, that has been made to work in an optimal fashion.     

[steven c]

 And where can you get really good brake cables for the 4LS? Asking for a friend.....

[cliffrod]

And where can you get really good brake cables for the 4LS? Asking for a friend.....

My last set came from MG Cycle.  As far as them being “really good” vs typical oem grade, ?  They work great.

Something that I think is often overlooked on these brakes is how stressed these cables are.  Proper brake fitment, adjustment snd synchronization are all critical, but It only takes a small amount of fatigue to allow the cables to stretch.  Even one fatigued (or worse yet, broken) strand in one cable effectively turns the double-sided brake into a single-sided 2LS brake.  Watch the balance bar mechanism at the lever.  When you pull the lever, there should be no racking at all.  If there is, the problem needs to be addressed. 

When cables are replaced as a pair and suitably adjusted, measure the distance between pulled lever and grip.  Many miles later, when you think the brake isn’t doing what it should be doing, take a new measurement between lever and grip for comparison.  Cable Stretch will probably be observed.  Replace the cables before adjusting the brake and full function is likely to be restored. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

And where can you get really good brake cables for the 4LS? Asking for a friend.....

If MG Cycle doesn't sell Barnett-made cables, have Barnett make some for you.

[bigbikerrick]

I had to make my own front brake cable for my 2LS eldorado, without a brake switch. The replacement cables  at the time were "stretchy" and had poor feel.   I bought supplies from Flanders to make a decent, thicker cable, that would make the best of the available braking. I never did try Barnetts, though. This was about 8-9 years ago. The replacement clutch cable I got recently from MG cycle seems much nicer quality than what I had seen in the past. If I had a choice on my Eldo, I would definitely go with the dual disk.
That being said, I have re learned to use the rear brake on the eldo, alot more than I have on any other bike !   
Rick D.

[reidy]

And where can you get really good brake cables for the 4LS? Asking for a friend.....

I am not sure where your friend lives, I purchased some cable from a company in Australia, Overland Equipment and made my own cables. The sold cable in three different thicknesses. I went for the  heavy duty one they had.