Hawk brake upgrade - Just thinking

Skyd · 03-19-2021, 02:53 PM

Hey guys,

So I'm waiting for my hawk to show up, but I'm hyper fixated on it already. HAHA

So anyway while poking around the forums, gathering my list of immediate and future upgrades and modifications I got to thinking about brakes. I'm going to flush the system and fill with DOT4 fluid and run it. However, I see alot of squawking particularly about the rear brakes AND I've also seen/heard the pedal isn't very adjustable or comfortable for alot of people.

My question is, has anyone tried swapping out the calipers or master cylinder/brake pedal assembly for something better?

I actually had this "issue" with my DRZ400. The rear brake was ok, but I swapped it for a CRF450 setup and it made a world of difference. Just wondering if anyone has played around with something like that and what might match up....

I'm a firm believer that you should make your stuff stop better before you make it go faster.

Thoughts?

Megadan · 03-19-2021, 03:37 PM

The Hawk rear brake is just about as powerful as the front. The only real complaint I have is the brake pedal itself not being shaped very well. I just haven't looked into replacing it. Instead, I took it off, heated and reshaped it by straightening it out to make the end further inboard and farther away from the peg. All that required was straightening it quite a bit.

**JerryHawk250** · 03-19-2021, 04:44 PM

Cleaning the brake rotors real good with brake cleaner to remove the protective oily film we help. Clean them before even riding the bike.

TxTaoRider · 03-19-2021, 05:38 PM

I swapped the brozz rear brake (single piston) onto my tbr7 (which was a dual piston like the hawk) when I did the swingarm conversion. At first it was noticeably weaker, but after it got bedded it works pretty good. I may put a hawk caliper on it later since it's a bolt on.

thederrick106 · 03-22-2021, 10:05 AM

I just put all new brake components on the 2015 hawk i am rebuilding. I went with a similar master, braided brake lines, new hawk rear caliper (couldn't find a cheap suitable replacement) and they feel really strong in testing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Rear-Br...72.m2749.l2649

This caliper is an exact bolt up match to what comes on the hawk and is pretty cheap. Also gets you generic brake pads that are the same as the rear:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Brake...72.m2749.l2649

For when the link dies:
"Front Brake Caliper for Suzuki RM125 RM250 RMX250 DR250 DR350 DR250SE DR350SE"

TxTaoRider · 03-22-2021, 11:02 AM

I'd be more interested in a front brake upgrade.

03-19-2021, 02:53 PM	#1
Skyd Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 242	Hawk brake upgrade - Just thinking Hey guys, So I'm waiting for my hawk to show up, but I'm hyper fixated on it already. HAHA So anyway while poking around the forums, gathering my list of immediate and future upgrades and modifications I got to thinking about brakes. I'm going to flush the system and fill with DOT4 fluid and run it. However, I see alot of squawking particularly about the rear brakes AND I've also seen/heard the pedal isn't very adjustable or comfortable for alot of people. My question is, has anyone tried swapping out the calipers or master cylinder/brake pedal assembly for something better? I actually had this "issue" with my DRZ400. The rear brake was ok, but I swapped it for a CRF450 setup and it made a world of difference. Just wondering if anyone has played around with something like that and what might match up.... I'm a firm believer that you should make your stuff stop better before you make it go faster. Thoughts? __________________ 2020 RPS Hawk 250 - Build thread can be found here: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=28374 "Do Wheelies and Forget your Feelies" "If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?" -unknown
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03-19-2021, 03:37 PM	#2
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,149	The Hawk rear brake is just about as powerful as the front. The only real complaint I have is the brake pedal itself not being shaped very well. I just haven't looked into replacing it. Instead, I took it off, heated and reshaped it by straightening it out to make the end further inboard and farther away from the peg. All that required was straightening it quite a bit. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 Last edited by Megadan; 03-19-2021 at 04:56 PM.
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03-19-2021, 04:44 PM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,851	Cleaning the brake rotors real good with brake cleaner to remove the protective oily film we help. Clean them before even riding the bike. __________________ 2025 Lifan KPT 400 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 (Sold) 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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03-19-2021, 05:38 PM	#4
TxTaoRider Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Flower Mound Texas Posts: 904	I swapped the brozz rear brake (single piston) onto my tbr7 (which was a dual piston like the hawk) when I did the swingarm conversion. At first it was noticeably weaker, but after it got bedded it works pretty good. I may put a hawk caliper on it later since it's a bolt on. __________________ 2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene"
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03-22-2021, 11:02 AM	#6
TxTaoRider Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Flower Mound Texas Posts: 904	I'd be more interested in a front brake upgrade. __________________ 2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene"
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03-22-2021, 10:05 AM	#5
thederrick106 Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 9	I just put all new brake components on the 2015 hawk i am rebuilding. I went with a similar master, braided brake lines, new hawk rear caliper (couldn't find a cheap suitable replacement) and they feel really strong in testing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Rear-Br...72.m2749.l2649 This caliper is an exact bolt up match to what comes on the hawk and is pretty cheap. Also gets you generic brake pads that are the same as the rear: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Brake...72.m2749.l2649 For when the link dies: "Front Brake Caliper for Suzuki RM125 RM250 RMX250 DR250 DR350 DR250SE DR350SE"
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