Note that I have found that the 2000 M900ie brakes to be superb as delivered. Asking around in the industry, I've learned that people believe the newer "twin pin" calipers fitted to `98 and newer Ducatis to be stiffer than the older, single pin ones.
- My first brake mod was to try aftermarket brake pads with all else stock. Galfer racing pads were first. They stop amazingly well, but leave quite a bit of brake dust on the wheels. DunlopPad has big claims but there was a lot of unethical practices with advertising and Roadracing World pretty much said they're crap. So, I just said what the heck and next tried the EBC green stuff pads, and they have the same absolute power as the Galfer's with a lighter initial bite, which I find better suited for street use.
EBC FA-95HH Brake Pads WOW! These pads rule... They have great linear feel, coming on light initially with very extreme ultimate power. They do get a bit hot... they roasted my DOT4 brake fluid, forcing me to switch to DOT5. They also don't lay dust down on the wheels.
Pads summary: Galfer Green pads, hella expensive, extremely high initial bite (too high for the street), great ultimate stopping power, much dust. EBC Green Stuff's: Better initial bite (softer) than the Galfers, but more than the HH's, too much dust. EBC HH pads are strongly recommended for stainless steel rotors on all non-SP Ducatis! I later discovered that Ferodo pads are the best for cast iron rotors on the SPs and from aftermarket kits.
- Stainless braided hoses The Earl's lines certainly helped out the Galfer pads, but I do see a little seepage from the screw together fittings, however brake performance hasn't deteriorated. Perhaps the outlet that put together these Earl's lines didn't tighten down hard enough on them.
Braided brake lines are good, much better than stock. The Earl's look hokey when next to the nicely finished Goodrich or Galfer lines. The thing to do is shorten one of the lines so it would wrap over the fender between the calipers. The fittings also look pretty good.
Note in the pic to the right that I run a single line from the master cylinder to the right caliper (where the stock double banjo bolt from the master cylinder now is) and then run the second line over the fender to the left caliper. This really cleans up the cockpit. The arrows point to the double banjo on the right caliper, the safety wire securing the brake pad retaining pin, and the faux Race Tech suspension on the shop cart.
- Galfer braided hoses This is the ultimate solution! A "tee" fitting reduces complexity, while the caliper fittings rotate to ease installation and service. I greatly appreciate elegant and simple solutions. The single, heat shrink covered line runs from the master cylinder to the "tee." The brake hose then screws directly into each caliper. Use the "top" fitting in the caliper. On SS's, you'll find that this is where the bleeder is fitted. Take it out and move it to the other hole, where the banjo used to go. These hoses are stock replacemets for the Superbikes, but are killer for the SSs. Available at Cycleworks.
Braided hose summary They're all good. Get hoses that have heat shrink coating so they won't saw through things. I like the single hose from the master cylinder to minimize clutter. There are kevlar lines on the market. They're OK, too.
- Get a master cylinder!!! The ZX6 master cylinder from a salvaged `93 D model works great as a replacement for the stock CR (and older SS) unit. I ran it with it's Kawasaki banjo bolt at the master cylinder, using a single brake line from the master cyl to the right caliper, where I relocated the Brembo dual banjo bolt (which is a different pitch than the Kawi unit) and then ran the second brake line over to the left caliper. This single to dual line setup is used in the newer Suzuki GSXR's, where I got the idea from. You'll need to notch the bottom of the bar clamp so it'll clear the clip-on support. This exact unit is now serving on Zina's CR.
Nissin ZX7R/CBR900 Master Cylinder. I got kinda pissed when a few hot laps up and down Palomar Mountain rendered my brakes nearly useless, so I threw on the ZX7R master clyinder from a `97 model with 6 piston calipers. Almost no lever travel and insane braking power. I'm happy. The Kawi remote reservoir unit does not come with a reservoir mount, so I mounted the reservoir to the top pinch bolt of the master cyl, using a longer bolt and a collar to space the reservoir off the mounting clamp. It works and doesn't look corny. Or get a CBR900RR master cylinder as it has its own support for the reservoir. This, too uses a 10x1.25 pitch banjo bolt as opposed to the stock Brembo/Ducati 10x1.0.
Nissin master cylinders that are similar to the CBR900RR one are available from Cycleworks for $159. Read about the kit. Banjo: 10x1.25
- I was told to buy some Ferodo "Brake Tech" ductile cast iron full floating rotors. With the Ferodo pads, they are simply incredible. Truly inspiring braking ability. Now that I have the 916, I bought some Brembo cast iron rotors (for both sets of its wheels) and the Ferodo rotors are making Zina very happy. I wish I had purchased the Ferodo rotors rather than the Brembo stuff. She loves strong brakes and really appreciates cast iron. These rotors are pictured on the black 900SS on the previous page.
