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Hi all,

Just bought my first Airhead - 1978 R80/7 with 50,000 miles - the previous owner had the bike 26 years and I have a stack of receipts and invoices to go through, I am after some assistance please regarding the front brake/disk - mine has twin disk which I don’t believe was standard on my model - could anyone identify what I have so as I can look at the parts needed. Thanks

Welcome! Maybe you'll find receipts for the previous owner where he added the other disk...a popular thing to do. You have a '78 R80/7...that's pretty much all you need along with the VIN to find parts that you might need. What specifically are you looking to do to the bike?

Kurt

Hi - yes will check the receipts - I intend to make the bike mechanically sound and probably repaint to the original colour which was black and ride it - for the brake side at the front just seating if anyone can identify which model the brakes came from as the photos I have seen of other bikes same year as mine seem to have only single disk

Nice! The brakes came from any twin disc Airhead from up to 1980. The calipers have either 38mm or 40mm pistons. If they're 40mm, they'll be stamped "40" in an obvious spot.

Is the master cylinder still under the gas tank or is it on the handlebar? Under the tank was as original, but many will use a more conventional handlebar master cylinder as an upgrade.

People talk about having to plan ahead when stopping with a single disc Airhead from the 1970s. I say, "I'm going for a ride this afternoon and I'm headed out to the garage now to let my /7 know where we'll need to stop!"

Those are called ATE brakes. My single ATE stops well enough for me. I would think that dual ATEs would stop even gooder! They require some adjustments to make sure the pad is fully contacting the rotor, plus ensuring that all air out of the lines is important.

Kurt

Hmm . I have a '79 R80/7 and it has twin discs on the front which I believe was standard. I have seen others of that vintage with twin discs on the front (here in Australia) including R65 . Mine was pretty original when I got it : It has a non ribbed snowflake. I have removed the UTT M/C




some other twin disc'd '78's

Interesting, - mine does have a master cylinder on the handle bar, it’s a UK supplied bike from the info on my logbook, mine looks exactly like like those photos ? - will check the back of the calliper for any numbers stamped. I have read a few articles about adjustment so when I get my new pads will follow them. Mine does look like original fit but who knows

Flyingspanner wrote: ↑Sat Nov 19, 2022 5:53 am Hi all,

Just bought my first Airhead - 1978 R80/7 with 50,000 miles - the previous owner had the bike 26 years and I have a stack of receipts and invoices to go through, I am after some assistance please regarding the front brake/disk - mine has twin disk which I don’t believe was standard on my model - could anyone identify what I have so as I can look at the parts needed. ThanksE1CB33B1-402F-4A04-9149-C6AA18D97406.jpegAAE15737-A965-4509-A387-2DC3AA94C1CD.jpeg

Hi, well snap I have the same bike same year and it is a UK model imported to New Zealand by the previous owner about 10 years ago, this one has 54000 miles on the clock and was a runner when it was given to me but leaked oil all over the place, these all fixed now.
As for the brakes as mine has twin disk set up but I have the master cylinder under the tank, i had to fully refurbish the calipers and the master cylinder, no big deal they are real easy to work on and spares are not too expensive as long as you stay away from OEM parts, the calipers and under tank master cylinder were made by ATE, no idea if this company still exists.

Have fun.