Fl250 brake caliper question

[hummerman24]

Ok so i have no idea if this thread is still active but in the event it is, i have an fl250 that has been slightly modified by a previous owner. The back brake caliper looks similar if not the same as the original part, (it may be original) but it is hydraulic meaning it has an external master cylinder ect. My question is how do these brakes work (internally) and would it have been possible to convert a mechanical brake to hydraulic. I want to convert it back to mechanical if this is the case because the master cylinder is shot and i already have the mechanical brake line. Any useful help is appreciated.

 

[rcarteraz07]

Once Bighead sees this I'm sure you will have an answer. He's the Ody expert here lol.

 

[OzFab]

Short answer: no. You can't convert mechanical to hydraulic or vice versa.

Mechanical brakes usually work by pulling a lever to apply pressure to the brake linings. There's different types (drum, disc, band) so they all work differently but all use the same principle.
Hydraulic brakes work by pushing a piston in the master cylinder & forcing fluid through a line from the master cylinder to the caliper (in your case) that pushes a piston which then applies pressure to the linings.

That's the basics but, in case you missed it, they're completely opposite: mechanical uses pulling pressure where hydraulic uses pushing pressure.

Combining the two is possible: use a mechanical lever & cable to activate a hydraulic master cylinder through a linkage:
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14613
See post #11

As for what's standard for an ody; see previous post

 

[bighead]

You do not really need hydro brakes with the odyssey. The Ody mechanical brake rotor is on the 9 to1 reduction unit. This reduction multiplies the force making the machincal brakes would very good.

I have the parts for sale to put it all back to ody original if you like.

Best to post pics so we can check it out.

With all my ody's I can go full speed about 45 to 50 and lock the brakes up to full skid on pavement
with slight finger pull. The brakes being on the reduction unit is the key. This is why you see little tiny calipers on the older big heavy sleds. If Honda put the brakes on the axle there mechical brakes would not work. There are other forces at play thru the reduction unit.

First thing you need to do is post some pics. Then check the trans/reduction unit for any broken caliper mounting boss. I cannot think why a person would change it unless that boss is broke.

You saying they converted the ody mechanical brake to hydro? Are you sure? The ody mechaical brake arm is inside the caliper. But you said it has a master so who knows. Post some pics though.