TrialsRiderFull Floating Brake System:
…not to be confused with what some now market as a ‘full floating disk brake rotor’.
Decades ago dirt bikes featured an innovation called a “full floating brake system”, it was a super simple design feature where the brake drum backing plate that is normally anchored directly to the swingarm by a post or short rod, is instead anchored to the frame by a long rod with near equal length to the swingarm. The advantage was under heavy braking on rough or washboard road surfaces, the wheel is far less prone to ‘wheel hop’ and chatter while the swingarm is moving through it’s travel on the bumps. This is such a simple design change it is puzzling that it didn’t find it’s way onto all motorcycle rear brake systems that followed, except for the fact it is less visually attractive and most public roads are considered smooth. Look at circa 1978 Suzuki RM400 or Yamaha motocrosser and enduro pictures for examples of the full floating brake arm system.
