By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

One of the things I saw at Humphrey was that the new Max's have disc brakes rather than the band brake on the front axle. As far as I'm concerned the band brake is all but worthless. I have cleaned it, adjusted it, and every other thing I can think of but its no good. I understand the disc brakes are a big improvement and you can actually lock them. RI's parts man said it was about $500 for the parts and a lot of labor to retrofit them. I don't mind the work but $500 seems steep. Has anyone done this? Can anyone comment on how well the disc brakes work in the real world? With the band the best I can hope for is a slow creep on a steep grade by applying all the force I can muster on the pedal. I would like to see an exploded diagram of the disc brake setup to determine what is really necessary.
Tim

By Gary Harper (Garyinvt) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tim
I don't have the Max but I do remember that there was an Attex that had disc brakes on the front axles. I have used hydraulic disk brakes for go-cart on a number of projects and liked them a lot. They are easy to work with and design around.
Kart world sells a kit for about $150 that has one disk/caliper/master cyl and hose w/fittings as wellas all the individual parts. So I would say that you should be able to make it work from there.

By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks Gary. That might be an option too. Does Kart World have a web site? Anyone know if the Max disk brake is hydraulic?
Tim

By mike s. on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tim-I checked out the disk brake system on a Max4 today, a 1999 model. It uses springs and a cable to connect both sides. The disk rides on the same collar as the sproket in the front. I am thinking about putting the new front collars on mine, then using a hydraulic system from a motorcycle with the lever on the left stick so i can feather it if i have to while backing down. the brake system was better than the bands on my max4, but not as good as i think it could be.

By Ernie Savinsky (Lucky45) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tim:

I used the brakes instead of the stick or engine braking on some of those hills they work factory disc's when not covered with oil from bottom of machine.
Ernie

By garyinvt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I think the web site is kartworld.com, if i remember it was still in the works the last time I checked.

By JT Barleman (Namelrab) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tim;
That was my Attex with the disk brakes mounted on the FRONT axle. Soon as my camera comes back from a wedding and honeymoon ... will take some digital photos and send them to you.
JT

By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

That would be great JT. I found a couple old motorcycle cable operated calipers that I am considering. I would love to see some other ideas though.
Tim

By E L McKenney on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I have a used max, not certain of vintage and it has parking brake calipers mounted on the middle axle, I would be interested in seeing a picture of how they were set up