Showa and Nissin Unite for Revolutionary Fork and Caliper Design
Showa and Nissin Redefine Brake Systems with Integrated Design
If the name Hitachi Astemo doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. The company operates at a higher tier, collaborating with brands like Nissin, Keihin, and Showa to develop cutting-edge products.
At the end of last year, two of these brands quietly unveiled an intriguing innovation at EICMA—a new integrated front fork and brake caliper system. This striking design from Showa and Nissin might have slipped under the radar, but its potential benefits are hard to ignore.
Traditionally, motorcycle front brake calipers have been radially mounted. This setup uses two posts extending from the bottom of the fork leg, with bolts securing the caliper to the posts. While this method has gone largely unchallenged for years, Hitachi Astemo believes it’s time for a rethink—and this new system could be the answer.
The system in question—the integrated fork and caliper—features the bottom of the fork leg and the brake caliper machined from a single billet. This innovative design offers several claimed advantages, primarily increased rigidity. By creating a much larger and more robust connection between the fork and the caliper, the system is said to deliver improved performance. Additionally, the design enhances cooling efficiency, with the larger amount of material facilitating better heat dissipation compared to traditional radial mounting.
According to its creators, the system reduces caliper heat by five percent and improves rigidity due to its solid, one-piece construction. Another notable benefit is a weight reduction of 200 grams compared to conventional radial-mount caliper setups.
While these advantages sound promising on paper, questions remain about the system's practicality, particularly when it comes to maintenance. With the caliper fixed in the same position as the front fork, it’s unclear how easy it will be to service or replace brake pads. Only time and real-world use will reveal whether the touted benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks in maintenance and usability.