I have a 97 300 2X4 Honda fortrax. It's not had brakes since 98. They make a aftermarket front disk brake kit, but they say it only fits the 4X4 models. Would it be possible to change the front end off a 4X4 to my 2X4 if I can find one so I can put brakes on it? I don't want 4 wheel drive just brakes.

 

The drum front brakes on the 300 work fine. Adjusters tend to seize but can be freed off fairly easily. An almost identical set up is still fitted to the 250 Recon. Save yourself a lot of grief and sort out your drum brakes. The 4WD front end is totally different, even the steering column and lever is different on the 4WD and 2WD models.

 

I've spent hundreds of dollars over that last 20 years on brakes cables calipers and such and the first time you have to cross a stream or go through mud the brakes are trashed. It hasn't had reliable brakes since it was 6 weeks old and all the money I've spent on them has gone strait to the trash. If I spend another dime on brakes it will be so that I can spray them off when I get home. Even when the brakes worked the front was far too weak.

 

I mend Honda bikes for cockle pickers. Frames rusted through, electrics so badly corroded that the only things that work is ignition and charging, and the only way to start is to short across the solenoid. Most don't have brakes, but I have been quite surprised that the front drums continue to work for months, even a year on some of them before the salt water finally seizes something. If you are getting water in the drums, the drum seals are not doing their job. They do vary in how good they are, but those that let water in, also let it out (unlike the rear), so the fronts dry out and work fine again. When set up, the front brakes will lock the wheels from quite high speeds on any surface other than asphalt, you are not going to stop any quicker than that.

If you are determined to go for discs, the old 2WD 420 may be a source. One ball joint is different so you may have to swap A arms as well (if they will fit.)

 

My brakes were never that strong even when it was new. There must have been something wrong with mine from the start. I am in the water and mud a lot and it's not worth my time to have to pull the wheel and drum every time i ride. Maybe i'm just being picky. I have enough trouble finding time to ride without 30 minutes of maintenance after every ride.

 

By coincidence I was changing the rear axle and servicing a 2WD 420 yesterday, top A arm 6.5" wide, bottom A arm 12.1" wide, I think this is a lot wider than the 300, so looks like the A arms won't fit. Getting the 300 top arms bored out to fit 420 ball joints is a possibility.