Brake upgrade? Recipe? Parts list?

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Don R
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Brake upgrade? Recipe? Parts list?

#1

Post by Don R »

On my 79 gl1000 I used an ebay 14mm master cylinder, stainless brake lines and EBC organic Kevlar pads. It seemed to stop really well, if a little stinky in an 80 mph panic stop practice. I liked the lever feel and travel. I did have qualms about the M/C being so cheap. Stock M/C in the rear and the same style pads. Before I replicate the same parts on my 78 any suggestions?
Last edited by Don R on Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
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tomk1960
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#2

Post by tomk1960 »

You should read my thread regarding the dual piston caliper upgrade: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=66025

This upgrade, along with the master cylinder, SS lines, and EBC pads you mentioned will give you excellent front brakes. The calipers are readily available through various sources, but the caliper hangers aren't quite as easy to find. I can help you with either or both if you want to take this route.

Tom
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stretch160
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#3

Post by stretch160 »

I recently changed from EBC organic (which had only about 1,000 miles on them) to an off brand HH sintered, and noticed improved stopping power even before fully bedded.
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Jonesz
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#4

Post by Jonesz »

I too am looking for a front MC for my 78. Have to do something as the reservoir on my bike is badly deteriorated. You didn't post a link but got me thinking so shopped on Ebay. Are you referring to a MC that can be bought for as low as 15 to 25 Bux? They actually look very sleak compared to stock and would be a nice addition if they work well. Wondering which one you bought and which braided lines you used. Thanx for any additional info.
Jonesz

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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#5

Post by Rat »

Apex Brakes for stainless lines ....

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Don R
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#6

Post by Don R »

I bought Goodrich fittings and lines from a speed shop, front only. And yes it was the $18 or so 14mm master. It came with a rebuild kit and a black lever that I didn't like. I think it had mismatched levers when I sold it. I really would have been ahead to part that 79 bike out to rebuild this 78. It was mostly gone through.
Thanks tomk. I somehow didn't find that thread, although I remember seeing it.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
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pidjones
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#7

Post by pidjones »

Love the Goodridge system. Used that for the upper line on my '78 and wish I had it on the lower two also. Not inexpensive but truly custom, and very small lines. TomK, where can hangers be located? I have a set of calipers but t hey only came with one hanger and that for a CB750C.
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#8

Post by tlbranth »

I bought the ebay M/C about a year ago and it's working fine. I was hesitant because it is ......Chinese....But I'm pretty happy with it. Comes with a rebuild kit too. The original is just plain nasty looking and the rebuild kit is expensive so I thought I'd give it a try. Works great. Of course, when it fails, I'll be wrapped around a tree with shards of hardened, but tempered, yak dung imbedded in my lifeless, overweight body and won't be able to give a negative review.
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#9

Post by pidjones »

I have both front and rear Chinese masters on a CB750F. Both were improperly assembled and filthy inside. After cleaning, assembling properly, and correcting a misd-drilled hole on the rear that caused leakage, they both work just fine. So, disassemble, clean, and properly assemble before mounting and priming.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
low-side
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#10

Post by low-side »

A lot of folks prefer the 14mm master; I prefer the 16mm myself. 14mm is less effort and greater travel while 16mm is greater effort with less travel. Either one combined with quality stainless lines, dual piston calipers and pads that match your riding style are the best formula for these bikes IMO. I ride the Wing pretty conservatively so I use Kevlar organic pads on it. I ride my cafes like I stole them, so my pads get hot enough to make use of sintered pads on it.
Don R
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#11

Post by Don R »

I ordered 2 sets of the EBC organic pads, I remember having one set left over from the 79 but I can't remember where I put them on this bike. I didn't know if it was a keeper for a while so I didn't spend much on the brakes when I did them. Now that I've rebuilt most of the usual problem parts I realize I've neglected the brakes. I did a hard stop test and wasn't impressed, I'm usually the poster boy for brake maintenance and stopping practice.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#12

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I have been using China/eBay master cylinders on both of my bikes for a while. The problem is that some are junk and others are great and you can't tell from the pics, description or price. The first ones I bought were bad and the one I had on Eccles developed problems before I got around to installing the other one on Mr.H. The ones I have now were bought from a seller that someone more knowledgeable had recommended and work fine. Note that the sight glass on the one that I started using first started to crackle last year so I replaced it with the glass from the unused crappy master cylinder. These sight glasses are not expensive so I ordered a few and plan to replace them whenever I change the brake fluid in the future.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
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Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
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Don R
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#13

Post by Don R »

Good to know thanks.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#14

Post by low-side »

Don- I just did the dual piston caliper conversion and it is night and day on stopping power. Stock master, stainless lines, EBC Kevlar organic pads, and dual piston calipers. I found myself only using the front brake on my test ride; something I do on most bikes but have never done on the wing.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Brake formula? Recipe? Parts list?

#15

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Unless you make each change individually its hard to say how much difference any of the changes made (not that I wouldn't have done it all at once too).

BTW: Mr.H has always had 2 piston calipers and stainless braided lines but for the first decade or so it had the original front calipers from the stock linked setup connected to a GL1000 master. I thought it had pretty decent brakes (except that the pads on the side with smaller pistons wore out sooner) until I changed to a pair of matching calipers and found out how good its front brake could be :orange
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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