caliper rebuild

[Track T 2411]

I purchased my 1100 brake lines from Apex Brakes. IIRC, they don't list kits for the GL's, but all you need to do is use the 'contact us' option and they'll send you info and how to order. I think the set (4 lines) and banjo bolts and crush washers was about $125

[bagger13]

Rebuilt the calipers and have new brake lines to install next, my question is should I remove the reservoir cup on the master cylinder spray some brake cleaner in it and clean it before I put the new brake lines on and bleed the brakes ?

[Sidecar Bob]

Why would you rebuild the calipers and not the master cylinder?

I'd be shopping for one of the master cylinders that sell for about the same price as a rebuild kit.

[pidjones]

At a minimum clean it and use a guitar string (High E) to open the return hole. Reassemble everything using brake fluid to lubricate the parts. If you can get the reservoir off, you probably will need to replace the o-ring between it and the body (which doesn't come in most kits).

[PDub]

Just take a bleeder down to NAPA and ask for a grease fitting the same thread size. I think it is 6mm but not sure. The banjo is a fine thread, but ACE hardware has bolts that fit (I now have spares that some bozo used in place of banjo bolts in my latest project). I've used the grease gun on about a half-dozen calipers so far with 100% success. Messy? Yes, but so is brake fluid and the grease doesn't squirt all over when the piston comes out. And, it is nice and controlled unlike the exciting compressed air method. Sure, you have to clean up - but you have to clean it anyway. I scoop out the majority with paper towels and leave the caliper soaking in kerosene over night. Next morning a quick brush-off with parts cleaner brush, spray off with brake cleaner, pick out any remaining rubber and start the real cleaning of hardened brake fluid and oxidized aluminum. Very light cleaning can be done with aluminum foil and brake cleaner. Real bad (seems like most I get have been setting 10-20 years) requires brass brush in Dremel or even the tool I made with 90 degree bend and filed down blade for getting real bad deposits out of the square ring groove. Make sure everything is lubricated with new clean fluid for reassembly. I hate working on brakes, but it is a necessary job on old bikes that have been neglected/left derelict.

I love ACE Hardware! I paid $1.69 there for a grease fitting to replace the bleeder. I've used the grease gun trick several times now. Even if the cup doesn't release at first, you can leave it under pressure and it seems the grease will slowly creep to help break it free.

[bagger13]

Now Im debating to rebuild the front master cylinder or bite the bullet and order Randakks upgraded master cylinder. Anyone have any experience with using one? I'm used to the stopping power of my gl1800 F6b. Suggestions?

[CYBORG]

I have used one, and found it much better then the stock