Topic: cb550 caliper piston DIY

[Bru-tom]

hey guys, i am going to make one of these babies at work. searched for exact sizing etc and did micrometer measurements of my old one. OD is 38.1mm and 34mm deep.

now, are the OEM pistons hollow? looks like there is a cap on the side that pushes on the puck?

could i make mine hollow, how would this effect the operation besides making it lighter?

Bruce

[FunJimmy]

Bruce,

There was a member hear that used to sell phenolic pistons.
These phenolic pistons where made from automotive caliper pistons and where hollow.
I read in other threads that he has stopped making them, unfortunately.

[Bru-tom]

thanks mate!

yeah, its brown in colour, i saw one somewhere.

i dont see anything wrong with a SS one that i could make, not? i mean, its never going to corrode. i also want to seal it using 100% silicone that i read in another thread, preventing any moisture from entering.

wont the hollow bit cause issues with it not pressing equally on the surface of the puck?

i also found this plastic ring, whats it for? think it sat between piston and puck?

[FunJimmy]

wont the hollow bit cause issues with it not pressing equally on the surface of the puck?

Nope. Puck has a steel backing plate that will distribute the load.

i also found this plastic ring, whats it for? think it sat between piston and puck?

Vibration dampner

[andrewk]

Bruce,

There was a member hear that used to sell phenolic pistons.
These phenolic pistons where made from automotive caliper pistons and where hollow.
I read in other threads that he has stopped making them, unfortunately.

  Godffery's site is still up... http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/album185/  I hope he's still making stuff... I've got projects!

[Bru-tom]

wont the hollow bit cause issues with it not pressing equally on the surface of the puck?

Nope. Puck has a steel backing plate that will distribute the load.

i also found this plastic ring, whats it for? think it sat between piston and puck?

Vibration dampner

that is awesome to hear! lightweight here we come! 

i thought it could be something like that. if i make a hollow piston, will the vibration damper still fit?

Bruce,

There was a member hear that used to sell phenolic pistons.
These phenolic pistons where made from automotive caliper pistons and where hollow.
I read in other threads that he has stopped making them, unfortunately.

  Godffery's site is still up... http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/album185/  I hope he's still making stuff... I've got projects!

thanks bud, will have a looks see

[flybox1]

Godffery's Garage sells the phenolic pistons and anti-squeal pads... 

http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/album185/


andrewk beat me to it.    just talked Godffery last week   

[Bru-tom]

there are no prices mate?

what dont you need to use the vibration damper anymore?

[flybox1]

there are no prices mate?
http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/album185/PHENOLIC+Replacement+brake+Caliper+piston/
what dont you need to use the vibration damper anymore?
NO 

[Bru-tom]

oops

whats wrong with making my own with stainless? i mean, i have the time at work and material will only cost $4 for 316 grade surgical stainless steel?

with the vibration damper not being used, is the overall length that much longer? did he re-coat the ends after modifying?

[flybox1]

weight is the biggest difference. 

[Bru-tom]

i can machine it so that its hollow too, making it considerably lighter. i just want to know if im not wasting my time trying to make

i forgot to add perhaps, that i am from South Africa and it will cost double that to land it here...

[andrewk]

Nothing wrong in machining your own if you can!

[Bru-tom]

im sure i can. i have made ball-joint extenders for my vw mk1 before, from V155 steel. came out nice, its blemmin strong stuff and tough to machine! they were a combo of lathe work in 4 jaw chuck and milling...all manual 



also i made an oil catch can, cant show you the internals, but there are 5 chambers all made from a sheet of 2mm 316 SS  except the downtube, the input and output flanges were both machined from billet.

[fmctm1sw]

i can machine it so that its hollow too, making it considerably lighter. i just want to know if im not wasting my time trying to make

i forgot to add perhaps, that i am from South Africa and it will cost double that to land it here...

There was a guy here who went by Kevin400F that made them but I think he moved to Africa a while back.  His were hollow, at least the one for my 350F was.  I remember putting it in backwards and having to call him.  *dunce*

[bjbuchanan]

You can make it hollow that is perfectly fine. Basically just copy the original with that puck. The original is already hollow anyway. If its so strong then it can be thinner thus lighter, go for it

[Bru-tom]

thank you for that. i really dont see why i cant  make one. just curious about the vibration damper. i mean, the metal used in the phenolic one cant possibly have built-in vibration damper allowing you to run without one, could it? il make a plan i guess, no harm in trying

[Bru-tom]

You can make it hollow that is perfectly fine. Basically just copy the original with that puck. The original is already hollow anyway. If its so strong then it can be thinner thus lighter, go for it

the original is hollow besides that steel cover that always rusts. the puck you referring to is the brake pad right?

[fmctm1sw]

thank you for that. i really dont see why i cant  make one. just curious about the vibration damper. i mean, the metal used in the phenolic one cant possibly have built-in vibration damper allowing you to run without one, could it? il make a plan i guess, no harm in trying

When Kevin was making them, he made the piston long enough to eliminate that washer/damper thing.  I never noticed mine doing anything different than when the OEM piston was in there.

[Bru-tom]

When Kevin was making them, he made the piston long enough to eliminate that washer/damper thing.  I never noticed mine doing anything different than when the OEM piston was in there.

thats the answer iv been looking for! many thanks

[flybox1]

i can machine it so that its hollow too, making it considerably lighter. i just want to know if im not wasting my time trying to make

i forgot to add perhaps, that i am from South Africa and it will cost double that to land it here...

There was a guy here who went by Kevin400F that made them but I think he moved to Africa a while back.  His were hollow, at least the one for my 350F was.  I remember putting it in backwards and having to call him.  *dunce*

Kevin makes the pistons for Godfferys Garage 
right from Godferry's site "The guy that makes these (Kevin) has one of these in his personal CB400F street bike as well as a CB350F/CB400F hybrid road race track bike, and they perform superbly. and has sold hundreds of these over the course of several years, and has not had a single complaint or concern raised."