Topic: Front brake setup

[kawi]

Hello,

I am putting the front brakes back on my '77 cb750k and am wondering if there is a way to eliminate the stop switch and hard line and put a steel line directly from the master cylinder to the caliper.  Has anyone done this or know of the correct fittings I'd need and what length line I'd need?  If the hard line needs to be there, what length steel line should I get to go directly to the master cylinder with no stop switch?

Also, here is the master cylinder I'm planning on getting, seems to be of decent quality and has a little bigger piston than stock.http://www.ebay.com/itm/80s-Style-Motorcycle-Brake-Master-Cylinder-For-Honda-45500-463-601-/351184219445

Any feedback is appreciated!

-Jake

[DaveBarbier]

Hey Jake,
First, if it were me I'd steer clear of the Chinese MCs. I've heard of the cheap Chinese one's leaking at the sight glass and such. Not something I'd try to save money on. I like Nissin. Also, you'll need a stop switch so you can try to get an MC that has one built in, or get one of those banjo bolt/stop switch deals. This is the one I currently have on my 550 and it's great: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=151593590459

Second, just be sure the larger piston won't make the brakes feel more sensitive. I've heard changing the piston size isn't really recommended. I don't know too much about this, though.

Third, by steel line I assume you mean stainless steel braided? Head on over to slingshot-cycles.com (they're currently away on vacation or something). They have all you'll need. Members to this forum get a discount. You can totally replace the hard line and go 100% braided. You can get lines specific to your bike and handlebar setup. Different colors too.


---
1978 Honda CB550K

[chewbacca5000]

type in banjo bolt switch.  It moves the switch from the joint under the lower tree to the master cylinder.  This will allow you to use a single brake line.  77 should have this switch built into the mc by default.  sounds like someone put an earlier wiring harness on there, or your bike is a 76 or earlier.

[scottly]

If you are using a single K7 front disc, the 5/8" MC is too large, IMHO. It will make for a stiff feel at the lever, requiring greater pressure on the lever to generate the same stopping force as the stock 14mm MC.
The K7 MC did not have the built-in switch, but the K8 did.

[chewbacca5000]

Thanks for the correction Scotty good to know.

[kawi]

The main reason I want the MC that I posted is because the line comes out of the front of the reservoir so it should clear the top of my forks(I have it lowered).  The stock MC hits the top of the forks and I would have to mount it facing upward, it is also leaking.  It looks like there is a place to screw in a banjo bolt stop switch on the MC that I posted, unless thats for something else?

I will have to think about getting a better MC with a 14mm piston. 

Is this the correct fitting that I will need to mount a steel braided line to the caliper?  The other end being a banjo bolt in the MC. 

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/100750/10002/-1?parentProductId=1149934

[flybox1]

I am running that same MC, with no issues on my dual disc setup.