Topic: CB500 Brake Refurb

[jkminer]

I wasn't able to find a lot of info on CB500 brakes that didn't have to do with an upgrade to a dual caliper CB550 setup. I'm not ready to go that far yet but after sitting for about a year and a half the brakes need some love.

So about 6 years ago I got the bike(CB500 k0) on the road after being in a barn since the early 80's. One of the many tasks that needed done was the brakes. The fluid in the master cylinder and lines had turned solid, I had never seen anything like it before...

So I cleaned and rebuilt the M/C, the caliper, replaced the lines and went riding. (after fixing an ton of other things).

Long story, I got new job that required me to drive all over the metro area and work far too many hours so she hadn't been ridden in nearly two years. Last weekend I finished cleaning the carbs and tank and she runs great. The breaks now feel what I would call 'woody' -hard to press and definitely decreased stopping capacity. While they were never great, they were downright bad now.

So I've ordered new fork seals, ebc pads and shoes, all balls wheel bearings, caliper seal, and a new gl1100 master cylinder. I figured with all the gunk that was in the original mc I would go with a known good unit that doesn't distract much from the bike and won't look too out of place. I also plan on drilling the rotor this time around as well.

I'm still waiting for parts to arrive but later this week I should start tearing it apart and working on it.  I'll try to update the thread and provide feedback on it.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

When you originally rebuilt the MC, how extensive was your rebuild?

The newer, larger GL MC should be an improvement in terms of moving brake fluid.  The stock calipers feel wooden compared to modern calipers because they are fairly small single piston brakes, so I'm not certain what you are using as a point of reference. 

Drilling the rotor, new pads or scuffed pads, resurfacing the glaze off the rotor, and installing stainless steel braided lines will also improve braking performance.  A newer caliper will help, too, but that would require much more work.

[jkminer]

That's all right along with my plans from what I've read here.  On the original caliper I cleaned it thoroughly a couple times then new seals, plunger, spring, etc. 

I know it will never reel like a new bike, I'm comparing it to a reasonably functioning stock setup I was running a couple years ago.  Most of my riding experience has been drum brake eduros from the early 70's so I don't have unattainable expectations...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That's a more reasonable benchmark.  I got used to riding modern sportbikes, so now I'm a brake-mod junkie.

[jkminer]

Yeah, I've ridden newer bikes and they are night and day brake wise, same a cars.  I've got a 62 jeep cj6 that I rebuilt that had stock 9" drums all around, that was scary to stop before an upgrade 

I first went down the rabbit hole of major upgrades, then I realized I didn't want to spend that much money or time... I want to ride this spring and not have her down until July.