Topic: master cylinder rebuild

[carl550k]

  picked up a used one on e-bay for my 76 550k, only to find it also leaks in the same spot.(at the lever bolt). should have spent the money on a rebuild kit.now i have two,so here i have the original, where do i start to take it apart? i know there is a circlip in there, but how far down?do the rebuild kits come with some basic instructions? or am i better off trying to find a used master cylinder that doesnt leak? thanx carl

[anubiscycle]

Rebuilding these is not all that hard. You will need a decent set of internal snap ring pliers to get the clip. Your kit should come with a boot, make sure of this. Some have it, and some don't. It should take you about 1 hour to rebuild it with a kit. You have to remove the internal snap ring first.

1. Remove lever from assembly
2. remove snap ring (in the bore behind the lever)
3. slide out the guts
4. clean and re assemble with new parts
5. test master and ride like a crazy person 

[burmashave]

AC is right, the rebuild kits are cheap, and I think you'd be much better off rebuilding one and then knowing it's sound inside.  My rebuild kit came with just the parts in the bag -- no instructions, but you just need to slide the new parts in the same order the old ones came out.

You might also want to check out these threads about getting the snap ring out.

Master Cylinder Circlip Woes
circlip pliers for front master cylinder?

Most snap ring pliers don't have the reach to get the circlip out.  The second thread has links to pliers that should work, if you're buying for the job, or you can use the other methods listed in thread.  Some get them out quickly, and for others it takes a while.  I felll somewhere in between.  Also, it'd be a good idea to coat the parts with brake fluide before you pop them back in.

Lastly, many members have recommended Speed Bleeder fittings to save the trouble when bleeding the brakes.  They aren't too expensive, and we've compiled a fitment list in the FAQ if you are interested.  I think they work like a charm.

[carl550k]

 the reason i ask is ,i asked the e-bay seller if instructions were included and his reply was if i need directions it should be left to an experianced mechanic. funny, most experianced mechanics at local honda dealerships are younger than my bike, and just as clueless about my 30 year old bike.

[anubiscycle]

the reason i ask is ,i asked the e-bay seller if instructions were included and his reply was if i need directions it should be left to an experianced mechanic. funny, most experianced mechanics at local honda dealerships are younger than my bike, and just as clueless about my 30 year old bike.

Get a book, the hayes manual does a pretty good job at explaining how to do it. Pretty easy really. I struggled on the first one. The future ones were better.

[burmashave]

the reason i ask is ,i asked the e-bay seller if instructions were included and his reply was if i need directions it should be left to an experianced mechanic. funny, most experianced mechanics at local honda dealerships are younger than my bike, and just as clueless about my 30 year old bike.

Get a book, the hayes manual does a pretty good job at explaining how to do it. Pretty easy really. I struggled on the first one. The future ones were better.

Actually, if the ebay seller were right, this forum would not exist.  It's not really a difficult job.  The Clymer manual is good as well.

[puppytrax]

Is that "rebuild kit" a Honda kit??? I ask because if it is a Keyster kit, it may also be missing some components...   

[wardmoto]

Damn the cursed circlip to hell and sell both of them on ebay....if originality is not a concern get a 90's CBR mc on ebay....if it is a concern, get rid of the kids and wife and curse like a sailor....when you fail, drink heavily and reference the aforementioned sentence.

[carl550k]

 i already have the clymer manual. think i'll dig in. if things look bad i'll take the advise and sell on e-bay as i'm not really worried about things being original. my bike has clubmans which put the master at a harsh angle anyways.