Topic: What to use for a master cylinder/lever combo?

[cbass*gxc]

What are some of the master cylinder/ lever combos has anyone used for their bike?  I am wanting to replace mine and was wondering if you could use any just about any of them or does it have to be a certain kind?  Anyone know the diameter of the factory handle bars?

if I were to use this combo how would I go about or can I, take out the  engine shut off switch?  Also what would I do for a start button?

[FunJimmy]

I used a Buell master cylinder, a Kawasaki Z1000 clutch lever, Honda RC51 throttle and RC51 starter switch unit on mine and it all works great. You could use the Buell clutch lever as well as it also has a mirror mount as does the Buell master cylinder. Oh, I purchased a dual sport signal/horn switch unit off feebay for my signals.

Bars are 7/8" diam.

[UnCrash]

Great post.

I'm on the lookout for an alternative for my 78 750F's grips / mc / throttle as well.

Please keep this thread updated with any choices you make.\

I used a Buell master cylinder, a Kawasaki Z1000 clutch lever, Honda RC51 throttle and RC51 starter switch unit on mine and it all works great. You could use the Buell clutch lever as well as it also has a mirror mount as does the Buell master cylinder. Oh, I purchased a dual sport signal/horn switch unit off feebay for my signals.

Great info!

[754]

The master you have in the pic is HD ..82 and up.. The throttle is 70,s style and later..both of those fit 1 inch bars.

Hondas have 7/8 inch bars.

[cbass*gxc]

Ya that is what i found out.  Sucks because I really like the way these look and the throttle was only at .99 with $7 shipping.  I am going to keep my eye out and see what I can come up with.  754 are most of the japanese bikes 7/8?  A guy from chopper underground said he used some off a yz250 but i am pretty sure that any yz model with 2 cables would work.  I am going to do some research tomorrow and see what I can come up with.   

[johnny]

Take a look at some of the items on this page:
http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-chassis.php?category_id=1.4

[cbass*gxc]

I found these.  Do not know how good they are but for the $7.95 shipping and the auctions at $.99, it may be worth a try just to see how they are.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ASV-Clutch-Lever-C5-Series-Universal-Refurb-CLM01-K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ10066QQihZ014QQitemZ330195128833

I think I may order one of these and see how they are.  I figured this with that black or chrome switches from your link Johnny and I should be set, because I really want to keep everything but the horn, which I may add later.

[Z_Stingray]

Anyway to switch the bars over to 1"?  Perhaps a one inch bar w/ a 7/8" reduction for the riser clamps.

If we can get these bars up to 1" a whole world of options would open up for mods for levers, controls, switches, etc.

[cbass*gxc]

Ya someone mentioned to me about just putting 1" bars on it which I may do, but I am not sure how much work or what I need to do it would be.

[cbass*gxc]

Is this the barnetts you were talking about?   http://www.barnettclutches.com   They make the throttle controls for 7/8 bars and 1" bars.  I may try the levers I posted earlier with one of the barnett throttle controls.  #$%* I dont know!!!! I am trying to figure out too many things all at once.  I guess I should focus on getting the motor and frame in working order before I start with this stuff.  I will keep my findings posted.

[cben750f0]

i just used a vtr1000f master..... it was layin round:P


peace

[MoTo-BunnY]

(copy/paste from old posts I have made a few times now - since this keeps coming up)

I replaced my old stock master cylinder with one of these eBay units - just like the one starting this thread. It was one of the single best improvements I have done yet - BIG improvement in braking.








If you want to upgrade your master cylinder to one that will support one OR two discs (and REALLY improve your braking), you can get this style off of feeBay:






This is apparently a very close copy (and a very good one, at that) of the Nissin master cylinder? (it could even be made by them but there isn't any manufacturer markings anywhere on either of the ones I bought) This company sells them and I have bought and installed two of them on two different bikes ('73 CB500 & '79 CB750K) with fantastic results: The style I used were 14mm piston - works great for our Hondas - the stock brake hose and mirror even fits the threads - and the brake switch hooks right up if you extend the wires and change the wiring connectors)

usa-motorcycles-inc

However, they seem to be running fewer of these at auction than they used to and are jacking up the price. (I bought both of mine at $39.95 each - now the same style is $49.95+)

You don't have to be particular with what brands they post in the title as long as its the 14mm piston model and it looks like this picture. .  .they are all the same. I have noticed bidding wars over $80.00 on one that says "VTX" or Shadow or something while the exact same part in a different auction goes for beginning bid ($49.99) . . . . lol.

[dhinch279]

This is a good thread and I will go ahead and bring it back up in case there is someone who is interested.

I am using a master cylinder off of a Kawasaki kz900/1000, it is one I had laying around, and it just so happened to fit up without a problem. I have pics that I will put on here as soon as I can find them.

[moham]

Here's the MC I just got from Vintage Brake.com Haven't hooked it up yet. Got this with the Ferrodo Platinum pads for up front.

[vames]

Moto Bunny -- when/if you go to order a lever for that master cylinder, do you know what to order. I have something that the PO put on that looks very similar, but I don't know what lever to order and the bike shops near me are useless unless you give them a year/model bike.

[MoTo-BunnY]

Moto Bunny -- when/if you go to order a lever for that master cylinder, do you know what to order. I have something that the PO put on that looks very similar, but I don't know what lever to order and the bike shops near me are useless unless you give them a year/model bike.

Maybe contact USA Motorcycles (the seller on eBay) and ask them if they have or know where to get replacements? They seem to use just a few models of master cylinder to cover dozens of different bikes so they are pretty standardized and surely must have some kind of replacement available?

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/usa-motorcycles-inc/

The only other thing I can think of is to check a local used motorcycle parts yard and see if they can match up your (I assume bent) lever off with one in their supply.

These master cylinders also seem to be either a direct copy of or manufactured by Nissin so it might help to look at other Nissin master cylinders (found on a wide variety of bikes).

good luck - hope you can find it!

[vames]

If anybody ever digs this up and can use the information, the part number for the clutch lever I was looking for was Honda part# 53175-MR-671.

[vames]

Um..that picture is clearly not the shiny new replacement that BikeBandit sent me.

[coyotecowboy]

Hey moham, what size master cylinder did Vintage Brake recommend?

[moham]

Hey moham, what size master cylinder did Vintage Brake recommend?

according to their chart and to Michael at Vintage, a 10 or 11mm mc is recommended. The Brembo I pictured above is an 11. I'm waiting on one fitting and an ss line and  can finish install. I'll post another pic when it's done early next week. They stock the brembo and another generic mc in those sizes. If you talk to Michael, he'll be happy to work with whatever setup you want to run, real cool guy... 

[moham]

Hey moham, what size master cylinder did Vintage Brake recommend?

according to their chart and to Michael at Vintage, a 10 or 11mm mc is recommended. The Brembo I pictured above is an 11. I'm waiting on one fitting and an ss line and  can finish install. I'll post another pic when it's done early next week. They stock the brembo and another generic mc in those sizes. If you talk to Michael, he'll be happy to work with whatever setup you want to run, real cool guy... 

to be clear, that recommendation is for the stock, single calipers for 550/750. I don't know about other setups. 

[Beans]

ive wanted to improve my braking and also get rid of the ugly stock master.   Im glad I found this post.

[MoTo-BunnY]

The MC I used in the above pictures is 14mm and works great for my present single disc setup although it specifically says in the listing that it is good for both single and dual disc setups (of which I will eventually do).

It is a very firm feeling brake and I don't even have braided lines, yet. I can't wait to do the dual disc setup with braided lines, next.

[moham]

Here's a link to the vintage brake mc chart, very informative...

http://www.vintagebrake.com/mastercylinder.htm

[MoTo-BunnY]

kewl.  . .that looks interesting and will be promptly copy/pasted into my large tech tips folder. . .. thanks!