Topic: Want to up grade CB500 braking

[brett_bike]

So as the title indicates, I want to upgrade the brakes on my '73 CB500.  I'm sort of on a budget so I can't afford to do the whole dual disc conversion, so I wanted to at least get a SS line and maybe more modern MC.  I think I remember hearing that I can use a GL1000 MC, does anyone know if this is true?  I searched around but couldn't find anything in the fact section.

Also, anybody who has done either a dual disc conversion or upgraded items I mentioned, what was the cost?  Maybe I just assume the dual disc conversion will cost too much. 

[HavocTurbo]

I'm sure I'll get harrassed for saying this....

Any 93-95 GSXR master cylinder will fit our lines. And if you are switching to stainless all the better as you can get all kinds of sizes of ends.

I've got one on my only running bike at the moment... 80 XS850... and it has made a world of difference.

Come to think of it, it was designed for dual caliper systems so... might be too much for the single.

[hymodyne]

mc-$80.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/FRONT-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-CB650-CB750-CB900-NIGHTHAWK_W0QQitemZ120470460605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1c0c9958bd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

brake lines- $40.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-GL-1000-GOLDWING-GL1000-FRONT-BRAKE-UNION-LINES_W0QQitemZ200384511020QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2ea7d8fc2c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

HD longer bolts for two rotors-approx $12.00 to $14.00

second rotor (make sure both are for a 550; 500&550 rotors are different sizes)-$22.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/Honda-CB550-K-front-brake-disc-rotor_W0QQitemZ160357599006QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item25560ec71e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

550 forks-$35.00 (or more auction part) http://cgi.ebay.com/1976-honda-cb550-cb-550-four-h7-forks_W0QQitemZ230377169077QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item35a38ca0b5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

second caliper & hardware-22.50+ (another auctin part) http://cgi.ebay.com/1976-Honda-CB550-CB-550-front-caliper_W0QQitemZ250498664407QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a52e247d7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

total:about $215.00 (probably more as two of the pieces I listed here are auction parts)

hym

[JohnG]

both of you briing up an important consideration:  the master cylinder  (really the bore) should be appropriate for the caliper you are using.

A GL1000 master cylinder would have been designed to move enough fluid to drive the pistons in two calipers.  I would imagine if you put it on a single caliper setup, you might have an "all or nothing" feel to the handle.

Simply getting fresh parts might do alot for you.  The lines get spongy with age and you lose part of your power.  The piston in the MC leaks a little past it and you lose a little...  So maybe if you got a stainless line and rebuilt the MC and the caliper, you might get a good improvement for low bucks.

For not much you could put a 750F (75-6) disk on , which is wider but ought to bolt on, and a caliper with a bigger piston in it.  There is so much used stuff floating around, this might be done cheaply. As long as you do not use a pitted piston, used is potentially good. Some of this is how "Honda" you wish to keep your bike.. A Brembo caliper might be awesome!

[brett_bike]

My idea is that I want to keep a single disc and run a SS line down to the caliper.  If I do that I need a MC that I can re-wire the brake light switch up to. 

So if I'm processing this correctly, then I need to find a MC/lever that is used for a single front disc with a brake light switch, right?

So I guess what I'm trying to find out is what MC might work for the application I'm looking for.

Hymodyne - Thanks for the prices of your front brake build, I bet it is an awesome piece of craftsmanship.  Unfortunately, I think that's too much for me to spend on this project.

[bistromath]

My idea is that I want to keep a single disc and run a SS line down to the caliper.  If I do that I need a MC that I can re-wire the brake light switch up to. 

So if I'm processing this correctly, then I need to find a MC/lever that is used for a single front disc with a brake light switch, right?

So I guess what I'm trying to find out is what MC might work for the application I'm looking for.

Hymodyne - Thanks for the prices of your front brake build, I bet it is an awesome piece of craftsmanship.  Unfortunately, I think that's too much for me to spend on this project.

they make banjo fittings with integrated brake light switches. that would let you run a single stainless line down to the hardline. or keep the stock switch and run two separate stainless lines. there's a guy on this board who makes custom stainless lines, look him up in the for sale section.