Topic: Master Cylinder replacement

[Scott S]

 Is there a suitable aftermarket master cylinder replacement available for a CB500/4? What is the stock bore so I can shop around?
 Is it worth rebuilding the stock M/C?

[Johnie]

Fairly simple to rebuild the MC. Here is a pic of what the parts look like. The right half of the pic shows the kit I am installing. The left side just shows what I took out. The OEM kit for my 750 was about $40 from my dealer

[MoTo-BunnY]

Is there a suitable aftermarket master cylinder replacement available for a CB500/4? What is the stock bore so I can shop around?
 Is it worth rebuilding the stock M/C?

No offense, but I know this subject has been covered MANY times previously and those very informative posts surely can be found with just a bit of searching here on the forums?

Just using your own words, "master cylinder replacement" brought up three pages worth of previous posts:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64178.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=18045.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=51070.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41098.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=12934.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=12664.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=62759.0


etc, etc, etc. . . .  .

[fastbroshi]

Is there a suitable aftermarket master cylinder replacement available for a CB500/4?

Yes, but lots of production bikes' master cylinders will readily switch over and work just fine provided they have the same thread for the banjo bolt. 

What is the stock bore so I can shop around?

I think it's 14mm, I may be wrong. 

Is it worth rebuilding the stock M/C?

Not to me, I just had a hell of a time getting mine apart!  That and the 1970s level of performance from the stocker have kept me from rebuilding it.  I'll be getting one of these soon (I have clubmans):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FRONT-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-FZR750-FZR1000-XS650-XJ650R_W0QQitemZ120550349374QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1c115c5a3e

Or for standard bars, I've seen good reviews on this site for this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FRONT-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-CB400-CB450-CB550-NIGHTHAWK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c115a45faQQitemZ120550213114QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Scott S]

No offense, but I know this subject has been covered MANY times previously and those very informative posts surely can be found with just a bit of searching here on the forums?

 None taken. I do use the search function. One thing that cripples me is that many of the results come up in reference to CB750's (or a 400 or 350, etc). I'm working on a 500 and have yet to learn all the stuff that swaps over, interchanges, etc.
 Also, many of the threads in the search results are old and pictures and links no longer work, so they're not always as helpful as you'd think.
 I'm very new to the SOHC's and will probably continue to ask seemingly dumb questions. I will also continue to use the search.

[dave500]

i had to have mine sleeved,next time ill use some thing else,,if you dont need or want a genuine look,ill bet theres plenty of other options from most jap makes,even if the bore was smaller,it would only give you more pressure at the pad,for more stroke.

[mycb750k6]

I just re-anodized my MC in the back yard. Bought a 14mm flexi-hone per the book and put in the new guts. Brand new. My opinion the only things needing replacing in those kits are the rubber pieces. I wish I could find a place to just buy those. The springs, washer, valve, circlip all seem perfectly usable in a rebuild.

Oh by the way I noticed David Silver Spares juts starting selling a master cylinder for the CB750s. It doesn't look exactly stock but it's close (and brand new)

[Johnie]

If you do it yourself you will need a long cir-clip pliers to get that clip out. I just finished the MC and caliper rebuild on my KO, K1 & K4. What a nice difference. If you do it yourself be sure to get the Honda OEM kit and do not waste your money on the aftermarket stuff.

[Gonzowerke]

If you are not concerned about stock looks, the MC from an early 90's CBR600F works real good. It is what FrankenBike is wearing. The rebuild kit was cheaper too...

[Zaipai]

I am doing this to mine, thanks for the links very helpful!!!

.: Scott :.

[fastbroshi]

If you are not concerned about stock looks, the MC from an early 90's CBR600F works real good. It is what FrankenBike is wearing. The rebuild kit was cheaper too...

That right hand button pod works great too, but you can't use the throttle tube.  No big deal, because a 550 tube works perfectly in there.  Just get yourself a wiring diagram for the 600 and once wired up it works okay.  It also has female leads off of it for a mc with a brake switch on it, like the ones I linked to.