Topic: CB550 Front Brake Caliper Question?

[wshipley]

Greetings,
I have a 1974 CB550, and am trying to rebuild the front brakes, problem is that the piston and brake pad on the caliper is so rusted in there that it will not come out. Question is do I need to look for an original stock replacement caliper for a 1974 CB550 or are there more recent calipers that will work as a replacement, I do not mind updating the brakes to something alittle more recent.

Thanks,

[scottly]

Welcome to the forum!
Before you start looking for replacements, you might want to try fixing your calipers. Stuck pistons are common, and many times calipers can be repaired by simply disassembling and cleaning. Use the search function to see how other folks have fixed theirs...   

[wshipley]

I have spent the last week trying to remove the brake pad and piston with no success, I have used Deep Creep, Simple Green, a soak in an ultra sonic cleaner and Evapo-Rust, ATF/Acetone and a heat gun, and the thing still will not come apart.  I just want to replace it now.  Used the search function but could not find any help.

Thanks

[scottly]

Did you try connecting it up to the master cylinder and pumping it out with hydraulic pressure?

[jeepurz]

had the same deal with one of mine on the 550. pumped it out with grease gun, works great. kinda messy but piston turned out to be in usable condition.

[wshipley]

As of right now the master cylinder is broke as well, I removed the boot, spring washer and snap ring and the thing is stuck in there as well.

For the grease method I have the bleeder screw off, but the brake line is frozen onto the caliper, with the line clear all the way to the end of the metal brake line, how would I plug this hole and attach the grease gun?

Thanks

[scottly]

Does the master cylinder piston move in it's bore? If it does, hook it back up to the caliper, bleed it, and see if you can't pump the caliper piston out.

[wshipley]

Nope, the master cylinder does not move at all.

[scottly]

Another thing you might try, would be to put the bleeder screw back in, and apply air pressure to the end of the brake line. Keep your fingers out of the way of the piston, in case it pops free!

[wshipley]

At this time I do not have access to an air compressor, is there anything else that would work?

Back to my original question, are there any replacement calipers that I can just bolt on?

Thanks

[Gordon]

Slightly OT, but you have a 550K, not 550E.  Just a technicality, but you're going to have problems if you start trying to source parts for a 550E since they don't exist.  The "E" just indicates that it's the engine number instead of the VIN.    

[scottly]

At this time I do not have access to an air compressor, is there anything else that would work?

Back to my original question, are there any replacement calipers that I can just bolt on?

Thanks

I don't know. But it sounds like you need a master cylinder, too. If you are on a budget, start there, and then see if you can use it to help fix your calipers...

[wshipley]

Gordon, thanks for that I was unsure about the whole "E" part, because nowhere on the bike does it have a "K" just the "E" on the engine.

[wshipley]

At this time I do not have access to an air compressor, is there anything else that would work?

Back to my original question, are there any replacement calipers that I can just bolt on?

Thanks

I don't know. But it sounds like you need a master cylinder, too. If you are on a budget, start there, and then see if you can use it to help fix your calipers...

Roger, on the Master Cylinder replacement, any Recommendations?

[scottly]

Sorry, I can't help with recommendations; I have a 750, with no Honda brake parts. I'm sure someone on here with more knowledge of your model will chime in..

[Caseygroh1]

the best way to do it is to screw a grease nipple into where the brake line screws into the caliper. I know you said the brake line is frozen to the caliper so spray the hell out of it with pb blaster to get the line off. the piston comes right out with the grease gun

[wshipley]

the best way to do it is to screw a grease nipple into where the brake line screws into the caliper. I know you said the brake line is frozen to the caliper so spray the hell out of it with pb blaster to get the line off. the piston comes right out with the grease gun

Thanks, for the advise.

Can anyone tell me what other brake calipers will fit my bike, I'll buy brand new ones if they will fit.  I don't mind having new brakes.

[Gordon]

Can anyone tell me what other brake calipers will fit my bike, I'll buy brand new ones if they will fit.  I don't mind having new brakes.

Unless you plan on doing a decent amount of fabrication and modification to the forks and rotors then stock is the way to go.  A fully functioning stock brake system is capable of locking the front wheel in a panic stop.   

[Nicolai]

I had the same problem as you with my front break caliper. I ended up having to drill holes through the break pads and the break piston! After drilling many holes the break pad got free. Then it was just a matter of a lot of force to break/drill the piston out. Of course you end up having to replace the piston, but that's cheap comparing to buy a complete new caliper.
This was not the prettiest way, but none of the tricks mentioned here (ex. greasgun) worked for me. You just have to be carefull not hitting the caliper when drilling through the piston.

[florence]

I can concur with Scottly, the most effective method is to use the brakes own action to get the piston out.  Bleed the caliper and keep the master cylinder filled with fluid.  Keep pumping but make sure you are not in the way as it can come out with great force when it does eventually go.  You will need a master cylinder at some point so this is the best place to start.

[wshipley]

Thanks for all your help guys, I'll let you know what ends up happening.