Author Topic: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?  (Read 1326 times)

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Offline magconpres

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Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« on: June 05, 2010, 08:43:01 AM »
The K&L kits are about $10 less than the OEM kit for a CB400F.
Not a lot of money, but $10 hear and there adds up after a lot of purchases.

Has anyone had any issues with the K&L kits?

Thanks
1975 CB400F, stock,  on the road
1975 CB400F, ran when I parked it. Cafe Racer bound
1986 TLR200 commuter and trail bike when with the kids...90MPG!
1986 TLR200, Vintage Trials build up coming
1986 TLR200, Not sure what to do with this one...Vintage Trials Super Moto?
2004 GasGas 300EC...my enduro racer
2004 Sherco 290...Trials bike
2004 CRF70... Son's ride
2006 PW50 ... Daughter's ride
1982 XL500R (04 XR250 front end)...my DS bike.

Offline midnightrider

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2010, 11:22:27 AM »
I just installed a K&L kit... seems to work fine; no leaks.  I've seen them trashed on the forums occasionally though.
1972 CB350 Four - "The Green Hornet"
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=84975.0


I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can; I will take love wherever I find it and offer it to everyone who will take it... seek knowledge from those wiser and teach those who wish to learn from me.
-- Duane Allman's epitaph

Offline mgbgt89

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2010, 11:24:06 AM »
I've put K&L kits on a cb900F, a cb350F, and a cb650SC. No issues on any of them. Seem to be pretty well made, but only time will tell.

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2010, 12:07:13 PM »
K&L seems to be of better quality than the Keysters.

But, I would still use the Honda original internal metal bits rather than replacements.

You could, of course, mechanically measure each component to see if it adheres to Honda parameters/tolerances.
(But, I'd rather pay the extra $10.)
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline magconpres

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2010, 08:41:31 PM »
Thanks.
1975 CB400F, stock,  on the road
1975 CB400F, ran when I parked it. Cafe Racer bound
1986 TLR200 commuter and trail bike when with the kids...90MPG!
1986 TLR200, Vintage Trials build up coming
1986 TLR200, Not sure what to do with this one...Vintage Trials Super Moto?
2004 GasGas 300EC...my enduro racer
2004 Sherco 290...Trials bike
2004 CRF70... Son's ride
2006 PW50 ... Daughter's ride
1982 XL500R (04 XR250 front end)...my DS bike.

Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2010, 06:58:21 AM »
I had a bad experience with a cheap (not K&L) aftermarket MC kit. Some slag stuff from the machining process got stuck to it that I didn't notice it at first. I replaced it with a honda kit and no more problems.

1972 CB350F (Back from the Dead!)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20822.0
1965? S65 - Coming Eventually!
1972 CB750K2 (father-son project)
1976 CB750K6- (sold) http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96859.0
1976 CB750K6 (sold)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=62569.0

Offline Nikkisixx

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2010, 07:02:11 AM »
K&L seems to be of better quality than the Keysters.

But, I would still use the Honda original internal metal bits rather than replacements.

You could, of course, mechanically measure each component to see if it adheres to Honda parameters/tolerances.
(But, I'd rather pay the extra $10.)

+1  - I know times are tough all over but I'd save my pennies and spend the extra $10. 
It is a proven fact that modifying a SOHC Honda in any way will bring on the apocalypse.

Offline midnightrider

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2010, 05:34:59 AM »
K&L seems to be of better quality than the Keysters.

But, I would still use the Honda original internal metal bits rather than replacements.

You could, of course, mechanically measure each component to see if it adheres to Honda parameters/tolerances.
(But, I'd rather pay the extra $10.)

+1  - I know times are tough all over but I'd save my pennies and spend the extra $10. 

Is it only $10?  I got my K&L for $22 and I always see the Honda ones for $45. 
1972 CB350 Four - "The Green Hornet"
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=84975.0


I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can; I will take love wherever I find it and offer it to everyone who will take it... seek knowledge from those wiser and teach those who wish to learn from me.
-- Duane Allman's epitaph

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2010, 10:31:47 AM »
Just a thought.  Do you think the aftermarket suppliers won't raise their prices when Honda stops offering parts/kits?

When makers realize their products don't sell, don't they usually stop producing?  I'd wager that more parts for these old machines would become available again, if there was enough demand for them.

Just saying...

Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Nikkisixx

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2010, 12:14:09 PM »
Is it only $10?  I got my K&L for $22 and I always see the Honda ones for $45. 

Midnight, you're right the price for a Honda kit is twice as much. 
BUT $45 bones for an OEM rebuild kit is reasonable IMHO.   
It is a proven fact that modifying a SOHC Honda in any way will bring on the apocalypse.

Offline CB500_k2

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2010, 04:27:54 AM »
I got a MC rebuild kit on eBay, don't remember the manufacturer but was not OEM.  The rubber seals on the piston failed immediately.  Honda stands behind the quality of their parts.  It is sad to drip brake fluid on your tank. 
Too many bikes -- too little time
1973 CB500
1974 CB350 - sold
1975 CB400F SuperSport
2000 Ducati Monster Dark

Offline skiri251

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Re: Any concerns with aftermarket MC Rebuild kits?
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2010, 08:17:08 AM »
It's not a M/C but caliper rebuild kit for GL1100 but my recent experince.

I bought genuine Honda seals for the front, they were fine.

I bought aftermarket (maybe K&L, not sure, it said made in Japan) for the rear.
Seals were too small and had a hard time installing the pistons. Ended up breaking one seal.