Topic: Replacement Front Brake MC

[KB02]

Okay, I did a quick search, but didn't realy find the results that I was looking for. (then again, I'm also horrible at searches)

This question is for all the people out there who have reaplaced their Front Brack Master Cylinder with something other than stock:
What did you use?

With the clip on bars that I am using, I have the Stock MC pushed as far in as I can go. I have about 1-2 MM of clearance before the banjo bolt hits the fork, and my throttle still has about an inch to go before mounting flush with the end of the bar. I know that some people have something other than stock, but what? My caliper is stock and I've switched all the lines to stainless steel. The Stock MC works just fine, I just need something smaller to go on the bars.

Any suggestions?

[Steve F]

Might want to give these guys a try...
http://www.spieglerusa.com/

[bill440cars]

                 I figure KB02 is probably looking for a little more reasonably priced parts, I know I would be.
    Surely someone has run into his problem and can offer some info on the subject. My self, I don't
    know if the early to mid 80's Honda master cylinders would be the answer or not. Anybody?
    Later on, Bill

[n9viw]

The 80s MCs still have the reservoir as an integral part of the lever... one thing to consider may be a MC with divorced (remote) reservoir. You can mount it on the bar behind the lever, behind the headlight, over on the left bar... so long as it's not BELOW the MC piston.
When I was running apes on my 550 (don't ask, it was a bad idea), I decided to mount the MC to the frame and actuate it with a cable. I hogged out the mount clamp to fit around the crossbrace above the exhaust, and created a weird assembly of steel bits that acted in a 'scissor' action to push the piston on the MC (removed the lever). It actually worked rather well, and when I went to stock bars (and again recently when I went to drag bars on 4" risers), shortening the cable was an easy feat.

[Teach]

When I was perusing the Parts Unlimited catalog at my local dealer the other day I came across some aftermarket master cylinders.  They're pretty compact, there were a few different styles, and they were relatively cheap, in the sub $100 range if I remember correctly.

[Jay B]

I decided to mount the MC to the frame and actuate it with a cable.

BMW used a remote cable actuated MC back in the 70's also. I've ridden a couple of R75/5's with them, they work fine as long as the cable is well lubed so the MC piston retracts like it should. We have a blizzard heading our way, I'll probably mount my new drags on my 350f since it looks like I'll have the time. I can already see I will probably be dealing with the same issue. I hadn't thought of the remote MC thing, it opens up lots of possibilities.

As far as a replacement MC, the thing to watch is the piston diameter. The ratio of the MC piston dia to the caliper piston dia is the hydralic equivilant to leverage ratios in the mechanical world.

[cafe69]

I have found a master cylinder for dual disks from http://www.mikesxs.com/
Chassis/Brakes menu---
Brakes
Scroll down to part #08-0265

It will handle a dual disk set up, its only 79.00 US, its low profile, and the fitting comes out the FRONT of the reservoir, and fits 7/8 bars. But it is a Yamaha part.

Butch

[bwaller]

I bought a ZX12 master on e-bay for 20.00, the banjo bolt is toward the front so like cafe69 says you'll save a lot of space. I'm using a interceptor cylinder on my 750, same deal, the fitting is on the front.

[mikeb4]

This question is for all the people out there who have reaplaced their Front Brack Master Cylinder with something other than stock:
What did you use?

Any suggestions?

I had the exact same problem when I went to clip ons and found a mid-eighties Yamaha master on eBay new old stock for $35 with a nice angle on the resevoir and a compact size that worked perfect with my dual disks.  Plenty of room for the stainless braided cables and now a bar end weight.  See pic .....

[STLrocker]

i am using a yamaha MC as well. i got it from ebay for a coule of bucks. seller didnt know what model it came from. polished it up. it looks nice and fits much better. the line connects to the front. it is much shorter than the stock one. it gives a different feel to the lever due to it being a different size piston(5/8"i believe). but it works fine. just took a little getting used to the difference.

an added bonus to using a newer style MC is that they usually have a brake light switch built into the MC. which means, if you want to, you can use that instead of the pressure switch on the lower tree, which i have never really liked.

[KB02]

What would be the benifit / disadvantage of using an MC designed for twin disks on a signle disk set up? I know the ratios are different, but how would it effect the brake? Would the dual disk MC push more fluid into the single disk caliper making it much more touchy? Or would it be the opposite effect?
the reason I ask is that I have heard of people going from a single disk settup toa dual disk without changing the MC (modern bikes) and having brakes so touchy they could barely ride them. Or is that an urban legend?

[Jay B]

A MC for dual discs will have a larger bore, since it supplying two calipers. If you'd use one on a single disc, the lever would have to move very little for the brake to engage because of the greater volume pumped. After it engages you'd have to pull harder on the lever for a given amount of braking force. Conversly, if you use a single caliper MC on dual discs, the lever would have to move farther to engage, but once they did the brakes would be touchier due to more pressure generated by the smaller bore for a given amount of force. This sounds clear as mud, hope you get what I mean.

[cd811]

brand new from honda...2005 trx450...$50...set-up for dual disc...so works great on my set-up(2 six piston calipers)

[Buffo]

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=3486.0

[KB02]

A MC for dual discs will have a larger bore, since it supplying two calipers. If you'd use one on a single disc, the lever would have to move very little for the brake to engage because of the greater volume pumped. After it engages you'd have to pull harder on the lever for a given amount of braking force. Conversly, if you use a single caliper MC on dual discs, the lever would have to move farther to engage, but once they did the brakes would be touchier due to more pressure generated by the smaller bore for a given amount of force. This sounds clear as mud, hope you get what I mean.

believe it or not, I followed that. Hydraulics are weird. 

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=3486.0

That's great! What is it? I mean, read the post I saw that it was a Nissan part, but where did you get it? How much did it cost?

[Buffo]

I believe I got it from Dennis Kirk and I think it cost about $150.. I got the 14mm one

[KCs76Cafe]

Mikeb4 and STL.........any idea what model Yamaha those masters came off of? I think I might try to find one of those.

[bwaller]

KC,  There are any number of master cylinders you can use, here are a couple more. One is Suzuki the other scratched, bug infested... a Honda Interceptor.

[bwaller]

The top one was used on some Kawasaki models also, was supposed to be from a ZX12.

[ProTeal55]

Good topic, lots-O-good info ....

My dual-disc project is well underway, and I am in need of a new master for my scoot.
I would perfer one with one of those nifty little micro switches for the brakeswitch.
Anyone have some links for me, or a bike I should be looking for on the Ebay ?
I like the under $100 price range, if that helps....

The top one was used on some Kawasaki models also, was supposed to be from a ZX12.

I would assume, that any master from a newer sportbike that has dual-disc from the factory
would work , correct ??

[bwaller]

PT, If you want the latest style master with a remote reservoir, you'll pay more, but for 20 - 30 bucks you'll find something descent on e-bay. Watch for GSXR or Katana, there are lots of these. As a matter of fact e-mail me if you'd like, I may still have one from a 750 Interceptor.

[GeoffT]

FWIW I have a Yamaha MC on my 550. Not sure when it was added or why. Always wondered about it. Not sure what Yamaha it is from. I'll post a pic later.

[mikeb4]

Mikeb4 and STL.........any idea what model Yamaha those masters came off of? I think I might try to find one of those.

KC, I am away but will look it up tonight when I get back.  What I really liked about the one I used is it is very compact, fully black colored with a strong angle on the reservoir that keeps it level when filling and bleeding, considering the down angle on the clip-ons.  Also, it has the brake light switch built in so I can run dual stainless braided lines direct to the two front wheel calipers. 

It was brand new and a very clean solution for under $40.

[mikeb4]

Mikeb4 and STL.........any idea what model Yamaha those masters came off of? I think I might try to find one of those.

KC, I am away but will look it up tonight when I get back.  What I really liked about the one I used is it is very compact, fully black colored with a strong angle on the reservoir that keeps it level when filling and bleeding, considering the down angle on the clip-ons.  Also, it has the brake light switch built in so I can run dual stainless braided lines direct to the two front wheel calipers. 

It was brand new and a very clean solution for under $40.

Here you go KC ...... I did a quick search on eBay and found this nasty over priced one but same model ...... this is just like what I used a brand new version of.  It is for a 1982 XJ650 .... it's very compact - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/yamaha-XJ-650-XJ650-SECA-MAXIM-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35592QQitemZ4614683457QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[mikeb4]

Mikeb4 and STL.........any idea what model Yamaha those masters came off of? I think I might try to find one of those.

KC, I am away but will look it up tonight when I get back.  What I really liked about the one I used is it is very compact, fully black colored with a strong angle on the reservoir that keeps it level when filling and bleeding, considering the down angle on the clip-ons.  Also, it has the brake light switch built in so I can run dual stainless braided lines direct to the two front wheel calipers. 

It was brand new and a very clean solution for under $40.

Here you go KC ...... I did a quick search on eBay and found this nasty over priced one but same model ...... this is just like what I used a brand new version of.  It is for a 1982 XJ650 .... it's very compact - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/yamaha-XJ-650-XJ650-SECA-MAXIM-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35592QQitemZ4614683457QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

OK ... the one I bought was specifically for the Yamaha FZR600/Maxim 1100-750 and it was $29.99 brand new old stock.  No model year on my payment receipt and the auction is gone off of eBay at this point so no more info.  Good Luck!  based on this thread looks like there are no bad options as long as it fits!