Topic: dual disc master cylinder

[xsmooth69x]

ok another quick question

i want to run a dual disk setup on my cb550

i live like 20 min from this place



its a vintage bike bone yard called sportwheels

anyways i can pretty much get any part for my bike. now i know i should use a Master cylinder from another bike that runs a dual disc system. from lurking people say cbr600-1000 or gl1000

but can i just pick any MC from any bike with a dual disc system? i also want to do clip on handle bars too and i have also read people having clearance problems with some MC reservoir or something???


****does anyone have problems with this verification picture like 4/5 times i can never get it right.....

[Hannibal Smith]

I used a Nissin MC from a dual disc 1990's Triumph (NOS)-
The Master cylinder can have an integral, or remote system. I chose an integral for 2 reasons. Remote units look too "modern" IMO, and the MC was "short" so my clipons were not super wide.

[xsmooth69x]

so pretty much what your saying if it fits and the bike runs a dual brake system im good to go?

going totally integral too the remote systems are not that cool looking

[xsmooth69x]

also can i just buy any double banjo or is there some special moon banjo for the three way block on the cb550?

[Hannibal Smith]

Basically, yes.
What I did was look around, and then when I found a unit I liked, I checked to see if rebuild kits were available/common/inexpensive..............then I purchased the thing.
I ended up getting lucky and scored a NOS set of cable actuated clutch and MC system with matching levers, somerthing else to consider!
Sorry no pics, but I am saving her for my "Bike of the Month" victory.

Take your time, plenty of stuff out there-took me 2 days of casual searching to get the perfect setup, I almost impulse bought some other stuff that would now be another paperweight. Notice I said "another"................

[Hannibal Smith]

also can i just buy any double banjo or is there some special moon banjo for the three way block on the cb550?

Double Banjo is two banjos on top of each other with a single banjo bolt going through both- simple and it works. Nothing wrong with running a manifold either.

[xsmooth69x]

ya i was just making sure there is not some special threading or anything.

whats the difference from using a manifold or just a double banjo?

[xsmooth69x]

what are

"NOS set of cable actuated clutch"?

[Hannibal Smith]

what are

"NOS set of cable actuated clutch"?

My clutch is cable actuated, so I needed a matching pair of levers- and it needed to come in a set. NOS means "New Old Stock" which is stuff that is "old" but never was used. This setup I got came from Fleabay, and it was spec'ed for some Triumph with dual disc and cable clutch. A lot of clutches are hydraulic, so getting a matching set takes some looking-

[thehammer]

sportwheels gouges you on everything, I'd definitely stick to the bins by the office that have the parts protected from rain. You'd get it cheaper on ebay.

[xsmooth69x]

ow man im confused now.....

so wait i thought the stuff matched when you got new levers....

what exactly is hard to find matched?

i thought most bikes where all cabled based.....

[xsmooth69x]

ow trust me sportwheels is kinda pricey but its always negotiable. i try to buy a lot of parts at once to get better prices. you go in there and buy one thing at a time they deff price you hard

[TIM TINGEY, age 55]

I have a 1974CB550k with dual discs on it since 1978.  Originally I ran a 1978 CB750f mstr/cyl. In 83 I mounted a CB1100F mstr/cly. These can be found at bone yards, they are all aluminum- no plastic cup. A perfect fit with a easy to find lever desighn, rebuild kits are still available.  If I can offer some advise, DON'T run two stock discs unless they are thinned to 4mm and drilled. they are far two heavy. I'm not aware of anything that bolts up thats still available. My discs are Mark Zero Holey discs, a high grade steel, heavily drilled and very light. The entire dual disc setup is lighter than the one OEM disc assembly soley due to the lighter discs. There has been alot written about dual disc setup's on early Honda's. OEM discs were common in these early articles the best of which was in Cycle MAgazine. They warned against two stockers because the added weight can lead to bad wobbles, suspension that can not be tuned to handle the weight, and heavy steering. And your brakes will stil disappear in the pouring rain. Lastly I run a 78 CB750F splitter mid way down. The 1100F mstr assly has  the switch mounted in it. My email is timmanyatingey@yahoo.com. I can send you some Photo's if you want. Good luck.

[Retro Rocket]

Some good advice there Tim but i have run twin Honda discs on a pile of 750's and never had wobbles and they were far better than stock and were still good in the rain,  i know a few guys that raced the 750's in the 70's with the same set up....

[HondaMan]

Like Retro implies: I've installed duals on 750 and 500/550 bikes with the stock master cylinder, with no issues if the cylinder is in good condition (and the calipers). If you want a "harder" feeling brake with duals, just switch the rubber hoses to Goodrich hoses (contact Z1 Enterprises for all the parts) and you can do a front wheelstand if you're not careful. 

[xsmooth69x]

omg! that makes perfect sense i was going to run dual stock disc 

well that changes everything sh*t!

..... this project is going on the back burner now this will run me more $$$ than i thought.

but it will be done i heard the 550 breaks weren't the best especially if its wet.

[Eydugstr]

If you're worried about rain...Might give Anubis Cycles (ElCheapo on the forum) a PM about drilling your rotors.  Does a great job, about $52 per rotor.

[Retro Rocket]

omg! that makes perfect sense i was going to run dual stock disc 

well that changes everything sh*t!

..... this project is going on the back burner now this will run me more $$$ than i thought.

but it will be done i heard the 550 breaks weren't the best especially if its wet.

There are plenty of guys here running 2 stock discs and i have for years. Most guys don't use their front brakes to  their full potential anyway, they will be better than stock and you don't even have to replace the master cylinder.

[xsmooth69x]

ya im going to try and get some after market brakes i know you can run 2 stockers but less mass the better.

ill just stick with the stock one for now.......

[Retro Rocket]

ya im going to try and get some after market brakes i know you can run 2 stockers but less mass the better.

ill just stick with the stock one for now.......

On a 30+ year old bike i would say more brake is better.....    Get them drilled and you loose a pile of weight, there is a guy on the forum that does ventilated discs for cheap.....

[scottly]

I just recently adapted thinner (and much lighter) Yamaha discs to my 750. The bolt pattern was the same, but I had to machine centering rings/spacers. You may be able to find newer, thinner discs at the bone-yard that could be adapted to your bike.
The discs I used were 2 pounds lighter, each, than stock 750 discs, and they have slots to improve wet braking. Drilling the stock discs is probably worth about 1/2 pound each, unless you go really crazy.
I used a stock MC, and larger 77-78 calipers, and the brakes are working great! I just got back from a 588 mile relay ride!

[xsmooth69x]

ow man custom machining parts....

ya the breaks are going to be another day for sure... right now i need to get my bike running

this is what she looks like now



this forums is my new home btw 

since this is my first motorcycle build>my first motorcycle> my motorcycle that i dont know how to ride >