Author Topic: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders  (Read 1692 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« on: September 15, 2019, 05:37:57 AM »
So I have another older bike that needs a new brake master and several people have pointed me at cheap new ones listed for sale on eBay. At the prices listed those units have to be Chinese made and frankly, that gives me a bit of pause since a brake master cylinder does a kind of important job.

Apparently some people have run them for years without issue but I wanted to check in here and see what you all thought.

Thanks in advance for the discussion.

Offline Scott S

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8,232
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2019, 07:43:21 AM »
 I've used them plenty of times. They're the same units that places re-sell at a higher price; MikesXS, CB750supply, Dime City, etc.
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline Bankerdanny

  • Eventually I will be old enough in reality to be
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,626
  • Endeavor to persevere
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2019, 07:45:35 AM »
I have had mixed results. The cheap rear master I bought for my 750F works great. The cheap front master I bought from a different source simply will not bleed out, so I went the other route and bought a nice new Nissin radial style for $140.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2019, 09:18:03 AM »
Thanks for the thoughts.

My time/prior focus on vintage cars may be biasing me here. Pattern parts are often terrible and especially on the British cars the Taiwanese parts are typically terrible quality.

It may be incorrect to apply that experience to parts for vintage Hondas....
« Last Edit: September 16, 2019, 12:17:52 PM by tdskip »

Offline seanbarney41

  • not really that much younger than an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 10,836
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2019, 01:34:17 PM »
Most cases, I would say you would be correct.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2019, 12:43:45 PM »
Anyone familiar with Huri as a vendor?

Wonder how many of these all come from the same manufacturer?

Offline spotty

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,936
  • cb750....for when a Vmax is just too much bike
    • spottys world of vmaxes and great danes
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2019, 04:47:35 PM »
something as simple as that shouldn't be a problem, very few moving parts and as long as the seal does its job it should be fine

beware of the cheap radial brembo copies, they ARE cheap for a reason...ask me how i know this
i blame Terry

Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2019, 05:09:14 PM »
Thanks for the reply  and being patient - I know that I’m very-very close to over thinking this.


Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2019, 10:47:25 AM »
OK - so that part I posted showed up today and it seems to be good quality, will let you know if any issues are encountered in use.

Thanks gentlemen!

Offline Bankerdanny

  • Eventually I will be old enough in reality to be
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,626
  • Endeavor to persevere
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2019, 03:37:30 PM »
OK - so that part I posted showed up today and it seems to be good quality, will let you know if any issues are encountered in use.

Thanks gentlemen!

The generic Chinese import I bought looked good too, it even bench bled fine, it was only after I hooked up the hoses and tried to fully bleed the system i found that it wouldn't.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2019, 04:16:40 PM »
Chickens being counted, eggs un-hatched. Fair point.

Offline Don R

  • My Sandcast is a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 19,917
  • Saver of unloved motorcycles.
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2019, 06:37:29 PM »
 I put a 14mm one on my 79 gl1000 it was great. It came with a rebuild kit. That may mean something, or not.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2019, 08:29:58 PM »
Mine did as well, hopefully just because they are being thoughtful  :D

Offline tbpmusic

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 791
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #13 on: September 19, 2019, 06:54:59 PM »
Working fine for me - and it doesn't leak !!
"If you can't fix it with a hammer, then it's an electrical problem"

Bill Lane
 '71 CB450 Mutant/ '75 CB200/ '81 CM200/ '71 C70M

Offline RAFster122s

  • I feel like a really really
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,368
  • SOHC4 member # 2605
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #14 on: September 19, 2019, 11:57:43 PM »
Not all Chinese stuff is crap. Sometimes you find an inexpensive part built with good quality. Problem is there are lots of knock offs of the good quality Chinese part. Sorting out the cheap from the good quality parts is difficult.  The CX/GL500 forum has a eBay seller that has a good quality master cylinder. I will have to lookup the info and share the seller’s ID.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Trevor from Warragul

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,084
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2019, 04:00:30 AM »
I used this replica Honda CM450 master cylinder on my Morini 3 1/2 Sport.  Way better than stock.







1971 Kawasaki H1A
1972 Honda CB350F
1976 Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport
1978 Honda CBX
1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200
1999 Ducati Monster 750

Offline tdskip

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 59
Re: Thoughts on cheap eBay and Amazon brake master cylinders
« Reply #16 on: September 20, 2019, 04:37:27 AM »
Great discussion, I appreciate all of the responses and information.

I am waiting on my new stainless brake lines but will post a follow-up once I get this installed.