KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

KZ900 Front Brakes

  • Scirocco
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  • Premium Member
  • Never change a running system
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08 Jun 2021 15:39 #849843 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
Use a small Dremel fiber/brass wire brush to clean the grooves.

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08 Jun 2021 19:09 - 08 Jun 2021 19:14 #849858 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationTypo, haha, picks! 
www.harborfreight.com/test-probe-set-5-pc-61872.html

Or Sciroccos method. Get a dremel with the flex shaft. I’m amazed at the fact it usually my go to for so many tasks.


 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
Last edit: 08 Jun 2021 19:14 by Mikaw.

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10 Jun 2021 05:50 #849947 by Lebowski
Replied by Lebowski on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
Alright, will do. I was worried about scuffing up the inside and making my problem worse. 

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10 Jun 2021 07:26 #849948 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
I’d suggest using the wire wheels. The brass won’t scratch. Then gently pick out the stubborn crud with the picks. Then a brake clean spray down. And more inspections till the grove is clean. It won’t hurt to use the wire wheels on the main piston bore to clean up heavy crud. Make sure you have no pitting on the pistons. 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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10 Jun 2021 07:57 #849952 by Lebowski
Replied by Lebowski on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
Pistons are brand new. The bore is actually pretty clean. The groove is the dirty part. 

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  • DOHC
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  • Sustaining Member
  • Those Doe-Hawks really go!
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10 Jun 2021 11:39 - 10 Jun 2021 11:41 #849967 by DOHC
Replied by DOHC on topic KZ900 Front Brakes

Mikaw post=849948I’d suggest using the wire wheels. The brass won’t scratch. Then gently pick out the stubborn crud with the picks. 

I've been using Dremel stainless steel brushes.  They work well, and don't seem to be too aggressive for the aluminum.

amazon.com/Dremel-530-02-Stainless-Steel-Brushes/dp/B015PK5DRY

For a pick I've been using a softer pick that doesn't seem to scratch as much as the hard pointy ones.  A magnet does stick to it, but it bends pretty easy.  I think it's a pottery tool. :)

I clean the bore and seal groove with brake cleaner first.  It makes the crusty stuff stand out white against the aluminum.  Then I go after the bigger bits with the pick, and then clean out the groove with the stainless wheel.  I also have been using 1200 grit wet sand paper (wet with water) to clean stains off the inside surface of the piston bore.  

'78 Z1-R in blue , '78 Z1-R in black, '78 Z1-R in pieces
My dad's '74 Z1
'00 ZRX1100
Last edit: 10 Jun 2021 11:41 by DOHC.

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10 Jun 2021 11:51 #849969 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic KZ900 Front Brakes

Mikaw post=849948I’d suggest using the wire wheels. The brass won’t scratch. Then gently pick out the stubborn crud with the picks. 

I've been using Dremel stainless steel brushes.  They work well, and don't seem to be too aggressive for the aluminum.

amazon.com/Dremel-530-02-Stainless-Steel-Brushes/dp/B015PK5DRY

For a pick I've been using a softer pick that doesn't seem to scratch as much as the hard pointy ones.  A magnet does stick to it, but it bends pretty easy.  I think it's a pottery tool. :)

I clean the bore and seal groove with brake cleaner first.  It makes the crusty stuff stand out white against the aluminum.  Then I go after the bigger bits with the pick, and then clean out the groove with the stainless wheel.  I also have been using 1200 grit wet sand paper (wet with water) to clean stains off the inside surface of the piston bore.  
All good advise. I like it. I have both stainless and brass wire wheels. And red, green, black, and gold scotch bright wheels for the dremel. 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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14 Jun 2021 05:57 #850179 by Lebowski
Replied by Lebowski on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
I have cleaned out the seal groove with a brass Dremel brush, reinstalled new seals and pistons with red grease, installed my new dust boot rings,  reassembled the remaining brake pieces, added brake fluid, and bleed out the system. I am now getting good pressure at the brake handle and everything seems to be working well. No leaks that I can see, so I really appreciate the help! I will say that this assembly was totally different than the first time after using the red grease. The first time I had to use a vice to push the piston into the cylinder. This time it went in with minor hand pressure. Hopefully this $200 investment will get me another 40+ years of good safe service!

 
The following user(s) said Thank You: DOHC, Mikaw

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14 Jun 2021 19:03 #850205 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
Yay!

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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15 Jun 2021 11:02 #850231 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
One more comment. You can track the fluid lever in the M/C reservoir. Or you can pull the caliper and lift the dust seal and look for signs of brake fluid. If have consistent lever travel after sitting a few days I’d call it good. 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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16 Jun 2021 08:00 #850266 by Lebowski
Replied by Lebowski on topic KZ900 Front Brakes
So, far so good. I still see no leaking and same travel on the lever. The bike does not run, so I can't put it through its paces just yet, but I've been giving it a good squeeze and pumping it the way I would if I were on the road. Not much else I can do. 

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