Damaged brake pistons
- Conti
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Damaged brake pistons
13 May 2007 15:00
Hello,
I decided to open the brakes of my KZ1000ST to clean them. It's a bike I bought some months ago, which I'm rebuilding.
Here's what the pistons looked like when I removed them:
And here is what I discovered after cleaning them:
I only drove 30km with that bike after buying it, and the brake did work. However, I think that kind of damage on the pistons could result in a leak, when the damaged part passes near the seals.
What's your opinion ? Would you replace the pistons ?
I decided to open the brakes of my KZ1000ST to clean them. It's a bike I bought some months ago, which I'm rebuilding.
Here's what the pistons looked like when I removed them:
And here is what I discovered after cleaning them:
I only drove 30km with that bike after buying it, and the brake did work. However, I think that kind of damage on the pistons could result in a leak, when the damaged part passes near the seals.
What's your opinion ? Would you replace the pistons ?
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- Duck
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- e vica na i sau na ga
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
13 May 2007 15:21
If a pit travels from one side of the seal to the other, it will carry a small amount of brake fluid. Otherwise it won't be a problem. I've often wondered if these pits could be filled with epoxy. Will have to give it a try one day.
-Duck
-Duck
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- harm
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
13 May 2007 15:54
I agree with Duck. The seal is wide enough that it probably woudn't be a problem.
Tom
Holland, MI
1980 KZ550 ELR
2011 Concours14
2017 KX450 [/color]
Holland, MI
1980 KZ550 ELR
2011 Concours14
2017 KX450 [/color]
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- BSKZ650
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
14 May 2007 04:50
a friend did fill his with J B weld and sanded it smooth, it worked, I didnt think it would, far as I know hes still running it
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
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- riverroad
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
14 May 2007 09:23
I'll second the JB Weld. Maybe do what I call a scrape test with some brake fliud first. Smear some JB Weld onto a small piece of aluminum or something and let it cure. Then soak it in some brake fluid for a week or so, then pull it out and scrape it with a knife to see if the surface of the JB weld had gotten softer than the core.
Or, just smear some on, sand smooth, install and keep an eye on them. If they leak, you'll see it, but it's not like your brakes will just suddenly fail because of those pits.
Or, just smear some on, sand smooth, install and keep an eye on them. If they leak, you'll see it, but it's not like your brakes will just suddenly fail because of those pits.
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- BSKZ650
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
14 May 2007 09:56
I was thinking about this and forgot to say change it over to dot 5 , I have done it in mine and would never go back to dot 3.
yes its expensive, but, it dosent attract water, it will not eat the paint, has a higher boiling point
yes its expensive, but, it dosent attract water, it will not eat the paint, has a higher boiling point
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
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- Conti
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
14 May 2007 14:56
Apparently, I'm not the only one to have problem with the KZ brake pistons...
@BSKZ650: Are you sure you mean Dot5, and not Dot5.1? Dot5 can't be used in regular brakes. It eats the seals...
@BSKZ650: Are you sure you mean Dot5, and not Dot5.1? Dot5 can't be used in regular brakes. It eats the seals...
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- BSKZ650
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
15 May 2007 06:36
its the synthetic (sp) blue in color seems like it said dot 5 on the can, and is compatable with the rubber parts, you just have to make sure and clean out all the dot 3 stuff
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
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- rstnick
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Re: Damaged brake pistons
15 May 2007 11:29
I've had DOT5 in my brakes for over 20 years, 10 of them in storage. They were rebuilt at the time, with braided lines. After ten years of storeage, they worked well still. I did bleed with new DOT5 when I got her back on the road.
I just rebuilt my rear caliper and switched to DOT4 as I'm using an '04 GSXR master cylinder and resevoir. My piston looked very good for having been sitting in the DOT5 for over 20 years.
Post edited by: rstnick, at: 2007/05/15 14:30
I just rebuilt my rear caliper and switched to DOT4 as I'm using an '04 GSXR master cylinder and resevoir. My piston looked very good for having been sitting in the DOT5 for over 20 years.
Post edited by: rstnick, at: 2007/05/15 14:30
Rob
CANADA
Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me
1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s (aka GPz750)
1978 KZ1000 project
CANADA
Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me
1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s (aka GPz750)
1978 KZ1000 project
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