front brake rebuild (how to confirm caliper is \"ok\")

Hi all...

I'm making GREAT PROGRESS with your help (thanks!)...

i have the 1980 KZ440 mast. cyl. primed right now (will paint it later on!)...

am working on the caliper now (is from the bike and is the OEM - a 1978 KZ400)...

i have taken out the pads and have opened up the bleed screw...

i wonder:

- is there any way (or reason) to try and clean out the inside (i think the bike sat for a LONG time!)..

- is there a wayto confirm that the piston works? (no, i do not recall trying it out before i dismatled everything - my bad )

thoughts...

suggestions?

i'm kind'a mad at myself... i placed an order last night for a new dust cover for the mast. cyl. as well as a diaphram and should have waited (saved on shipping costs) to oder, oh.... new crush washers, possible new bleed screw (current one is kind'a rusty, but am hoping some wd40 helps with that)...

this is going MUCH smootehr than i had expected*...

- prime
(* yeah, i know... i should keep my mouth shut!)

you want to confirm smooth movement of the piston in the bore and verify that it will retract with light pressure. Personally, I would get a rebuild kit and pull it apart to flush any poop out of it and see if you need to clean up the bore as it tends to get pitted if the brake fluid had moisture in it for any period of time.

I....I....(remember I = the dumb arse on this computer!)

would just pull the piston, and the seal (it can be removed if you use some dental picks and take your time) then clean all the crap outta there (there will be alot!) wash it out with brake cleaner then re-assemble.


If later you notice your breaks drag, or leak, or anything else then rebuild them... but it really is easy to clean them and you can end up with great results.

thanks....

i went the route of a complete removal of piston (see other posts if curious).

though i'm not sure what that I=I stuff is about...

- prime

Just trying to make sure you knew that is what this idiot did on his bike....

It is not really the safest thing, as you don't have much room for error on a bike when it comes to brakes.

The I stuff was meant to be a disclaimer of sorts....

ah....

thought it was "eye-eye" captain (or something else)...

anyway, thanks for the advice (and yes... brake are one of those "important" things)...