KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
- luistone
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KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 15:38
Hi I have a KZ900 LTD 1976 and front brakes don't work so I re build the master cylinder and bleed the system but still not working, I decided to take of both calipers ad check them in one of them the piston is stuck so I decided to re build them but I don't know how to take off the piston. I have downloaded the Z1 manual but the calipers are deferent.
Thank's in advance
Luis
Thank's in advance
Luis
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- z1kzonly
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 16:27
keep bleeder tight.
Put an air gun nozzle in the line hole!
KEEP FINGERS CLEAR! And blow alot of air in! It will pop out with a bang, if it really stuck.
If air don't work. Get a gease gun and fit a fitting in some how and use hydraulic pressure.
Put an air gun nozzle in the line hole!
KEEP FINGERS CLEAR! And blow alot of air in! It will pop out with a bang, if it really stuck.
If air don't work. Get a gease gun and fit a fitting in some how and use hydraulic pressure.
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!
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- wireman
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 18:49
wrap the caliper in a rag before pumping air into it

posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.
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- T_Dub
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 19:02
Those guys are right, but I have to ask, why is this in the Engine forum?
1977 KZ650B1
-810cc
-Cavanaugh Racing Head
-Mikuni RS34's
-GPR Muffler
-810cc
-Cavanaugh Racing Head
-Mikuni RS34's
-GPR Muffler
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- wireman
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 19:33
well its now the engine brake forum! :laugh:
posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.
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- Patton
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 22:29T_Dub wrote: Those guys are right, but I have to ask, why is this in the Engine forum?
Moved from Engine forum to Chassis forum.

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
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- KZQ
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 22:34wireman wrote: wrap the caliper in a rag before pumping air into it
Arrange some of the rag to catch the piston when it POPS.
Bill
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
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- T_Dub
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
07 Apr 2011 22:43
Man I got a fright when I did this the first time. Friggin piston went zooming off, I was astounded!
1977 KZ650B1
-810cc
-Cavanaugh Racing Head
-Mikuni RS34's
-GPR Muffler
-810cc
-Cavanaugh Racing Head
-Mikuni RS34's
-GPR Muffler
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- luistone
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
20 Apr 2011 11:51
Hi again and thank you all! the pistons just poped out. Done the calipers there were both dirty clean them up and install them again, I got one of those vacum pumps bleed the sistem and still I can get the brakes working, check for leaks and every thing looks ok, bough a used brake pump and seams to pump the fluid the guy who selled to me try it with a some fluid an put is finger in the banjo bolt and it got presure. What could it be? Bad brake pump?
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- luistone
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
20 Apr 2011 12:01
Thank you all the pistons popped out! So I did both calipers and install them again, bough one of those vacuum pumps and bleed the system and still the brakes don’t work, checked for leaks and everything looks ok, bought a used brake pump because the one that came with the bike was a bit small (the guy who sell it to me said it was working even he try it putting is finger in the banjo bolt hole and it got pressure) so I installed the used pump bleed again and still no pressure. What could it be?
Thank you
Luis
Thank you
Luis
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- wireman
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
20 Apr 2011 15:13 - 20 Apr 2011 15:16
they can be a tempermental pain in the ass to say the least,sometimes you can gravity bleed them to get them started.
get an empty clean jar and fill it with 2-3" of brake fluid,then get a piece of clear vinyl tubing like they use on fish tanks that you buy at local hardware store making sure it fits tight onthe bleeder valve on caliper.
hook one end to a bleeder valve on one caliper and the other end done in the jar making sure it stays submerged in the brake fluid,then crack the bleeder valve open and let it sit for a few hours making sure to keep master cylinder topped off with fluid.
once you see fluid coming through the hose ,close bleeder valve and do same thing on other caliper then try bleeding brakes again.
dont forget the back brake,if you have a disc instead of drum its probably in same condition as front.
id pull the back wheel apart even if it has a drum brake,they werent the greatest of stoppers to begin with and 35 years probably hasnt helped it or the wheel bearings any
get an empty clean jar and fill it with 2-3" of brake fluid,then get a piece of clear vinyl tubing like they use on fish tanks that you buy at local hardware store making sure it fits tight onthe bleeder valve on caliper.
hook one end to a bleeder valve on one caliper and the other end done in the jar making sure it stays submerged in the brake fluid,then crack the bleeder valve open and let it sit for a few hours making sure to keep master cylinder topped off with fluid.
once you see fluid coming through the hose ,close bleeder valve and do same thing on other caliper then try bleeding brakes again.
dont forget the back brake,if you have a disc instead of drum its probably in same condition as front.

id pull the back wheel apart even if it has a drum brake,they werent the greatest of stoppers to begin with and 35 years probably hasnt helped it or the wheel bearings any

posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.
Last edit: 20 Apr 2011 15:16 by wireman.
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- TomW
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Re: KZ900 1976 front brake caliper help
20 Apr 2011 15:30
I've found that when bleeding brakes with a vacuum pump or fluid pump air can get into the system through the threads on the loosened bleeder. Put some teflon tape or some pipe dope on the bleeder threads to stop the air leak.
'78 KZ1000B2 LTD stock + Vetter Fairing & luggage
'91 ZG1200B5 Voyager XII, stock
'91 ZG1200B5 Voyager XII, stock
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