brake caliper rebuilds
- Scirocco
-
- Offline
- Premium Member
-
Registered
- Never change a running system
- Posts: 4409
- Thanks: 2268
Re: brake caliper rebuilds
04 Dec 2018 11:47
The copper washers are soft and the arc will crush flatten when you install the brake line.
Don“t over tighten the Banjo bolts, they can snap easily.
Don“t over tighten the Banjo bolts, they can snap easily.
My 1975 Z 1 B 900 Project
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/605133...ears-deep-sleep-mode
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/605133...ears-deep-sleep-mode
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- TexasKZ
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
Registered
- Posts: 7924
- Thanks: 2504
Re: brake caliper rebuilds
05 Dec 2018 17:01I suspect the coating is more about resistance to pitting and low friction against the seals than it is about wear.Nessism wrote: The pistons were seized tight on my 750 calipers as well but eventually I managed to free them up. Unfortunately, two of the three caliper pistons were pitted and had to be replaced, at a fairly high price. Kawasaki isn't doing us any favors in that regard. I just checked the availability and it seems the pistons are no longer available from Kawasaki but there are a few kicking around on ebay. Fortunately, the piston seals and dust boots are still available. I strongly advise purchasing OEM parts, not aftermarket like K&L. I've had bad experiences with K&L brake system parts on three different occasions so use at your own risk. You can clean the calipers in solvent just as long as you keep any rubber parts you plan to reuse out of the sauce.
I wonder if there is a newer brake system that uses pistons of the same dimensions? The manufacturers often (always?) buy brake components from outside vendors. Sometimes competing models will use the same calipers with some irrelevant difference. For instance, the ZRX has a pair of six piston calipers up front. A full rebuild using Kawasaki parts is shockingly expensive. Suzuki used the exact same calipers on the Hyabusa, but with anodized aluminum pistons instead of Kawasaki's plated steel ones. The aluminum ones are a fraction of the weight and cost of the steel ones. Also, Suzuki sells the seals for a fraction of what Kawasaki charges. Exact same seals.
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
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Tvag06
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Posts: 116
- Thanks: 5
Re: brake caliper rebuilds
10 Dec 2018 15:03
Thanks. I have it all ready to install but just too cold. I've got a heater but I only get any free time after 9pm. With work at 7am, my motivation is lacking.
'80 KZ440D - Stripped for rebuild -
kzrider.com/kunena/11-projects/611352-st...ng-a-rusty-80-kz440d
'04 Suzuki DL650 K4 V Strom
'04 Suzuki DL650 K4 V Strom
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Irish Yobbo
-
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Posts: 380
- Thanks: 93
Re: brake caliper rebuilds
11 Dec 2018 13:42
Probably a little late, but partzilla do have OEM pistons - I bought two of them for my KZ750 a few weeks ago:
www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/43020-1096
They're not cheap though. It's strange that most caliper pistons are a 'cup' shape with the open end facing the pad, but the KZ pistons are solid chunks of steel. I guess that's for the softer compound on the surface to reduce brake squeal?
They're not cheap though. It's strange that most caliper pistons are a 'cup' shape with the open end facing the pad, but the KZ pistons are solid chunks of steel. I guess that's for the softer compound on the surface to reduce brake squeal?
1981 KZ750 LTD
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Tvag06
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Posts: 116
- Thanks: 5
Re: brake caliper rebuilds
12 Dec 2018 05:01
I've only had 2 bikes this kz750 and a cb550. The cb also had solid pistons. I've never seen a hollow one. lol
'80 KZ440D - Stripped for rebuild -
kzrider.com/kunena/11-projects/611352-st...ng-a-rusty-80-kz440d
'04 Suzuki DL650 K4 V Strom
'04 Suzuki DL650 K4 V Strom
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Street Fighter LTD