How much preemptive brake work

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11 Oct 2024 15:20 #905018 by kylemontmont
How much preemptive brake work was created by kylemontmont
I’m trying to decided how much brake work I should do on my late grandfather’s 83 kz440 ltd 8500 miles that hasn’t been register in 15 years.  I have it running and the brakes worked fine when I got it up to 20mph on grass,  I know I at least need to flush the brake fluid, but I’m deciding if I should preemptively do more than that, like rebuilding the caliper, replacing the pads, and maybe replacing the brake lines.

Pads probably aren’t anywhere near worn out, but I imagine the pad material has gotten better enough to be worth putting some new ones on.  For everything’s else my concern is just rubber age.

Old bike barn is where I was looking at for the pads and caliper rebuild kit.

Any advice welcome, thanks

1983 KZ440 LTD

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11 Oct 2024 15:46 #905019 by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic How much preemptive brake work
I would do a full system tear down and clean out.  There is a very high likelihood of cruddy brown brake fluid chunks in the system.  You can reassemble using the old seals, but replacing them with OEM parts is highly recommended.  Aftermarket brake parts are risky, particularly K&L.  Then, use new brake lines.  For pads, you can reuse them if they are working well.  Or replace them.  Disc pads are only about $20 a set anyway.  
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11 Oct 2024 17:14 - 12 Oct 2024 08:01 #905022 by H1Vindicator
Replied by H1Vindicator on topic How much preemptive brake work
Replace the rear brake shoes.  if not and the rear wheel locks, you have been warned. For the front and rear be sure to use a brake grease, applied sparingly at the appropriate lube points. don't get any on the braking surfaces.

edit. get new, not nos. nos is new but old, and old is the problem.
Last edit: 12 Oct 2024 08:01 by H1Vindicator.
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11 Oct 2024 17:35 #905026 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic How much preemptive brake work
On old rear wheel drum break shoes the brake pads can come off !!!
The glue is getting old and brittle, so be carefull and inspect them !!!
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11 Oct 2024 17:40 #905028 by H1Vindicator
Replied by H1Vindicator on topic How much preemptive brake work
There's nothing to inspect !!! replace 'em !!! 
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14 Oct 2024 20:21 #905117 by kylemontmont
Replied by kylemontmont on topic How much preemptive brake work

I would do a full system tear down and clean out.  There is a very high likelihood of cruddy brown brake fluid chunks in the system.  You can reassemble using the old seals, but replacing them with OEM parts is highly recommended.  Aftermarket brake parts are risky, particularly K&L.  Then, use new brake lines.  For pads, you can reuse them if they are working well.  Or replace them.  Disc pads are only about $20 a set anyway.  
Are there new OEM parts? I haven't come across anything that says it's OEM, just nondescript caliper rebuild kits and unbranded pads mainly.  I've linked below the old bike barn rebuild kit I was looking at.

oldbikebarn.com/collections/kz440/produc...-caliper-rebuild-kit

1983 KZ440 LTD

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14 Oct 2024 20:23 #905118 by kylemontmont
Replied by kylemontmont on topic How much preemptive brake work

Replace the rear brake shoes.  if not and the rear wheel locks, you have been warned. For the front and rear be sure to use a brake grease, applied sparingly at the appropriate lube points. don't get any on the braking surfaces.

edit. get new, not nos. nos is new but old, and old is the problem.
Good to know, I had not considered how much worse pad failure would be with a drum brake.

1983 KZ440 LTD

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  • Kelly E
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15 Oct 2024 08:40 #905140 by Kelly E
Replied by Kelly E on topic How much preemptive brake work
We get most of our brake parts from brakecrafters.com including stainless steel caliper pistons.

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours

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15 Oct 2024 12:00 #905150 by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic How much preemptive brake work

I would do a full system tear down and clean out.  There is a very high likelihood of cruddy brown brake fluid chunks in the system.  You can reassemble using the old seals, but replacing them with OEM parts is highly recommended.  Aftermarket brake parts are risky, particularly K&L.  Then, use new brake lines.  For pads, you can reuse them if they are working well.  Or replace them.  Disc pads are only about $20 a set anyway.  
Are there new OEM parts? I haven't come across anything that says it's OEM, just nondescript caliper rebuild kits and unbranded pads mainly.  I've linked below the old bike barn rebuild kit I was looking at.

oldbikebarn.com/collections/kz440/produc...-caliper-rebuild-kit
Partzilla.com

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