The latter has original unrestored calipers and master cylinder with only a fluid change.The brake lever is firm and solid with powerful stopping.
On the other bike, the lever was squashy when I got it. I completely rebuilt calipers and master cylinder with Suzuki kits. I have done a good dozen Suzuki brake rebuilds and think I know what I'm doing. But the brake lever is still squashy and the brakes abyssmal. They have new EBC Ferrodo platinum pads that have done about 300 miles. The lever needs to be full hand pulled in until it almost touches the grip before you'll get adequate stopping.
Both bikes have original brake hoses and the squishy brake bike is very low mile and in all but showroom condition. The other one is a "used" but tidy bike.
The squish is not air. I spent a lot of time bleeding and you can pump as much as you like, it doesn't get firmer (like it does with air in the lines).
Was there a change to master cylinder diameter ? (they had some variation, for example, among KZ1300s).
Is everybody else's 1980 GS1100e lever squishy or firm ?
I find it hard to believe that it could be due to swelling hoses (?) but any comments appreciated.
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