Looking for opinions on brake rebuilds...

[hikermikem]

Ahhhhhhh........ Biking was in the air here today in CT. Temps in the 40's, bright & sunny, and I passed a bunch of happy bikers out there today!

Started me thinking about the front brake job I need to do on my '82 GS1100G.

I'm planning on replacing the brake lines with 2 SS ones, new pads, & flush the fluid/replace with DOT-4.

My question is: Should I rebuild both calipers and the master cylinder as well? Nothing leaks now & they've worked just fine so far...

While I'm at it, how about petcock rebuild kits - do they work?

Thanks in advance for any & all thoughts on the matter.

Mike

[willie]

As easy as it is to rebuild the calipers, if it were my bike, I'd buy a pair of boots and orings for each caliper and tear into them. That way you'll have the peace of mind of knowing there isn't any build up of crud in either caliper.
Or......you could pass on the rebuild entirely and upgrade to better calipers off a Kaw as detailed elsewhere. Thats going to be my next upgrade even though I rebuilt my calipers about 200 miles ago. Hey, I have an idea....wanna buy my recently rebuilt calipers?
Willie in TN

[ptm]

Unless you have religiously replaced the brake fluid every two years since 1982, you should rebuild them. It's not too hard and you can be sure they'll be there when you need them. You can still get all the parts from a Suzuki dealer (or BikeBandit, etc.).

I've gotten several sets of SS brake lines from http://www.paragonperformance.com/Suzuki%20GS1100.html - quality stuff and they're great people to work with.

I've heard (and had) mixed results with petcock rebuild kits. If you can afford it, you should consider replacing the entire assembly.

[zuzu]

Z1enterprise has the best prices I could find on Petcock valves. You can't beat there Customer Service and top quality parts. Here is a link.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/SearchResult.aspx?All=True&KeyWords=petcock

Check out the brake parts also.

[spyug]

I believe most manufacturers recommend caliper rebuilds every 3 years or so. If you haven't had them done in a while or you don't know, I would do them as the guys recommend.

I've rebuilt 6 or 7 calipers in the last 2 years and everyone had some issue. Usually it is the piston seal or piston itself. Gunge gets in behind the seal and distorts it and or causes it to split. Water in the system causes rust to build up in the bore and or on the piston. Rust on the piston causes the chrome to flake and pits start to form. Rust can even cause the piston to bind in the bore.

If you find the piston has pitted anywhere in the area that moves in the bore you will need to replace it as if reused rust will again form quite quickly creating another unsafe situation.

Brakes should not be messed with so if in doubt, check and rebuild everything. If you don't feel you are up to it, please take it to a pro and have it done right.

As a habit now, whenever I obtain a new bike (new to me) I check and usually replace wheel bearings and clean and rebuild calipers and master cylinders. Once you've done it a few times it is quick and easy to do.As the guys say, it will give you peace of mind.

Good luck with it.

Cheers,
spyug.

[robertob]

As a habit now, whenever I obtain a new bike (new to me) I check and usually replace wheel bearings and clean and rebuild calipers and master cylinders.

I do the same thing. No bike leaves my garage without both wheels coming off, wheel bearings checked and/or replaced, brake calipers and master disassembled and new rubber parts.

You will need to replace your lines - according to the Suzuki FSM the stock lines should be replaced every two years as preventative maintenance.

[hampshirehog]

If you go for new seals and boots make sure that you get the right quality. There are some which have rubber more akin to jelly than anything else and once they've even so much had a sniff of fluid expand and don't fit.