stopping power.......

[skivit]

Needing to pick your collective brains for some info if i can,
I would like to fit stainless braided brake hoses to my gsx1100 to improve brake feel and for the looks, are there kits available off the shelf, or do you have to sort everything out yourself?
Also, is there any easy bolt on upgrades on the disc/calipers front? or is this really needed?

skivit

[doctorgonzo]

If you already has dual disc and slotted rotors on the front, I don't see much point in upgrading there. SS Brake line kits available off the shelf for some models, not sure about yours, but you can build them. Nessism lists a good source for the pieces parts, sure he'll chime in.

[skivit]

yep, dual discs and slotted up front, single on the rear. if the upgrades not needed then i'm happy with oe setup, dont need any more engine power, but stopping an extra few meters shorter can sometimes make a difference.
i live in the countryside, deer, badgers, rabbits etc all seem to take enjoyment of jumping out the verge in front of me, bad enough in the car, really bad on a bike, im leaning towards the conspiracy theory myself!!
skivit

[doctorgonzo]

Most people who do a swap on the front do it because it's only single disc, or to replace the solid rotors with slotted. Does it use the round pads or the rectangular? Round pad calipers would be the only other reason to consider a swap, but doubt it has them with slotted rotors. There are multiple sources for SS brake lines, and the proper fittings. I think Z1 and Flatout both sell them, and kits available from Heil, Galfer, and others. You might also look at a rebuild or replace of the Master Cylinder.

[tkent02]

Easiest way to get better stopping is with better pads, some new types have incredible bite. Short of that, sanding down the surface of your old pads may improve them somewhat, especially if they are hardened from age.

What year is your 1100?
The later ones stopped pretty well.

[skivit]

think i'll just go for a good set of pads, everyone seems to agree the oe brakes are good enough!!
will check the web for the ss brake lines and let you know how i get on.
engine should be off the frame this weekend, just need to unbolt it and lift it clear.
when i removed the rear caliper, just kinda started to think of what i wanted to do on the brake side of the rebuild.
thanks,
skivit

[catbed]

speiglerusa.com has SS brake lines too.

[renobruce]

think i'll just go for a good set of pads, everyone seems to agree the oe brakes are good enough!!

I don't. Adding SS lines to my GS1000 helped the braking considerably!

[tkent02]

everyone seems to agree the oe brakes are good enough!!

No one thinks the standard brakes are good enough!!! They suck!

They can be improved immensely with the addition of better pads and steel lines.

Newer calipers, bigger discs, it's all worth doing.

But the biggest bang for the buck improvement is better pads in my experience.

[doctorgonzo]

Yeah I meant (not gonna speaking for anyone else) If you already have dual disc with slotted rotors, it's probably not worth a swap because with good pads and SS lines, maybe with a better or rebuilt MC it will stop just fine.

[skivit]

oops, i meant keeping the standard discs and calipers, just fitting ss lines and better pads.
is it easy enough to fit the lines and does anyone have any reccomendations for a make of pads?
skivit.
its a 1980 model(missed that question, sorry!)

[posplayr]

FYI gs1100 Brake Upgrades

You might be interested, this is what I'm doing to my 83 GS1100ED

We talked about it , he seemed a little distracted (he was trying to write up the order or pads). We also discussed surfacing the disks and as we were finally ending the conversation he lights up and said "wow you are really going to notice the upgrades". OK So now I'm really looking forward to it. \\/ Safety First :grin:

83 GS1100ED brake upgrades
FERODO Sintered front
FERODO PLATINUM rear
Fresh surfaced rotors
New 14mm Master Cylinder (looking for someone else to verify)
New Slave cylinder kits

Existing SS lines

Reference links below.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=92472

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=823282#post823282

Good Luck

Posplayr :-D