Where to get Caliper parts

[domiles1]

Rebuilding a pair of front calipers from an early 80s GS750 but I find I'm missing some parts. Anyone know where I can get pad springs, pad guides, pad shims? Preferably UK, but beggars can't be choosers!

[Nessism]

Local dealer?

[hampshirehog]

Robinsons. Springs are £7.12, guides £3.50 and shims £11.37 (82 model - I just checked for you). All seems a bit pricey to me but you can get 10% off if you mention you're in a club.

http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/

[domiles1]

Ye, been to Robinsons already, thanks Hampshirehog. Very good shop has helped me out alot in the past, but they have no springs in stock and it'll take 3 weeks to get them from Japan! Can't believe there's no springs in the UK!!!

[hampshirehog]

Which caliper / bike / year are you looking for? I can have a look in my heap of junk (sorry, elusive and rare parts) tomorrow and see if I've got some.

[domiles1]

Thanks Hampshirehog, its front calipers, the ones with the rectangle pads not circular. It looks to me like they put the same front calipers on GS 750, 850 and 1000 for quite a few years, through early 80s anyway. I've seen a diagram for 1983 750 calipers that matches what I have on my bench at the moment! I'm missing one pad spring, one pad guide and two shims. I'm told the calipers will work 100% without any of these items and that they are only to stop rattling and squealing - any thoughts?

[hampshirehog]

They will work ok without any of those the bits. The guide pads are the most important bits in my opinion as they stop the caliper holder getting worn by the tabs on the pads and best not to do too many miles (100s- 1000s)without them in. I've got a few sets of 83 calipers - I'll have a look tomorrow to see if I've got any of those bits.

I doubt many of the shim pads made it past first service over here as they came with rust built in from the factory - and all the apprentices forgot to clip them on to the pads when they got replaced anyway!