Front break help

[GSHT1]

i recently bought a 1979 GS850. bike runs and rides beautifully. just a few quarks expected from a 33 year old bike. one thing i cant figure out is the front breaks. they wont work. i have rebuilt the calipers and checked all lines for holes leaks and loose ends. my next step is to rebuild the M/C. i dont think its pushing any Fluid. any advice will be much apprecieated. thanks in advance.

[mike_of_bbg]

First, welcome. I see this is your first post.

Is the brake lever moving? Were you able to get any brake fluid through to bleed the caliper after you serviced it?

That being said, it is recommended that the master cylinder and calipers be serviced - and the brake lines replaced - every two years (recommended by Suzuki in the service manuals). That's a bit conservative, but then again, how many of these 30-year-old bikes are still rolling around with the 30-year-old original brake lines on them? I'd definitely replace the caliper piston set and the brake lines with braided steel lines. Z1 sells Goodridge lines which get good reviews. Also lots of posts around about making your own from Earl's parts - the search function is your friend. I've done that and it wasn't bad at all (then again, I only have one caliper). Highly recommended to go with OEM parts to rebuild the master cylinder.

Have you come across BassCliff's archive of GS info?

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

He should be along before too long to give you your "official" welcome.

[koolaid_kid]

Be careful with the master cylinder. That part is unique to the 79 model. I think parts may still be available, but you need to check before tearing into it.

[GSHT1]

thank you and yes im new here. i have been working my way around the forum and there is a ton of good info. i have already found a past thread on similar issues and have been helpful. i think im going to call Z1 and see about a rebuild kit and the lines for the bike. calipers are already done. but tons of info and i think ill like it here.

[GSHT1]

how is it unique to the 79 model?

[mike_of_bbg]

79 850G? The only MC part not showing as available are the screws holding on the reservoir.

http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=95144&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1979&fveh=2141

Alpha-sports actually shows the whole assembly as being available, but I'm not even going to mention the price because it's probably more than you paid for the bike.

If worse comes to worse, you can find another master cylinder (with mirror threads) with the same bore size that will clamp on your handlebars.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. GSHT1,


I'm going to dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[koolaid_kid]

Good deal mike. The 79 was the first 850 model. It had VM carbs, a kcikstarter and the old style brakes. In 80 they revamped it and put on CV carbs and newer brake system and the kickstarter went away. Still an excellent bike, but just a one year run.