1980 gs550e front master cylinder issues

[Guest]

I tried looking around the forums but could not find anything specific to the '80 550e.

My front MC started to leak...as in it no longer wanted to contain any fluid at all.

I tried to pull it apart, but it was stuck bad. Ended up ordering a used one off ebay, it looked clean enough so I didn't bother with a rebuild....well that was a mistake.

This new one is at least holding fluid, but its leaking as well.

since I cannot find reference to the correct parts, can someone either point me to the right direction to the correct part number for the front master cylinder rebuild kit or a correctly sized piston with a new aftermarket?

This is a single disc break bike (though I was told I should look at doing the dual disc upgrade in the future)

I am fairly new to this whole "do it yourself" vehicle fixing stuff, so bare with me as i ask silly questions.

Thanks in advance.

[steveb922]

Does this look like the right one?

http://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-gs550e-1980-t-e01-e02-e04-e18-e21-e22-e24-e25-e26-e30-e34_model13479/partslist/FIG-61.html#results

[Nessism]

I tried looking around the forums but could not find anything specific to the '80 550e.

My front MC started to leak...as in it no longer wanted to contain any fluid at all.

I tried to pull it apart, but it was stuck bad. Ended up ordering a used one off ebay, it looked clean enough so I didn't bother with a rebuild....well that was a mistake.

This new one is at least holding fluid, but its leaking as well.

since I cannot find reference to the correct parts, can someone either point me to the right direction to the correct part number for the front master cylinder rebuild kit or a correctly sized piston with a new aftermarket?

This is a single disc break bike (though I was told I should look at doing the dual disc upgrade in the future)

I am fairly new to this whole "do it yourself" vehicle fixing stuff, so bare with me as i ask silly questions.

Thanks in advance.

You did a nice job finding the GSR. Welcome. Now you need to continue on your quest for knowledge and now search for OEM Suzuki parts. Parts Outlaw is one of the forum favorite sources (in the USA) so you may want to check them out.

BTW, since your master cylinder gave up the ghost you should bite the bullet and tear down and rebuild the entire brake system. Pop out the piston in the caliper, replace the seals, and replace the brake line. Maintenance is good.

[mmattockx]

For a single caliper system you want a 14mm bore, for a dual caliper set up you want a 5/8" bore.


Mark

[loclhst]

Visually, all parts look the same. Except I cannot verify the piston parts as I could not get them out on my old master cylinder.

As far as a rebuild, perhaps at the end of this year. Last night when i replaced with the used part, everything seemed solid. At least for now.

After checking this morning, there was not much leakage, so what I saw last night could have just been from spillage or something. I will keep an eye on it for now.

Since this is the only bike I have, I would rather not take it out of commission, even for a few days. Especially after last years carb issued (since been fixed).

[mmattockx]

Visually, all parts look the same. Except I cannot verify the piston parts as I could not get them out on my old master cylinder.

I don't know if this was in reply to my post on the M/C size or not. The bore size should be cast into the body of the M/C somewhere so you can confirm bore without stripping it all apart.

Since this is the only bike I have, I would rather not take it out of commission, even for a few days. Especially after last years carb issued (since been fixed).

While I understand the sentiment, riding with a suspect brake system is a significantly bad idea and might ruin a lot more than just a few days of riding this year.


Mark

[loclhst]

Thank you all for the replies. So far she does not seem to be leaking anymore without the rebuild kit. I guess what I saw as leaking was a little spillage. I do at least have the rebuild kit on the way in case I have problems.

As far as the complete rebuild of the brake line, I will keep an eye on everything and look at doing that at a later point. I understand the consequences if something does happen.

Thank you all for the input.

[mustangflyr]

If the master cyl is stuck and you can't get it apart you need to drill a hole through the center of the bore out the blind end so you can drive out the piston assy with a punch. Then tap the hole for a 1/8 " pipe plug it's good to go, also if the bore is pitted consider having the m/c sleeved.

[loclhst]

If the master cyl is stuck and you can't get it apart you need to drill a hole through the center of the bore out the blind end so you can drive out the piston assy with a punch. Then tap the hole for a 1/8 " pipe plug it's good to go, also if the bore is pitted consider having the m/c sleeved.

I will work on my original one with a friend. I will look into this, though i am not a fan of tapping a hole and plugging it up just to pop it out. In the mean time, I was able to pick up a used and clean one on ebay which is currently working for me.