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Front Brake Caliper Rebuild

ALANRIDER7

ALANRIDER7

MeowMeowMeow
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Location
The Back Of Beyond
Moto(s)
GSXR
This is off of a 2 piston VFR750 front brake, but the principles apply to most calipers. The brake calipers are probably the most neglected parts of a motorcycle. They can be pretty beat up after relatively low miles. Heat and dirt are killers.

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I use compressed air to push the pistons out. This picture shows why you shouldn't just jam the pistons back in the caliper body when replacing pads. All that skank goes right to where the seals live. Leaking brake fluid is no fun. The dirt on the piston skirt causes it to bind up.

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These should have been done a long time ago. The skank on the pistons causes the pads to drag and wear prematurely. This can also fuxor your rotors. Not bleeding the brakes often enough contributes to this kind of buildup.

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By cleaning out the muck and making it sparkle, the brakes are on their way to 100% again. I use scotch brite pads and brake cleaner. Rinsing everything with warm soapy water is a must. I use compressed air to dry things.

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hmm cool stuff Allan. I actually just got new sets of seals for my 6 pot tokiko calipers, cost my $75 for oe kawi stuff, as i am planning on doing the exact same thing you did. Did you use a parts washer at all? We have one in our fab shop in santa cruz and i was wondering it it would be ok to use on brake parts. Do you use any other solvents other than brake cleaner? As far as polishing pistons goes, i am assuming you did not use a buffing wheel and polishing compound. I was thinking about using them but am afraid i would would remove to much metal from the pistons and change their dimensions. Thanks for the write up, nice work.
 
Mike95060 said:
hmm cool stuff Allan. I actually just got new sets of seals for my 6 pot tokiko calipers, cost my $75 for oe kawi stuff, as i am planning on doing the exact same thing you did. Did you use a parts washer at all? We have one in our fab shop in santa cruz and i was wondering it it would be ok to use on brake parts. Do you use any other solvents other than brake cleaner? As far as polishing pistons goes, i am assuming you did not use a buffing wheel and polishing compound. I was thinking about using them but am afraid i would would remove to much metal from the pistons and change their dimensions. Thanks for the write up, nice work.
Click to expand...

I clean the muck off with gray scotchbrite (red if it's really nasty) and then carefully use my polishing wheel. I clean everything except the seals with brake cleaner. A little soapy water and compressed air finish it off.
 
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