Front Caliper Swappability

[Adler]

To the best of my knowledge there are 3 styles of front caliper on our bikes. I have the oldest style and it seems that rebuild parts for it are sparse.

If I can't get the parts I need to rebuild mine, I have been looking to replace it with a newer style.

Will this bolt up without changing forks or requiring an adapter?
Are the models with 2 front calipers the same calipers as the single disc models?
Which caliper should I switch to?

[7981GS]

As far as I have DONE, the '80-'83 calipers are a direct bolt-on.
Hope that helps.
I also have several '79 complete calipers that I could sell you.

Daniel

[Adler]

That is helpful, indeed. Its good to have something I can fall back on if I can't find the bits I need.

[hampshirehog]

Daniel is right for most GSs......but you've got an L; they don't necessarily follow the rule. You'll have to get a reply from someone who has swapped out on an L model to be sure. Either that or do some matching up via the fisches (if an E caliper has the same part number as your L caliper you can swap through the whole E range up to the mid 80s)

[Adler]

Interesting, the fische show that the E and L use different model calipers but they look very much the same. I won't know if they bolt up or not until someone tells me.

[7981GS]

How about I take one off of a '79 L model and see if it bolts up to an '80 G or '79 S model fork?
Will that be conclusive?

Daniel

[hampshirehog]

How about I take one off of a '79 L model and see if it bolts up to an '80 G or '79 S model fork?
Will that be conclusive?

Daniel

That will show what fits what - the G and the S calipers fit loads of other GSs.

[tkent02]

If they fit your bike, the later GS calipers with rectangular pads give far better braking.

[salty_monk]

L model calipers are not interchangeable with E. Maybe you can swap the sliders over to make it so... not tried that.

Kawasaki Concours/Ninja calipers are the best option for more power & "newness". Concours goes up to 2005.

You need a kit to fit them that I developed & had made for peops here but of course it's not the lowest cost option you have.

[Adler]

Ok, I bought this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200558941159#ht_500wt_956

Despite there being no description and the picture looks like butt. Hard to beat THAT price. No doubt it will need a rebuild when it gets here but at least those kits are available.

[hampshirehog]

Ok, I bought this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200558941159#ht_500wt_956

Despite there being no description and the picture looks like butt. Hard to beat THAT price. No doubt it will need a rebuild when it gets here but at least those kits are available.

Got to be worth a go at that money. Go careful on removing the bleed nipple - they snap real easy so use plenty of penetrating oil (proper stuff, not WD-40 etc), heat etc when removing it.

[Adler]

Got to be worth a go at that money. Go careful on removing the bleed nipple - they snap real easy so use plenty of penetrating oil (proper stuff, not WD-40 etc), heat etc when removing it.

Agreed, I will not be stingy with the penetrating oil. I had one of those nipples snap on a wheel cylinder once and that was on a car that was only 15 years old. I figured for that money it'll be worth it as a paper weight.