Why you need to pull the brakes!

[Cdnpt1]

Hey there. I just picked up an 80 GS750E last week. The bike is very clean, everything spotless, and, according to the PO, the brakes lines have been cleaned out and brakes bled, and "now they work great."

Well, great meant I could barely roll the bike, and I go 245, so I have a bit to lean with. I couldn't squeeze the brake more than a quarter inch. So, last night I pulled everything off the front. Here is what I found:

Master Cylinder inside and underneath:




Right caliper, nice and clean right?



now the truth: bore and piston:




now the left:




fluid draining from left before it was taken apart:



So, now the master cylinder has been taken completely apart and the body is in carb dip. along with the metal plate from under the cap. I have to pull the distributor block off the fork brace to make sure it is cleaned out as well. New seals, o-ring etc are all on order, and I am looking in to new stainless lines for the whole front. Next will be the complete rear brake tear down.

Before I got on this forum, I must have ridden a dozen bikes, all old, all "now the brakes work great" from the PO, without doing anything more than bleeding and riding. There really is a god for clueless motorcycle riders such as myself I guess.

Moral of the story: PULL THE BRAKES.

[Steve]

Just another reminder that virtually all Previous Owners are liars and clueless idiots.

Unless, of course, you sell a bike, making you a "Previous Owner".

.

[Cdnpt1]

I never thought of that, great, now I have to think about all the guys I may have killed off by passing on crappy brakes! Maybe that's natures way of thinning out the herd so only the smart riders survive eh?

I am beginning to think that this place is going to give me about all I need to open my own shop one of these years ; ). Man, I have come across "professional" mechanics that don't know half of what has been passed on here.

[Steve]

Man, I have come across "professional" mechanics that don't know half of what has been passed on here.

Just remember one thing: "Professional" does not necessarily mean they are good at it, only that they get paid for it.

.

[Guest]

Hey there. I just picked up an 80 GS750E last week. The bike is very clean, everything spotless, and, according to the PO, the brakes lines have been cleaned out and brakes bled, and "now they work great."

Moral of the story: PULL THE BRAKES.

More like cleaned out 15 years ago!

Trust but verify.

-Dave

[Cdnpt1]

Well, I pulled the brakes on the 450 and got lucky but after nearly herniating myself trying to move the 750, and after reading up on here, I pretty much knew what to expect, but I was still a little shocked, particularly by the master cylinder. Amazing how good something can look then have all that crap gumming it up.

I found here after a little digging that motorcycle mechanics don't even have to have taken any kind of formal education to work as "professional" mechanics. I don't think that is necessarily mandatory, and there are great mechanics out there, but they are like hen's teeth.

[Nessism]

Next step is to scrub down the parts really well and inspect everything. If the master cylinder bore or the pistons are pitted, they are junk.

Original Suzuki brake system parts are superior to the aftermarket K&L junk sold by places like Z1 Enterprises.

It's also critical to replace the brake lines since they age like all rubber parts, and there is no way to clean them on the inside.

Good luck

[240punk]

I've been trying to find the information for my bikes PO but can't seem to track it down.
I've got some words for him...
I need to find a good quality brake line.

[Nessism]

I've been trying to find the information for my bikes PO but can't seem to track it down.
I've got some words for him...
I need to find a good quality brake line.

Don't be afraid to use the search function... http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=114521

[240punk]

Don't be afraid to use the search function... http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=114521

Fantastic. This was actually my first thought of it so you saved me the time.
Thank you.

[Cdnpt1]

I bought a line From rennsport, do a search on eBay for a custom brake line. It should be here this week and I will put up a pic and post some comments.