caliper rebuild questions

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  • ACR
    • Feb 2026
    #1

    caliper rebuild questions

    Hi all,

    Here are my dumb questions for the day.

    1) I'm rebuilding my brake calipers on my 1150 and they are pretty nasty (like REALLY nasty). I'm tempted to dip them in carb cleaner to get them spiffed up, but wasn't sure if it would be too harsh for the finish inside the piston housing or some other horrible thing might happen. Carb dip OK for disassembled caliber housing?

    2) Also, the pins that the pads slide on are really rough, I'm cleaning them as best I can, but I'm tempted to lubricate them with a touch of grease so the pads slide on them easily. What I don't want is for the first rain to wash the grease onto the brake pads. Is there a right way to lube the pins or should I shut up and put them together?

    3) I've found a lot of threads that talk about replaceing the pistons with SS. My impression is that they are available in UK but not in the States. Am I understanding this correctly? Is there a source in the US for such pistons, or is this something that even pertains to an 1150?

    thanks,
    Tags: None
    • cowboyup3371
      Forum LongTimer
      Past Site Supporter
      • Apr 2010
      • 13998
      • In Ohio Now
      #2
      Why not just use brake cleaner - this is what it's made for.
      Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

      1981 GS550T - My First
      1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
      2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

      Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
      Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
      and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

        Comment

        • Nessism
          Forum LongTimer
          GSResource Superstar
          Past Site Supporter
          Super Site Supporter
          • Mar 2006
          • 35793
          • Torrance, CA
          #3
          If you use carb dip or brake cleaner on the caliper bodies it will eat off the paint. I use Simple Green and a toothbrush to clean calipers.

          Some caliper grease on those sliding pins should be fine, just go easy though as the grease may drip when the calipers get hot so don't use very much.

          I'm unaware of a source of stainless steel pistons here in the US. You can reuse your old pistons as long as they are not pitted from rust. If you need new seals only use OEM Suzuki parts. The common K&L aftermarket brake system parts suck. You have been warned.
          Ed

          To measure is to know.

          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

            Comment

            • ACR
              #4
              Originally posted by cowboyup3371
              Why not just use brake cleaner - this is what it's made for.


              Guess I failed to mention that I was thinking of painting the calipers as well so the carb cleaner removing the gold paint would be a bonus. Brake cleaner doesn't remove paint does it?

                Comment

                • chuck hahn
                  Forum LongTimer
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • May 2009
                  • 25925
                  • Norman, Oklahoma
                  #5
                  Be sire to clean the grooves the seals set in VERY well so the new ones seat properly.
                  MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                  1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                  NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                  I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

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