1980 gs 850 rear brake caliper

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  • gpz
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    1980 gs 850 rear brake caliper

    hi all when you rebuild your rear brake caliper do you split the caliper in half or is it possible to rebuild with the caliper in one piece thanks in advance
  • Steve
    GS Whisperer
    • Jun 2005
    • 35925
    • southwest oHIo

    #2
    I usually split it, but only after I have gotten the pistons out.

    .
    sigpic
    mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
    hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
    #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
    #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
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    Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
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    Comment

    • gpz

      #3
      thanks for your reply Steve but is it possible do you know to rebuild the caliper without splitting when you split caliper is there any seals in that need to be replaced thanks again for your reply

      Comment

      • Dogma
        Forum Guru
        • Sep 2007
        • 7143
        • Mason, OH (SW)

        #4
        There's just a simple O-ring between the caliper halves. It's been a few years, but I think the rebuild kits come with one. I don't see it listed separately in the parts diagram.
        Dogma
        --
        O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you! - David

        Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense. - Carl Sagan

        --
        '80 GS850 GLT
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        Comment

        • wymple
          Forum Sage
          Past Site Supporter
          • Apr 2014
          • 1893
          • SE Iowa

          #5
          Hardware stores have tons of O rings. Just take the old ones with you. Never seen a problem with that.

          Comment

          • Steve
            GS Whisperer
            • Jun 2005
            • 35925
            • southwest oHIo

            #6
            The o-ring that I have seen there is usuall a square-section ring, which is harder to find at the hardware store.

            As dogma says, it comes with the rebuild kit.

            .
            sigpic
            mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
            hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
            #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
            #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
            Family Portrait
            Siblings and Spouses
            Mom's first ride
            Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
            (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

            Comment

            • gpz

              #7
              i would rather not split the caliper if i can rekit it without , so is it possible

              Comment

              • cowboyup3371
                Forum LongTimer
                Past Site Supporter
                • Apr 2010
                • 13998
                • In Ohio Now

                #8
                Why are you reluctant to split it? You'll want to replace the seals around the pistons and then ensure your pistons are in good shape
                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

                • Steve
                  GS Whisperer
                  • Jun 2005
                  • 35925
                  • southwest oHIo

                  #9
                  Originally posted by gpz
                  i would rather not split the caliper if i can rekit it without , so is it possible
                  Yes, it's possible, but it's SO much easier and quicker if you just split it.

                  There is really nothing to splitting the caliper. Two bolts hold it together. Once you get them out, you may have to tap the caliper to knock the two pieces apart. You will see the o-ring sitting there. Now you can have EASY access to the inside of the caliper for easy cleaning and re-assembly.

                  .
                  sigpic
                  mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                  hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                  #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                  #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                  Family Portrait
                  Siblings and Spouses
                  Mom's first ride
                  Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                  (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                  Comment

                  • gpz

                    #10
                    thanks for all your reply's the only thing that worry's me is i dont think that the caliper repair kit comes with the o-ring ,im over in the UK ,ive seen no mention of the o-rings with the kit ive bought anyway we will see thanks again for all your reply's

                    Comment

                    • Guest

                      #11
                      This is the part you need:

                      https://www.discountbikespares.co.uk...750-GS550.html

                      And as the others said, it's much easier to overhaul the caliper when it's split.

                      Comment

                      • roeme
                        Forum Sage
                        Past Site Supporter
                        • Jul 2015
                        • 1206
                        • Switzerland

                        #12
                        If you're going to rebuild it, then you split.

                        Else it's not called rebuilding, but half-assing.

                        This is not the correct approach to motorcycle work in general, and to vintage bikes in particular.

                        All you do is cause yourself more work down the line at best, or doing serious damage at worst.
                        #1: 1979 GS 550 EC "Red" – Very first Bike / Overhaul thread        New here? ☛ Read the Top 10 Newbie mistakes thread
                        #2: 1978 GS 550 EC "Blue" – Can't make it a donor / "Rebuild" thread     Manuals (and much more): See Cliff's homepage here
                        #3: 2014 Moto Guzzi V7 II Racer – One needs a runner while wrenching
                        #4: 1980 Moto Guzzi V65C – Something to chill

                        Comment

                        • hannibal
                          Forum Sage
                          • Jun 2015
                          • 1033
                          • Washington DC

                          #13
                          Originally posted by gpz
                          thanks for all your reply's the only thing that worry's me is i dont think that the caliper repair kit comes with the o-ring ,im over in the UK ,ive seen no mention of the o-rings with the kit ive bought anyway we will see thanks again for all your reply's
                          Did you buy the OEM "piston and cup set"? If so, it comes with the O ring between the halves.
                          Jordan

                          1977 Suzuki GS750 (My first bike)
                          2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
                          1973 BMW R75/5

                          Comment

                          • cowboyup3371
                            Forum LongTimer
                            Past Site Supporter
                            • Apr 2010
                            • 13998
                            • In Ohio Now

                            #14
                            Originally posted by hannibal
                            Did you buy the OEM "piston and cup set"? If so, it comes with the O ring between the halves.
                            Jordan, the piston and cup set you refer to is for the master cylinder; GPZ is asking about the caliper itself where he'll need the individual seals
                            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

                            • gpz

                              #15
                              thanks guys for all the replys especially steve who put up the link for the seal for in between the caliper halves which i have just ordered

                              Comment

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