Here's one for you - Front brakes seizing but then worked

[natejelovich]

Pistons were fine. Will try and post a picture here in a bit.

Just got a quote on stainless steel lines from H-E-L USA (found via the site). Sounds like it's about $182 for all four (3 line front, 1 rear). That' with 10% discount (for being a forum member).

Pretty comparable? I saw a thread where one of the members built their own. Can't seem to find it again, and not sure how feasible it is for me to do.

I've been looking online at different sites for a master cylinder rebuild kit for a 1979 GS 850 but not having much luck with my particular year...

[chuck hahn]

Completely clean the insides of the calipers..ESPECIALLY the groove the seal sits in, new seals, clean the entire master cylinder properly. Ive tried stainless lines and quite honestly ( to my sense of feeling them ) theyre pretty much a money opit wastage as far as I am concerned. New rubber lines will do you just fine and cost you less.but thats my opinion only. You want sparkles and farckles then get the stainless.

[koolaid_kid]

Chuck, it may depend on the individual bike. On my GS it was night and day.
Nate, that sounds a bit high. IMHO, rear ones are a waste of money, I seldom use my rear brake. BassCliff has both a list of vendors and the method to make your own. I paid ~$100 for my front ones on my GS, for all 3 lines. There are lots of vendors, I got Galphers. Goodyear is a popular brand.

[Dogma]

Chuck, it may depend on the individual bike. On my GS it was night and day.
Nate, that sounds a bit high. IMHO, rear ones are a waste of money, I seldom use my rear brake. BassCliff has both a list of vendors and the method to make your own. I paid ~$100 for my front ones on my GS, for all 3 lines. There are lots of vendors, I got Galphers. Goodyear is a popular brand.

Building your own with Earl's fittings is also a viable option, though I recently heard of problems with a vendor that was popular here. It made a huge difference on my bike too. That said, I have seen other GS brakes with stock rubber lines that still have a good feel on the lever. Still not as firm as the stainless, but good.

[natejelovich]

Thanks all!

I'm going to do some more research on the brake lines. Can't decide if spending the $$ on SS is worth it figuring how much I will probably realistically ride up here in the wet NW... Especially given the recommendation to continue replacing them ever few years.

As promised, here's a picture of the piston:



Here's another one of the inside caliper, cleaned up a bit:



On the master cylinder, the top "hole" is nothing. Cleaned it out a bit more with a pipe cleaner and it doesn't go anywhere.

Thanks!

Nate

[koolaid_kid]

You don't replace the SS lines. Only the rubber ones, because they stretch out.

[natejelovich]

Ah cool, thanks. That does change things a bit...

[koolaid_kid]

AFA the 79 M/C rebuild kit, I have only seen it one place. AplhaSports? I don't remember, but perhaps someone here who does know can chime in?

[Dogma]

...
On the master cylinder, the top "hole" is nothing. Cleaned it out a bit more with a pipe cleaner and it doesn't go anywhere.

Thanks!

Nate

Yes, it does. There are two holes the pass through to the main bore. At the bottom of one of them is a tiny hole, about 0.5 mm. Congealed brake fluid will form a plug in this hole that looks like a blind bottom of the larger portion of the hole. Keep working at it with brake cleaner and a piece of wire from a stiff brush. Mine took a few doses of brake cleaner and digging before I was able to get the wire through. The fact that yours doesn't go through explains your brake locking up.

[GateKeeper]

For your SS Brake lines have a look here

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1549077&postcount=225

and here

http://stores.ebay.ca/Rennsport-Auto-Parts

get genuine Suzuki parts for the rubber seals and such, don't use kits

I would suggest to get one extra seal for front and rear, if your like me, and you just happen to tear one....

.

[natejelovich]

Yes, it does...

Dang... ok will do. Thanks!

[natejelovich]

Looks like building my own might be best option:

http://www.bikebandit.com/goodridge-universal-brake-line-stainless-steel-w-chrome-ends

http://www.bikebandit.com/goodridge-banjo-bolt

[koolaid_kid]

If you want the priciest parts on the planet, go to BikeBandit.
Otherwise, search elsewhere. Let me check out a couple of places for you. (I am waiting on tech support, which takes forever.)
Do you want all 4, or just the front 3?

[natejelovich]

Dang it! You know all...

That would be super helpful, thank you! I've been checking around and it's a whole new world out there.

I'm thinking just doing all four... might as well put the upfront investment into it if the price makes sense.

Thank you!!

[koolaid_kid]

O.K. You have a one year bike, so we may have to take some measurements and have some custom lines made up. I'll let you know. I take it the bars are stock?