• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Cheap brake upgrade...

tkent02

tkent02

Forum LongTimer
Past Site Supporter
Just put a set of front calipers from a '83 GS1100 with EBC pads on my '79 GS1000, I would say slightly improved braking over the stock calipers with Vesrah pads.
Little bit easier to get the max stopping out of the tires with two fingers.

Bolt on swap, zero modifications required on anything.
 
tkent02 said:
Just put a set of front calipers from a '83 GS1100 with EBC pads on my '79 GS1000, I would say slightly improved braking over the stock calipers with Vesrah pads.
Little bit easier to get the max stopping out of the tires with two fingers.

Bolt on swap, zero modifications required on anything.
Click to expand...

Are you still using the stock MC. If so, changing to the later rectanglular shaped one will improve response even better! I'm running that same combination on the 850 but with Premier pads. Great bite.
 
The '79 calipers take the round pads right? If so, I've found that they make more squeaking noises compared to the later rectangular pad calipers. I trust you regarding the braking power difference. Good to know they are interchangeable.
 
49er said:
Are you still using the stock MC. If so, changing to the later rectanglular shaped one will improve response even better! I'm running that same combination on the 850 but with Premier pads. Great bite.
Click to expand...

Yes, stock round MC, don't have the rectangular type laying around!








Nessism said:
The '79 calipers take the round pads right? If so, I've found that they make more squeaking noises compared to the later rectangular pad calipers. I trust you regarding the braking power difference. Good to know they are interchangeable.
Click to expand...

Why yes, now that you mention it they did squeak! And yes the '79 has the old round pads.

Didn't squeak at first, didn't stop much either. I put on some Vesrah pads and the braking improved quite a bit, the squeaking started at the same time.

But now it stops a bit better, with no squeaking at all.

And I find I have two of the larger discs for the single disc bikes laying around, I can do that other mod with the Kawasaki calipers, for even more braking.

Pretty soon it will stop almost as well as a 1990 something bike!
 
Never mind...my mod is a bolt up, but requires the whole front end...I was typing before I thought.....
 
Last edited:
tkent02 said:
Yes, stock round MC, don't have the rectangular type laying around!








Why yes, now that you mention it they did squeak! And yes the '79 has the old round pads.

Didn't squeak at first, didn't stop much either. I put on some Vesrah pads and the braking improved quite a bit, the squeaking started at the same time.
But now it stops a bit better, with no squeaking at all.
And I find I have two of the larger discs for the single disc bikes laying around, I can do that other mod with the Kawasaki calipers, for even more braking.

Pretty soon it will stop almost as well as a 1990 something bike!
Click to expand...
So, do you need an updated rectangular mc from an early 80's 850?
 
The square pads have slightly larger "swept surface" than the round ones which is why you feel a slight performance increase.

The Kawasaki upgrade is better, I have the stock square pad setup on my 1000G, it's ok but by no means great. I will be swapping it out soon so The calipers will be up for grabs.

Dan :)
 
49er said:
Are you still using the stock MC. If so, changing to the later rectanglular shaped one will improve response even better! I'm running that same combination on the 850 but with Premier pads. Great bite.
Click to expand...

Why is it better? I thought the piston diameters were the same?
Is the lever in a different position, more leverage?
Seems the older round capped MC is easier to work with.
 
tkent02 said:
Why is it better? I thought the piston diameters were the same?
Is the lever in a different position, more leverage?
Seems the older round capped MC is easier to work with.
Click to expand...

From memory, the piston diameters are the same, but the later model has a different piston design. The seals and valve are also different. The leverage appears identical. I still run the original lever on the new MC.

The kits are more readily available for the rectangular MC. Z1 doesn't list the earlier kits.
 
Another way to improve braking power is braided steel bake lines, makes a harder feel and quicker action.
 
cvmgtwowheels said:
Another way to improve braking power is braided steel bake lines, makes a harder feel and quicker action.
Click to expand...

True. I just remembered, that was part of my upgrade as well! But I did have them fitted with the old MC too, to be able to do a comparison.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top