I need 79 GS 1000 front caliper rebuild kits....where to get them ?

[Topcat]

As the title states......and thank you in advance.

I can't seem to find any for 79's.....

Peace WildBill

 

[Grimly]

Seriously, don't waste time and money trying to rebuild the 79 calipers - replace them with 80-onwards ones. You get a better braking experience.
The best result can be had by using the Salty Monk upgrade, where a pair of dual-piston Kawasaki calipers use a bespoke mounting bracket and that's even better than the later calipers.

 

[Nessism]

Not arguing against Grimly's recommendation...

That said, Partzilla lists the seal and dust boot parts as still available from Suzuki. That right, Suzuki sells parts. Available at your favorite dealership source.

 

[bwringer]

No idea exactly what variant of the GS1000 you have or whether there's a difference, but it looks like the kits with pistons are NLA, but the seals, or-rings, and boots are still available from Suzuki at very reasonable prices.

https://www.onlinecycleparts.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d4024df8700230d8b4e6f1/front-caripers-gs1000c

Not sure where you are, but I believe you're in Indiana, so you may want to look at Online Cycle Parts https://www.onlinecycleparts.com/ as your source for OEM bits. They're the online parts business of Westfield Powersports, located just north of Indy. I order all my parts there and choose "will call". They call me (they really do call!) when my stuff shows up and I take a pleasant 20 minute ride to pick them up and slobber on some new bikes and stuff. It's a nice way to get out of the house and skip shipping charges and extra days of waiting. And when something has been back-ordered, their service has been exemplary -- they call right away to let me know and offer options.

There may be a dealer closer to you that does the same thing; do some poking around.


The K&L or other aftermarket brake kits are absolute trash. I know lots of otherwise reputable places peddle these horrid, dangerous things, but I can't understand why. It's always worth checking to see whether parts, especially important safety related stuff like seals, brake parts, and gaskets, are available from Suzuki before settling for imitations.

Same goes for cables and levers, too -- the usual Motion Pro or Parts Unlimited garbage is awful and expensive, and most of the OEM stuff is still available at very reasonable cost and is excellent quality.



As noted earlier, upgrading to later model parts is worthwhile, but getting the correct calipers with the correct brackets can be a little too interesting.

 

[Topcat]

WOW.....thanks ! I have an E model with 15,000 actual miles. I want to keep it as stock as i can....except for the KERKER 4 into 1 I have been to that dealership.....it about 40miles from me......none like that in my neck of the woods....i will order from them and do both calipers this winter.

Thanks again.....someday we will meet !

Peace WildBill

 

[salty_monk]

Personally I would keep the take-off parts one a shelf somewhere (so the museum can always put it back to stock when you pass it on ) and run something more modern. I'm not a fan of the 1st generation of brakes. The pad contact area and sweep is pitiful.... Some modern mountain bikes have more!