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Modern caliper install on GS400

  • Thread starter Thread starter jfman
  • Start date Start date
J

jfman

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Is there a modern caliper that is known to fit on a 1980 GS400 w/o too much fabbing/hassle?

I really like my GS400 but the front brakes are just not doing it for me.
 
Have you looked at the brakes to see what's wrong with them?
Original pads and hoses? Original brake fluid?
Did you look inside the caliper and MC?
 
Pete (the Australian) & I went through this & we believe there is a good chance the Kawasaki twinpot caliper will fit on the twins with one of my brackets.

You'd have to use a GS550 Rotor.

What Size is your rotor in diameter? Is it 264mm? (10.5")?

I do have an odd bracket around as well where I split a set for someone who was doing a single sided install :)

If you search under threads I've started you'll see plenty of info about this mod on the bigger bikes...
 
salty_monk said:
Pete (the Australian) & I went through this & we believe there is a good chance the Kawasaki twinpot caliper will fit on the twins with one of my brackets.

You'd have to use a GS550 Rotor.

What Size is your rotor in diameter? Is it 264mm? (10.5")?

I do have an odd bracket around as well where I split a set for someone who was doing a single sided install :)

If you search under threads I've started you'll see plenty of info about this mod on the bigger bikes...
Click to expand...

Beat me to it Dan ;)

I think most of the 400's have the same fork legs as the E's and S' but definitely require measurements to be sure...
 
tkent02 said:
Have you looked at the brakes to see what's wrong with them?
Original pads and hoses? Original brake fluid?
Did you look inside the caliper and MC?
Click to expand...


All seems well it's just that I am used to the brakes on modern liter bikes... I know the bike is what it is. I dont mind being down on power and I ever apreciate a mushier ride but I would like more feel and grab from the front brakes.

pete said:
Beat me to it Dan ;)

I think most of the 400's have the same fork legs as the E's and S' but definitely require measurements to be sure...
Click to expand...

I'm not well versed with these bikes but are you saying that I could install the oposite fork from a same era GS with twin front calipers and mount a dual disc wheel w/o any fabrication?
 
jfman said:
I'm not well versed with these bikes but are you saying that I could install the oposite fork from a same era GS with twin front calipers and mount a dual disc wheel w/o any fabrication?
Click to expand...

Not a dual disc, just simply replacing the 450 disc with one from a 550, then using Dan's adaptor bracket so you can use a twinpot Kawasaki caliper.

Reports are it's a fantastic upgrade on the bigger bikes, so on our little twins it should be an even better upgrade, especially with a braided steel brake line.

I haven't gone down that path yet as I have a brand new disc on mine with totally rebuilt caliper and a new braided line. Much better than it ever was before but definitely nothing compared to a modern bike.
 
Give me a shout if you want to try. If it doesn't work then send it back for a refund on the bracket...

Gs550 rotors can be had for $15 and the kawi calipers for $15-$25 for one on Ebay. Right calipers are more common but left ones are around.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Suzuki...ies&hash=item4167a827bd&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1156

Currently at $8.99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-78-SUZ...ies&hash=item27c8b24b9e&vxp=mtr#ht_847wt_1163

$20 buy it now...

Concourse Caliper (2004) at $45

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Kawasa...es&hash=item41674cc64e&vxp=mtr#ht_3963wt_1163

Earlier Ninja caliper

http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-KAWASAKI...ies&hash=item518ac1557d&vxp=mtr#ht_569wt_1396

Keep searching they do come up at $20-$25 fairly regularly.

Use your stock master, stock length lines (new lines are ago of idea on our old bike anyway...)

You can have the odd bracket for $35 shipped. I might have an odd Aluminum one for a but more $$.

:)
 
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So cheap Dan! I just wish I could justify it now but with the brand new Metal Gear disc on the front and having other stuff to buy means it's a no go for the immediate future... at least the braided line and new M/C make it heaps better than it used to be...
 
salty_monk said:
Give me a shout if you want to try. If it doesn't work then send it back for a refund on the bracket...

Gs550 rotors can be had for $15 an the kawi calipers for $15-$25 for one...

Use your stock master, stock length lines (new lines are ago of idea on our old bike anyway...)

You can have the odd bracket for $35 shipped. I might have an odd Aluminum one for a but more $$.

:)
Click to expand...


Wire wheel or cast wheel it doesnt matter right? I am buying a 1978 GS400 wire wheels for my bike. My rotor is on the left side btw.
 
That is a heck of a deal, jfman. You need to snap that up before someone else does.
 
jfman said:
Wire wheel or cast wheel it doesnt matter right? I am buying a 1978 GS400 wire wheels for my bike. My rotor is on the left side btw.
Click to expand...

As long as the disc mounting is the same, it won't matter with the wheel.

The key bit is the fork leg, which is why this mod won't work on the L models as they have different forks.
 
Thanks for the deal on the bracket Salty.

- Some guy in town is selling two complete 1988 ninja's for 250$ so I emailed him to see how much he wants for the front brake calipers off one of them.
 
If the pistons are shot then buy one off an EX250/EX500 (the modern ones use the right caliper as they are only 1 brake bikes) to use for parts... Cheaper than a new piston/seal set etc.

Pete - looks like you're going to get to find out if it works! :D

:)
 
the disc on a gsx 250 (8valve ) & gs 450 is 275mm , and is on the left hand side, there is no more than 40mm clearance between the cast spokes of the wheel &the center line of the disc, it has a 15mm offset & is held on with 6 bolts @ about 79mm pcd
 
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