brake caliper rebuilds

  • Scirocco
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04 Dec 2018 11:47 #794620 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic brake caliper rebuilds
The copper washers are soft and the arc will crush flatten when you install the brake line.
DonĀ“t over tighten the Banjo bolts, they can snap easily.

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05 Dec 2018 17:01 #794697 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic brake caliper rebuilds

Nessism wrote: The pistons were seized tight on my 750 calipers as well but eventually I managed to free them up. Unfortunately, two of the three caliper pistons were pitted and had to be replaced, at a fairly high price. Kawasaki isn't doing us any favors in that regard. I just checked the availability and it seems the pistons are no longer available from Kawasaki but there are a few kicking around on ebay. Fortunately, the piston seals and dust boots are still available. I strongly advise purchasing OEM parts, not aftermarket like K&L. I've had bad experiences with K&L brake system parts on three different occasions so use at your own risk. You can clean the calipers in solvent just as long as you keep any rubber parts you plan to reuse out of the sauce.

I suspect the coating is more about resistance to pitting and low friction against the seals than it is about wear.
I wonder if there is a newer brake system that uses pistons of the same dimensions? The manufacturers often (always?) buy brake components from outside vendors. Sometimes competing models will use the same calipers with some irrelevant difference. For instance, the ZRX has a pair of six piston calipers up front. A full rebuild using Kawasaki parts is shockingly expensive. Suzuki used the exact same calipers on the Hyabusa, but with anodized aluminum pistons instead of Kawasaki's plated steel ones. The aluminum ones are a fraction of the weight and cost of the steel ones. Also, Suzuki sells the seals for a fraction of what Kawasaki charges. Exact same seals.

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism

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10 Dec 2018 15:03 #794905 by Tvag06
Replied by Tvag06 on topic brake caliper rebuilds
Thanks. I have it all ready to install but just too cold. I've got a heater but I only get any free time after 9pm. With work at 7am, my motivation is lacking.

'80 KZ440D - Stripped for rebuild - kzrider.com/kunena/11-projects/611352-st...ng-a-rusty-80-kz440d
'04 Suzuki DL650 K4 V Strom

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11 Dec 2018 13:42 #794962 by Irish Yobbo
Replied by Irish Yobbo on topic brake caliper rebuilds
Probably a little late, but partzilla do have OEM pistons - I bought two of them for my KZ750 a few weeks ago: www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/43020-1096

They're not cheap though. It's strange that most caliper pistons are a 'cup' shape with the open end facing the pad, but the KZ pistons are solid chunks of steel. I guess that's for the softer compound on the surface to reduce brake squeal?

1981 KZ750 LTD

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12 Dec 2018 05:01 #795005 by Tvag06
Replied by Tvag06 on topic brake caliper rebuilds
I've only had 2 bikes this kz750 and a cb550. The cb also had solid pistons. I've never seen a hollow one. lol

'80 KZ440D - Stripped for rebuild - kzrider.com/kunena/11-projects/611352-st...ng-a-rusty-80-kz440d
'04 Suzuki DL650 K4 V Strom

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