To rebuild, or not to rebuild (brakes)

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the_finch
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To rebuild, or not to rebuild (brakes)

Post by the_finch »

Fall 2008 I picked up a good deal on a set of Galfer Stainless braided brake lines (front+rear), as well as a 1997 YZF600R front master cylinder, as well as a set of EBC HH sinstered pads. I installed the pads last summer (a shipping accident left me with a spare set of brake pads :banana: ), but I haven't put the brake lines or new MC on yet because I wanted to rebuild the calipers and master cylinders when I installed them. None of the calipers leak, and none of the stock master cylinders leak. The YZF MC is one I won off of eBay, along with a set of blue-dot calipers (long since sold) for a steal of a deal, and when I took the lid off of the reservoir, it was still holding brake fluid.

My question is this: with my bike being a 1997 FZR600 that was taken pretty good care of, do I honestly need to rebuild the master cylinders and calipers before I install the new brake lines? Or am I just being a little too CDO* about it?

Seals for the calipers aren't too expensive, but the master cylinder kits are pretty freakin' expensive, even through the discount dealership in Texas that I usually use.

And on a side note, I'm going ahead and installing a pressure-based rear brake light switch while I'm at it, so I can install these Woodcraft Rearsets I got a little while back (and replace this faulty stock brake light switch...it sticks open right now).

* CDO = the initials for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, listed in alphabetical order--as any Obsessive-Compulsive person knows they should be.
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1997 FZR600RJ

Engine: K&N Drop-in air filter - stock airbox - FP 5°ignition advancer - EBC "Street Racer" Kevlar clutch
Exhaust: Stock header - Yoshimura RS-3 Carbon fiber slip-on
Body: Original paint/graphics - Clear Alternatives integrated LED Taillight - Flanders' flush front signals - YZF600 Mirrors - Comp. Werkes Stainless fender eliminator/tag bracket - 60w/55w H4 headlights
Tires: Metzler MEZ4B 120/70 ZR17 Front - Michelin Madacam 100x 150/70 ZR18 Rear
Brakes:Stock rotors with EBC HH Sinstered pads
In the works: YZF600 header, '97 Bandit 600 rear wheel, DynoJet Stage 3, Racetech Springs and Emulators fork rebuild, FZ1 rear shock, YZF600 front MC, Galfer SS Lines, CFM rearsets
sweekster
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Re: To rebuild, or not to rebuild (brakes)

Post by sweekster »

A good cleaning and new seals would not hurt anything and will give you the piece of mind in knowing that they are as good as new.
Duane...
Bike:
1994 Yamaha FZR 1000 EXUP
Factory Pro Stage 1 Jetting | K&N Filter | Corbin Seat | ProTek Keyless Gas Cap | GSXR Mirrors
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2005 Saab 9-7x 5.3i Arc AWD

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the_finch
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Re: To rebuild, or not to rebuild (brakes)

Post by the_finch »

sweekster wrote:A good cleaning and new seals would not hurt anything and will give you the piece of mind in knowing that they are as good as new.
So just leave the master cylinders alone and clean the calipers?
Image
1997 FZR600RJ

Engine: K&N Drop-in air filter - stock airbox - FP 5°ignition advancer - EBC "Street Racer" Kevlar clutch
Exhaust: Stock header - Yoshimura RS-3 Carbon fiber slip-on
Body: Original paint/graphics - Clear Alternatives integrated LED Taillight - Flanders' flush front signals - YZF600 Mirrors - Comp. Werkes Stainless fender eliminator/tag bracket - 60w/55w H4 headlights
Tires: Metzler MEZ4B 120/70 ZR17 Front - Michelin Madacam 100x 150/70 ZR18 Rear
Brakes:Stock rotors with EBC HH Sinstered pads
In the works: YZF600 header, '97 Bandit 600 rear wheel, DynoJet Stage 3, Racetech Springs and Emulators fork rebuild, FZ1 rear shock, YZF600 front MC, Galfer SS Lines, CFM rearsets
sweekster
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Re: To rebuild, or not to rebuild (brakes)

Post by sweekster »

the_finch wrote:
So just leave the master cylinders alone and clean the calipers?
I was speaking of the set up as a whole. If it were me though, I'd try everything out and see first. They may be fine already and you won't have to clean them for a while...a long while.
Duane...
Bike:
1994 Yamaha FZR 1000 EXUP
Factory Pro Stage 1 Jetting | K&N Filter | Corbin Seat | ProTek Keyless Gas Cap | GSXR Mirrors
My Thread
Cage:
2005 Saab 9-7x 5.3i Arc AWD

Image


THE WIKI IS YOUR FRIEND
THE SEARCH IS YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER
USE THEM!!
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megaloxana
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Re: To rebuild, or not to rebuild (brakes)

Post by megaloxana »

If they look ok then I wouldn't worry about it...unless of course you're bored and have cash to throw around.
'92 FZR 600
Airtech R1 kit \*/ 520 conversion \*/ 14F-47R gearing
K&N pod filters \*/ Stage 3 jet kit \*/ Factory Pro shift kit \*/ Full V&H SS exhaust
Custom '02 R6 undertail \*/ YZF gas tank \*/ Raised via dogbones \*/ custom flush turnsignals
Full R6 brake set-up \*/ SS lines \*/ Progressive fork springs \*/ ZX2 coilpack


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95FZR600
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Re: To rebuild, or not to rebuild (brakes)

Post by 95FZR600 »

If they work just put on the new lines and ride!
2002 Yamaha R6-----2003 Yamaha R6

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