Just bought 92' FZR 600

[Lorenzai]

I have no idea what happened by I noticed my front brake was losing stopping power. I rode back home and parked it on the driveway. The brake reservoir is full of fluid and there's no visible leaks on the fittings or lines. What the heck happened? It kind of works still but you have to pull it in and it bottoms out. I've never had brake problems before so I'm pretty lost. Did my master cylinder just crap out?

[4wred]

M/C could be shot,try bleeding the brakes.System must be sucking air in somewhere,probably fluid leak will show itself soon.

[Lorenzai]

I got a nice brake bleeder from my Chrysler tech friend.I also got a bottle of prestone synthetic dot 4 fluid. I tried bleeding the system 3 times on each caliper and replacing any fluid lost with brand new in the master cylinder. I got about 60% of my braking power back... enough to dip the nose down- but it ain't like it was before.

[willandrip]

Seems strange that original braking performance was lost virtually overnight.
Usually one would see leaks.

If not a fluid change should have rectified it.

Perhaps air is still trapped somewhere and may rise to the master cylinder and vent once the bike is used.

Maybe the master cylinder piston seal is allowing fluid back past itself rather than providing full pressure to
the calipers !

There are much better master cylinders available as used items for very little money from other Yamaha models.
These also provide span adjuster facilities for the lever.

[Lorenzai]

Thanks Willandrip. I actually had the same idea. My friend has a 1989ish? Kawasaki ZX7R in his garage and it has a real nice Nissin master cylinder with an external reservoir. It also has adjustable 'effort' I guess you could call it. It will fit my handlebar just fine and it's a 2 wire switch like the Yamaha, and the bike it comes from has the same banjo bolt setup where the master cylinder has one outlet and goes down to a splitter that splits to two brake lines going to the calipers. So in theory it should be a bolt on affair as long as the reservoir will fit under my fairing.

[willandrip]

I know those master cylinders. I own two ZXR 750's.

They perform well.
So much so; I keep a spare one in stock and use it to pump out stuck caliper pistons on the bench.

You will require a small bracket fabricating to support the reservoir.
Google ; Ladybird reservoir bracket.

[Lorenzai]

I looked up the ladybird bracket. I see what you mean. However, those places trying to charge 20-30 dollars for that bracket are insane. I'm sure that bracket could be made from stuff at Lowes for under 10 dollars.

[willandrip]

You don't have to pay that price.
The link was to remove the need for me to try to explain an easy bracket fab. up.
The good thing on that type is the ability to easily and neatly twist the bracket say 90 degrees if required as well as bend it.

I modify brackets that come with remote res master cylinders..

I would also recommend;
http://www.projection-components.co.uk/ ... s-18-c.asp

P+P will set you back about £5 to USA.

It depends on your skills and facilities and if Meccano style brackets are acceptable.