brakes and suspension

[GARTHXS]

just wondering if there are any newer model brake calipers(multi- piston) that would fit on my 78e, also would lowering my front forks i.e. loosening triple tree and sliding up 3/4'' or 1'' help or worsen handling????

[somesuch]

You will have no ground clearance. As is the bike scrapes around every turn. Your best bet would be to get longer shocks.
--nick

[AlanB]

Hi Garth,

Anything is possible! Try a search; My bike has FZR forks and brakes, Pggg has modern brakes and 18"front wheel on XS forks, as well as lots of others.

Many later Yamahas and Suzukis use the same head bearings as the XS, so front-end swaps are easy, so long as you watch out for the stem length.

However, as somesuch points out, lowering the fork limits ground clearance, and most modern bikes have short forks.....

AlanB

[mason79]

say what???

if they are in top condition and you feel they are inadequite, then maybe, however if you have not gone thru rebuilding the master cylinder, calipers, added new pads, stainless lines , with new fluid, then, my suggestions is to try that first,

while tedious work, would imo, be nothing compared to grafting an off model system on a bike then has a fine reputation for stopping agility and abilities,

mine hauls it down with just a tap on the lever and i go fast and i carry full hard bags, i drilled my discs as well, but i think you can safely circumvent this endevor, outside of modernization in appearance.

so the long and short is, make the front and rear brake tip top in shape and then make that judgement call. you'll be glad you did.

[GARTHXS]

brakes

What about a new front master cylinder?
have you seen any replacement for cheap????

[mason79]

whats wrong with yours?

if bad andreas might be able to help, or even ebay...

i lowered my forks once, an inch, it felt quicker in steering, now i got it back up for stability at high speed god only knows how you would want stability with these wobble prone beasts...

frankly my repacking the steering bearings, progressive springs, helped alot

[DiverRay]

To add to mason79, DO NOT FORGET THE FORK BRACE!! It WILL make a huge difference! I have a Tkat brace , S.S. brake lines, and progressive springs on a stock '79F. Even with the fairing, I can corner with most bikes going over the hill from Santa Cruz to San Jose. The three items cost about $350.00 and a few hours of work, but made ALL the difference IMHO.
I DO have a '78 Yamaha fairing on the front, so it's NOT light.

[GARTHXS]

master cylinder

it is so oxidized that you can see the fluid level and it may leak although I cant see where, also if I replace brake lines w/ss do need some kind of extension to run just two lines or do I have to run a 1-2 setup

[GARTHXS]

fork brace

I do have a tkat fork brace , but stupid me got won for a special not a standard and the damn thing is to loose, oh well I talked tkat and send him the brace and get one that fits

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Garth,

Yes, you can get aftermarket front MC for about $80.00 from several sources, MikesXS, PNM, etc.. Just you'll want to make sure you get the 16mm piston bore to be able to handle both calipers. They also sell a IIRC13 or 14mm for a single front caliper!

You can use just 2 long lines and get an extra long banjo bolt to fit into the MC, essentially it's the same length as the 1 in the front splitter! Same amount of fluid for either 3 or 2 lines, and usually can save you some $$ with just 2 longer lines without the splitter!
T.C.