Front Brake Mods

[omegaxj]

Okay, I checked the Modifications threads and could not find an answer to my question. Which is, can I replace my current front brake calipers on my 1978 XS1100 with calipers from an early 1980's Yamaha FJ 1100 or 1200? Will they fit and work? I see that they have a "tall" 2-hole banjo bolt that allowed a second hose to go to the fork (I believe). That bolt could be replaced with one like on the current calipers.

There are some for sale on Ebay and they should be an improvement over my current ones which are rather weak. And yes I have cleaned them and changed the fluid.

The FJ's are 2 piston, so they must be better. BTW, there is even a pair of Vmax calipers for sale. They would really stop you fast if they could be used.

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[randy]

Mark,

Have you installed stainless lines? Upgrading your calipers may not give you the braking power you're looking for if you keep the old spongy lines. The original equipment calipers do a fine job with just the stainless line upgrade.

[omegaxj]

Randy, do you have a source for the stainless steel lines? I once tried to get them made for my former XJ but that's a long story...

[blue giant]

Originally posted by omegaxj
Randy, do you have a source for the stainless steel lines? I once tried to get them made for my former XJ but that's a long story...

Try here Mark
Raymond at
Rennsport
3360 Midland Ave , Scarborough, ON, M1V4V7
phone (416) 291-3953
Fax (416) 291-3383

www.rennsportautoparts.com

Quoted $24.95 each for 22 inch length, Shipping in Canada $12.00 for a set of 3

Cheers,

Paul

[omegaxj]

Thanks Paul, I'll check them out.

BTW, if Doug owes you a beer, it will be an "Alpine" by Moosehead.

[Axel]

I wouldnt

YOU may want to read a thread describing my experience with the above supplier . I have had to send back lines twice now . Once because the banjo fittings did not swivel and wouldnt fit. Once because two of the lines leaked . BEWARE

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...threadid=18850

[snowdog51]

brakes

buy a modern sport bike mc fast cheap
or put on a fj fork it's bolt on i'm writing a how to on it should be done in a week or so. bill


ps all brakes should have stainless lines

[jankoman]

Russell Brake Parts

I just ordered some Russell SS braided brake lines and fittings from denniskirk.com. Do a general search "RUSSELL BRAKE LINE" and sort it from low price to high price. You'll see all the different fittings, etc. I plan on upgrading the front over the winter. I just did my rear brake line. All went well.

[Hideki]

These bikes front brakes are really good once you install some SS lines. The factory 3 line setup made the front brakes feel spongy, I installed a 2 lines SS setup on my bike and the bike brakes amazingly well now, no more sponginess don't buy new calipers until you install some SS lines first

[Axel]

Rennsport

Although Raymond at Rennsport has been quite accomodating , communication has been sketchy ,emails lost and I finally had to phone to get answers . They will take the lines back or exchange defective ones ( it has happened before) but each time I pay the shipping back to them . So ... by the time its all added up I would have been farther ahead to go elsewhere ,order better lines in colors with bolts and washers .

[randy]

Omegaxj,

If you want to duplicate the stock setup here are the dimensions of the lines:

Hose #1 M/C to Union 16”
Hose #2 Union to Front Caliper 22-3/4"
Hose #3 Union to Front Caliper 22-3/4"
Hose #4 Rear M/C to Caliper 19"

[jjwaller]

S/S Lines

Mikes XS has a full set of lines too.

http://www.mikesxs.com/

Well they used to!
Sorry, just a limited supply of made up
ones.

[Geezer]

For anyone in the NW Oregon area, there's a shop in Portland that will make them up while you wait. It's Oil Filter Service and they do good work at a reasonable price.

If you can't afford stainless lines, they have some high pressure conventional lines that are amazing. I did a brake job on an old Honda 4 and the rubber lines from Oil Filter Service were a great improvement over stock.

Geezer

[jjwaller]

Brake Lines

Sorry, I was thinking of Z1 Enterprises,
But, they have cut way back on the products offered. Ordered mine from them last year. They no longer offer
them.

[blue giant]

Re: I wouldnt

Originally posted by Axel
YOU may want to read a thread describing my experience with the above supplier . I have had to send back lines twice now . Once because the banjo fittings did not swivel and wouldnt fit. Once because two of the lines leaked . BEWARE

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...threadid=18850

Hey Alex, Didn't realize you were having issues with them. Is there a specific set for the XJ vs. the XS?
Are you trying to do away with the unified brakes?

Paul