front brake calipers rebuild

[QRFan]

I have a 1979 xs11 special.My front brakes will not release easily. I'm going to change pads & rebuild the calipers . I have eliminated the "spooge hole" possibility.I think that the pistons are coroded & am not sure if I can get them clean so Is there anyone who sells the new parts needed to rebuild the front calipers ? I need the basic rebuild stuff items 6-10 on this link & possibly new pistons. http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot...m8244sch213357 Thx for any help

[Bigfoot]

I have had good luck cleaning the pistons up with some emory cloth or very fine wet/dry sandpaper.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey QRfan,

There was a recent thread regarding this. The Special front caliper pistons are essentially unobtainium. We recently found that Yamaha provided piston and seal combo kits for some later model bikes...83 XJ650J Maxim for example that uses the same STYLE of swivel front calipers, but we don't have any part #'s for the earlier XS piston to compare. The later XJ takes the same rebuild seal only kit as the XS11, and the calipers are the same swivel style, but they are different part #s for the complete assembly vs. the XS11's, so it could be a crap shoot in ordering the piston/seal combo kit as to whether it would fit!?

As was stated, yes, the pistons can corrode, but the rubber seals around them are what make the seal inside the caliper housing, and the housing is aluminum, so it doesn't rust internally like the steel piston, so aside from doing a thorough cleaning job of the O-ring groove in the caliper to remove corrosion, and making sure the caliper walls are smooth, you should have no problem going back in with your old pitted pistons.

Or....if you have the $$, you could order the piston/seal kit for the 83XJ650 and see IF it will fit the XS11. That would be great info to know, for folks that DO have severely pitted/rusted pistons and would like to replace them!?

T.C.

[QRFan]

thx for input

i'll let you know what i end up doing.if i can't clean pistons i'll order that kit.