Brake interchange questions

[XSessiveForce79]

I have a 79 1100 standard (SF ?),and have always had brake issues. the front calipers will start dragging and I end up bleeding them ( even just one ) and the brakes release.well the original master cylinder was leaking at the bottom of the plastic where it mates to the aluminum...so i replaced the M/C with the one off my 80 1100 standard.worked fine. I also went through the front calipers of the two bikes and found the better of the bunch.( all of them have fairly rusted pistons )...worked fine. then the the dragging and freezing up started again.I tried bleeding them with a full quart of brake fluid,cleaned the M/C ( tried a paper clip tip to clean the hole at the bottom of the M/C)...more bleeding.worked fine.For awhile.while out riding last time I had a friend squeeze the brake lever during my usual bleeding session.They must have squeezed too hard because I got very little fluid out,and the M/C was jammed all the way in and wouldn't release.BUT..my breaks were not dragging.Rode home on my back brake,looked at it the next day...M/C had released.squeezed the brake lever a few times brakes froze up again.a question I have is I can get all 3 rotors and calipers , M/C's and brake lines off a 80 XS 750 Triple...for $50.00. Will any of the parts work on my 1100 ?? if no...any suggestions on what might be my next move? I am not sure where to go to get good parts at a good price.Thanks for any help...anyone know where I can get a right side cover??

[natemoen]

650 rotors work and the calipers off a 650 as well. 750's no.

I would say you have crap in your system. Have you completely disassemble every part and cleaned every hole (spooge hole especially) and groove (behind the caliper piston seal especially)?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey ExcessiveForce,

Just had to check the microfiche...my CRS acting up! Here's the Rotor part# comparison, the 77 750 and the 78E XS11.

1J3-25831-50-00 750 rotor

1J3-25831-00-00 xS11 78E

They are NOTthe same. I need to clean my reading glasses...Thanks NATE!

However, you'll need to be sure if you have a Special or Standard....the front calipers are totally different. Specials have those funky slanted pads and swivel caliper assembly, mounted on a leading axle front fork slider.

Sounds like you found the SPOOGE hole and cleaned it, that is ONE of the reasons the caliper can drag. Another is the piston itself. You say you cleaned the calipers...did you remove the square shaped O-ring from inside the caliper housing, and SCRAPE out the corrosion from inside the O-ring groove? That can cause excessive force on the piston and not allow it to move as freely=dragging=heating up and locking up!

T.C.

[XSessiveForce79]

brakes

well again I should have looked first...then asked. info on brakes and splooge hole ( which I had wrong ) was there for me to learn from...should help.still want to know if the disks off the 750 would fit...the are drilled and would be nice to have on my ride.

[TopCatGr58]

I just had to EDIT my reply, didn't read the part #'s accurately, they are NOT the same and as Nate said, they will NOT work, not the same size...I think I remember that they are not the same diameter.

T.C.

[crazy steve]

Well, I'm assuming you disassembled/cleaned the calipers. Hopefully you cleaned the groove behind the o-ring seal in the piston bore, as that's one of the big causes of sticky calipers. Rusty pistons, well, those really should be replaced if you have anything more that light pitting on them as that can also cause sticking. You can get new OEM-type pistons from MikesXS, or no-rust stainless units from these guys: http://www.hvccycle.com/brake-caliper-pistons.html

As to the master cylinder, you probably haven't cleaned the imfamous 'spooge hole', as a paper clip is much too large for that. I'd recommend pulling the master and disassembling it for a thorough clean. Details here: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14

The 850 parts will partially interchange, assuming like-model-for-like-model. The master cylinder and calipers will be the same, but the 850 uses smaller rotors. But they're still used parts, so you may not be getting anything better than what you already have...

You guys type faster than me....

[XSessiveForce79]

no,on the cleaning everything completely...but I will now. thanks . my bike is a 79 made in August of 78. It is not a Special.not sure on the 750 Triple but the seller of the brake parts says 1980.The rotors are what I hope will interchange.

[bikerphil]

The 750 rotors aren't the same, they are smaller. More info in this thread...

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23492

[XSessiveForce79]

Ok I will pass on the Triple parts and completely go through the calipers and M/C...I will let you know how that goes.thanks for the help guys...I will have more questions later I'm sure as I ride this Devil..I dont know whats wrong with me I almost bought a 3rd one today...1980 Eleven Special.Somebody stop me!

[fredintoon]

- - - a question I have is I can get all 3 rotors and calipers , M/C's and brake lines off a 80 XS 750 Triple...for $50.00. - - -

Hi 'Force,
XS750/850 rotors are a smaller diameter than XS11 rotors and although they'll bolt right on to your wheels they won't reach all the way into the calipers.
The calipers on all '77 & later XS650s, all STANDARD XS750/850s & the XS11 STANDARD are identical.
You wouldn't want used brake lines anyway.
And go for that Special! Once you've checked out it's Weird Harold front calipers you'll realize how good you got it on the Standards.

[XSessiveForce79]

problem solved! I can't believe how much crap was in the M/C...brake pressure was there when I popped the splooge hole ( guitar string ) blew right back into my eye...nice...the whole thing went well,lots of crap and rust,used zip ties for scraping and washed everthing in hot soapy water. thanks again! gonna do the rear next.

[natemoen]

Awesome! Glad you got it, just don't forget the calipers too.

[mjpxs11sh]

great to hear when the dedication of determination is effecive in the end. doesnt always work out that way. congrats! oh u will be back before youll have the rears where u want em! welcome to the excessive needy XS world. ha ha. dont get me wrong, my bike could almost be better than sex, and i like workin on her, but sometimes it can get ur frustration level hieghtened, thats is till u become a Guru, like the experienced XS brothers here. well, get into it and see ya on ur next post.
by the way, im a rookie kinda, and getting some experience from resurrecting an 81 Special.