Fork problem isn't....no rear brake xj

[WSL91]

So I bought the XJ couple weeks ago and have been working through it and riding a little. Found a hot front rotor the other day so I pulled the calipers yesterday. Cleaned them up and put everything back together. (have a piston coming in case one leaks). Anyway having problem bleeding rear brake so I bought a Mightyvac (needed one anyway). Overall I'm happy with the bike, its old and I expect to have to work through a couple problems but I've been thinking that the forks were quite soft.

After multiple attempts to bleed I get no brake fluid at the rear but I do at the front on the linked front/rear brake. Also noticed that the front rotors are polished up and the rear isn't. The rear piston came out hard also. Buttoned it up and went for a quick ride and it stops like it has since I bought it. Conclusion: NO REAR BRAKE when I bought it. Now its off to find the reason for no brake fluid getting to the rear. Its no wonder the front collapsed every time I stopped, all that has been working are the front brakes. And I just thought these bikes had poor brakes compared to new bikes.

[WSL91]

proportioning valve

Found the item in the manuals, found some good links on the forum. Going back out to see if I can get it apart yet today. I line in an Apartment right now so its parking lot time.
John

[WSL91]

Scrap metal

So I pulled the proportioning valve and I find the inner fender has ben pryed on before and its obvious someone else has been here before me. I pulled it out and it was clean, put it all back together and no change, no oil to the back. Looks like I've learned one secret about my new bike. I wondered why a 30 year old bikes MCs were clean, had clear brake fluid, and for the most part the calipers were pretty clean as well. Now I know.

At this point I'll probably gut the proportioning valve and remove the front line and run the big MC for the rear. I'm looking at buying a new replacement big bore front MC and running dual lines to the calipers so I control the braking.
Anyone have any better ideas? I'm going to poke around and see if I can locate a proportioning valve but I'd rather the brakes not be linked.

[Eveready1100]

What size is the current front MC? I run a 5/8th on my Special and it works fine with braided lines. Maybe you won't have to get a new one.

[WSL91]

Scratch the new MC. The ones at Mikes XS are level, the one on the XJ is a slant mount. Looks like I'm going for 1982 Virago 920 setup. Dual disc non-linked slope mount MC. Looks like the Virago 920 has the same or very similar handlebars as the XJ, actually a very similar bike except power plant.

[Rasputin]

Scroll a little further down the page on mikesxs. They have the one you want and it is only 1mm different in size than the stock XJ unit IIRC. You can also check out the XJ forum and see what they are doing for proportioning valves etc.

[WSL91]

Scroll a little further down the page on mikesxs. They have the one you want and it is only 1mm different in size than the stock XJ unit IIRC. You can also check out the XJ forum and see what they are doing for proportioning valves etc.

I saw that one but it has no mirror mount. I think the Virago one will be just right!

[Rasputin]

If you find one on fleabay but it has the sight glass so cloudy that you can not see it, then there is new sight glasses available. Might get one cheaper that way. The sight glass is $12.50 plus $2.50 shipping though.

[WSL91]

If you find one on fleabay but it has the sight glass so cloudy that you can not see it, then there is new sight glasses available. Might get one cheaper that way. The sight glass is $12.50 plus $2.50 shipping though.

That's what I'm looking at now plus the front lines with the 2-1 splitter. There are several decent ones out there now by sellers with pretty good and plentiful feedback. Going to think about it overnight and decide tomorrow. Sometimes I get to pulling the trigger a little early : ) I want something useful that looks like it belongs, not cobbled up, will have Yamaha in the cover. Thanks for the tip on the sight glass

[WSL91]

Gutted the proportioning valve today and disconnected the front from the rear. WOW I have rear brakes! The front is a little weak with only 1 disc running. Bought some Virago parts on ebay today and will first hook up the second disc with the XJ Front Master Cylinder to see how it behaves and if I still don't like it I have a Virago dual disc M/C coming too. Took a 65 mile ride today on the XJ! Film at 11.

[petejw]

If you find one on fleabay but it has the sight glass so cloudy that you can not see it, then there is new sight glasses available. Might get one cheaper that way. The sight glass is $12.50 plus $2.50 shipping though.

hi ras,
i was told they werent available,
can u tell me who supplies them?

tia.

[Rasputin]

Schming sent me this link.
http://newrivercyclesalvage.com/sight-glass.html
The glass that comes is flat and quite easy to install. You will need the silicon rubber sealer as well. Be sure to send the measurements of your sight glass hole (with your order) to get the right one.

[WSL91]

Woohoo, my Virago front dbl disk master cylinder arrived and its got the brake fluid sensor in the reservoir!

[Rasputin]

What are you planning to hook that sensor up to? Maybe you are better at wiring than me but I would probably just cut any wires off real close and seal them with something.

[WSL91]

What are you planning to hook that sensor up to? Maybe you are better at wiring than me but I would probably just cut any wires off real close and seal them with something.

I was planning on plugging them into the wiring harness as the stock front XJ reservoir has brake fluid sensors in both mater cylinders