XJ Front Master cylinder Spooge holes

[xj-wxman]

XJ Gurus!!

I have a problem with the front brakes not fully releasing. I read the article about cleaning the "spoge" holes in the XS master cylinder. The XJ seeems to be laid out differently. My rectangular front master cylider had dried out and caked/solidified old brake fluid in the 2 holes of the reservoir. It took a small drill to clean the one closest to the mirror. Tried lightly drilling the rear hole - seems to be only metal there!!! Is there really 2 spooge holes on the XJ? Is the second hole (closest to the handgrip) a straight
shot down to the plunger - or is there a bend of metal(that I'm trying to drill through!!)??? Anyone had it apart yet? The manual is not clear on the hole orientations.

Thanks

Frustrated XJ addict!!

[John]

Is the spool valve free in the bore, or is it stuck? Probably when the spool is moved, then the hole will be uncovered, and then you can clean it out. You will probably need to buy a M/C rebuild kit for it, from what you described. Dried, and caked brake fluid doesn't sound good.

[skids]

Tis is probably a dumb comment, but on one of my master cyls, there is a rectangular plate that its horizontal. It is a baffle plate I think, not a spooge hole. (XS11 and maybe not stock).

[xj-wxman]

No The cylinder moves back and forth in the path- just
not fully releasing the brakes. I tried to take all the pre-load off with the adjusting screw on the lever. I agree it will probably need a rebuild. Just trying to save the seals from pulling it apart totally. Probably for the best to rebuild it!

[John]

Rebuild kits are on ebay, Parts n More, oldbikebarn.com. Around $20 each. I have some onrder my self.

[Ken Talbot]

If your master cylinder dried out/caked over, you really should take it completely apart for a thorough cleaning. Of course, that is going to point you towards the calipers for the same treatment, then to the rear wheel also if the front is that bad. While you're at it, you might as well check with Randy about some new brake lines. It's going to take a bit of time, and it will cost a few buck$$, but brakes are kind of a 'must have'. Welcome to the club!

[xj-wxman]

Thanks ALL

Was just trying to decide if its worth ripping the thing all apart
It has been sitting @ 2yrs - Sounds like cool weather is returning here in NC - gives me more time to mess with the rebuild !!!!


BTW: has nayone ordered from a guy selling used Maxim parts in Canada- I'm bidding on a used master cylinder and exhaust from them - sounds like slow shipping - bu cheap auctions??

[fxrer]

XJ

I just finished the same project on my '80 XS SG. My front brakes were dragging, so I removed the calipers, popped the pistons, and cleaned them out -- they weren’t dirty to begin with. (Trouble is, I inadvertently left one of the dust boots soaking in brake fluid, it expanded, and I never got it back into shape so I had to buy a rebuild kit from partsnmore).

At the master cylinder, I followed recommendations in the “Maintenance" threads for cleaning the spooge hole. It is the front hole, partially hidden by the reservoir plastic tab. After removing the plastic "tank" you can get to it easily. I cleaned it with a small wire.

The rear hole is the input hole for fluid to go to the master cylinder piston. The piston will block a wire (or drill bit) from going in very far.

I reamed both holes, then ran clean fluid through the whole system (lots of pumping).

It seems OK now, although I won’t know for sure until I ride it, after it warms up.

Good luck

[Ken Talbot]

xj-wxman,
I don't know about the particular seller you'er talking about, but most people on this side of the line sell their stuff on Ebay for US$ You may get something cheap, but only if nobody with deep pockets is after the same thing. The most practical method for shipping small to medium size parcels to the US is via Canada Post and it _will_ be slower than USPS or any of the courier services. My past experience has been that trying to ship south with a courier is prohibitively expensive.

[chevy45412001]

xsfer

our xj resivouirs are a little different than the XS's. Ours have a non removeable fluid resiv. It is cast into the whole shotting match. but does still have the relief hole.

[xj-wxman]

Canada Shipping

Thnaks on the shipping Info - I think the guy selling the stuff is in Quebec area - I can't get to Ebay from my work computer to check! just seems like he has alot of XJ parts on EbAY - Tthought maybe he's a dealer. I planned on shipping with his cheapest shipping. I realize now I was kind of vague - did not mean to speak bad about our Northern friends. Just wondering if
anyone noted problems with Ebay parts?

[xj-wxman]

Brakes resolved

After pulling all three calipers apart - found out that All the pistons
were locked up - that's why they woudn't release all the way. Soaked them in Brake fluid and eased the pistons in and out to relube them. The bike was sitting too long!!! Bled all threee lines - works like a champ now! Thanks for all the advice All!!!

Now on to fixing exhaist leaks - Never seems to stop on old bikes!! But at least we Can work on them - not like the new ones!!