Brake

[cajun31]

Do you know what size zerk that is?

Click on the link that Deebs provided. The size of them is listed.

[DEEBS11]

M10 x 1.25mm Straight Metric Grease Zerk

[DiverRay]

The other way to do it is to put in a short M10 x 1.25 bolt and use the bleeder valve as the zerk. I've done that many times.

[aquamantx]

Thanks for the tricks. Popped the piston right out.

[cajun31]

In one of Deebs photos he shows a picture of a container of red rubber grease. I use that every time I totally clean the calipers. It is very good at keeping things sealed and protected. The nice thing about it is that it is not petroleum based so it does not cause the rubber seals parts to swell. Brakecrafters Red Rubber Grease For Hydraulic Motorcycle Brake Systems Repair | eBay

[cajun31]

One other point I wanted to make is that your own an 81LH. If you start with the rear caliper master cylinder and get it working properly you can then take each front caliper and hook them up one at a time to the rear master to pump the pistons out of them. The 81LH master is unique in that there is a bolt on the side of it that can be removed and you can add brake fluid to it and still pump the master with the brake pedal. The fluid will not shoot out of the master as you do this and will apply pressure to the caliper eventually spitting the piston out. The reason I bring this up is although the grease zirk method and what Ray stated works, the mess it creates has to be cleaned out before proceeding to the rebuild. The way I describe only involves brake fluid. Might be too late a suggestion for you but thought I would mention it.

[bikerphil]

Yep, that red rubber grease is fantastic. I use it every time when rebuilding brake components. It's also very good if the unit is going to be put on the shelf for awhile.

[DEEBS11]

This is the one I use.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/272398105549

[cajun31]

This is the one I use.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/272398105549

The listing you posted is 12.95 for 2 oz. The listing I posted is 38.85 for 17.637 oz. Don't think there is much difference in between the two as to what is in them. I have had a jar of this stuff for years and because they are castor oil based as long as you keep them sealed they don't go bad. I probably need to go and check mine to verify that but the last time I looked or actually used it it was still good.

[DEEBS11]

Cajun31 I also use Sil-Glyde. Great stuff.

[cajun31]

Cajun31 I also use Sil-Glyde. Great stuff.

Great stuff too. I have a tube of that too. Just don't let it get on the rubber parts.

[cajun31]

Been a while back but I started quite a discussion back in 2014. Master cylinder and caliper rebuild - red rubber grease - XS11.club Forums

[aquamantx]

Used the bleeder and got it out. Yes a mess but not that bad. Crunchy gunk throughout. Some small pitting in piston so probably needs replaced. The seal feels rough on the outer edge (part that sets against housing wall) so questionable. Saw a kit on XJ4ever and one from England. Any thoughts on Kits.

[DiverRay]

XJ seems to have pretty good parts.

[cajun31]

Used the bleeder and got it out. Yes a mess but not that bad. Crunchy gunk throughout. Some small pitting in piston so probably needs replaced. The seal feels rough on the outer edge (part that sets against housing wall) so questionable. Saw a kit on XJ4ever and one from England. Any thoughts on Kits.

I used these folks on my LH and the parts were top notch. BrakeCrafters 1981 Yamaha Xs1100l Midnight Special for sale | eBay The only thing they don't carry is a rebuild kit for the rear master on the LH.