Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

The bore on my master cylinder is stuffed. At the moment I'm looking at two options. I can buy a brand new master cylinder for $320 or I can buy this setup off an '01 which has a supposedly better caliper setup than a '98. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... Track=true
Delivered, assuming i get it for this price, it will cost $145. I don't know what too do. A new master cylinder would see me sorted, but I'm always looking to upgrade parts if the opportunity presents itself and if this setup is all good then I'll end up with, in theory, better brakes for half the price.

with the 2nd hander, just make sure the master cyl's piston is at least the same diameter & stroke, if more of one perhaps a tiny bit of the other. Basically compare the swept area of your current and the new one (i.e. (pi* radius of master cyl) squared * stroke)

swept area gives braking power, the more you have, the more fluid it'll pump to the calipers, but designs differ, some have a longer stroke, shorter diameter, lots of bite, but very linear, others have big diameter and small stroke, big bite, straight up off the bat.

im sure this makes sense, will proofread it later if i cbf, time for a pre work nap.

mike-s wrote:with the 2nd hander, just make sure the master cyl's piston is at least the same diameter & stroke, if more of one perhaps a tiny bit of the other. Basically compare the swept area of your current and the new one (i.e. (pi* radius of master cyl) squared * stroke)

The only difference between the '98 and '01 is on the '01 the calipers use different size pistons to improve feel where as the '98's were all the same. The master cylinder is exactly the same. I just don't want to get the used setup and find it all needs re-kitting or the master cylinder is just as bad as my current one. Herein lies the gamble.

the obvious question is why dont you fix the one you have

Are the disk diameters the same on the 98 and 01 models? If not the calipers probably won't mount up properly.

Maybe some second hand stuffs ok but i personally wouldnt be doing s/hand brake stuff Its not that cheap if the bike doesnt stop

Johnnie5 wrote:the obvious question is why dont you fix the one you have

The bore of the master cylinder is stuffed.

Mick C wrote:Are the disk diameters the same on the 98 and 01 models? If not the calipers probably won't mount up properly.

Yep. The only difference is the piston arrangment.

not that this is much help...but im the kinda guy who replaces shit with what the manufacturer put there originally...mostly...

but thats just me...

least that way i kno it works/fits...

Unless you were upgrading to a Radial master from and 05 or 06, I'd say go new.......not worth the risk. Besides you might just find that a new Master will totally change the feel of your brakes so you don't need to upgrade.

Ive been told (from a reliable source) there is only two bore sizes (anyone??)
I am of the opinion if you have to replace to go better, ie why spend money to put it back the way it was.
Gotta love the bling Neka. OEM is always a compromise to cover all bases. I dont know WHY brembos feel better but they do.
I would say how much for a radial master too.
Like the difference between OEM and braided lines.

Getting a radial master was my first thought too, so I did. But as it turns out it moves less fluid than the original so the lever is at the bar before anything happens. I just sold it to help finance the purchase of the new one.

frogzx12r wrote:....Ive been told (from a reliable source) there is only two bore sizes (anyone??)...

I have only ever seen 2 sizes used - 1/2" and 5/8". Thats on jap stuff, not sure about pommie bikes or seppo rubbish.

find a proper brake place and they will likly be able to work something out to fix what you have

z900/zx9 wrote:Maybe some second hand stuffs ok but i personally wouldnt be doing s/hand brake stuff Its not that cheap if the bike doesnt stop

the bike is 2nd hand by your theory all bikes out there would be dangerous

a used brake part is no different to any other used part, inspect , fit and check before useage

Well I've gone a slightly differenet way. I've just bought a master cylinder and calipers off an '02 from a wrecker. Cost me $400 but I figure that's only a little more than the new master cylinder. If there are any dramas I have a 7 day refund or exchange guarantee, someting you don't have buying off ebay.

good work..good idea...good luck..its all good... good-o