Cleaning Brake Calipers

[Subike]

Brakes are often neglected, it's not unusual to find calipers partially or completely siezed. Given the commonality of this, any second hand bike you obtain should be hit up with some gentle loving from hot soapy water and a toothbrush... .

After reading this, it got me thinking.
I am at the moment doing some maintenance to my bike
1979 Yamaha XS Eleven E
As I am going to remove the front wheel assembly tomorrow, and give everything a good clean up, is it wise to dissassemble the caliper and master cylinder to clean it?
I E remove the piston, polish it, scrub up the inside of the cylinder, blow out the lines with compressed air, reassemble using existing seals, (none availabile at the moment ) refit to bike, refill, bleed and test.
I have no problem in doing this work as I have experiance in mechanics.

My question is

What sort of soap would be the best, as some contain corrosives, others abrasives, some leave residue, so peoples......recomend!

[imdying]

Nothing special, just a splash of car wash in an icecream container of hot water will be fine. Once you're done you can rinse the parts in a meths/water mix to remove ay residue if it concerns you Then just blow it out with compressed air as you say.

I would not touch the master cylinder, often when they're disturbed they give out and the seals need replacing. If you're concerned that it's probably past its used by date, then sure strip it down. There's places you can go to get kits other than OEM, most things are available.

[awayatc]

I would not touch the master cylinder, often when they're disturbed they give out and the seals need replacing. If you're concerned that it's probably past its used by date, then sure strip it down. There's places you can go to get kits other than OEM, most things are available.

Agree 100 %, get kit first before you pull master cylinder apart....what comes apart doesn't necesarily go back together again in one piece.....
Either that, or do it when you can afford a lot of downtime on your bike.
(winter?)

Replacing brake fluid might be worth looking at...

[imdying]

Ja, always nice to have the parts on hand

[FROSTY:Me]

If it was me on your bike I'd be pushing the piston out and polish it up until it shines. Id be hauling out the fluid in the caliper and wiping out all the gunge then putting rubberlube onto the seals. Other than flushing clean fluid through the system thats as much as I'd do without a seal kit available.

[imdying]

If you have a word with me at the CWNR, I'll have a look and see if I think I can sort out seals for the caliper at the very least. The square section orings distort, and then right themselves, which is how the piston retracts back. When they get old and knackered, it makes them drag a little, and generally just makes the 'feel', feel horrible. Generally on Yamahas of that age they just have an 1-1/2" caliper piston, so no drama there. I can sort you some out, so if you really want to give it some love and you've a spare hour early Saturday morning, I might be your man Could probably also sort out a low expansion rubber hose to replace your old one, that's likely to make a dramatic difference to front brake feel too (assuming your old one is as old as the bike as many are )

[Subike]

Cheers for that guys
I will forstall the complete master cylinder strip down till winter, taking your advice.
So will just do the pistons as suggested, flush and refill with new fluid as suggested.
I know I will be looking at new rotors in the near future, but that also will be a winter time job, amoung a few other serious plans afoot for the xsessive.

[awayatc]

If you have a word with me at the CWNR, I'll have a look and see if I think I can sort out seals for the caliper at the very least. The square section orings distort, and then right themselves, which is how the piston retracts back. When they get old and knackered, it makes them drag a little, and generally just makes the 'feel', feel horrible. Generally on Yamahas of that age they just have an 1-1/2" caliper piston, so no drama there. I can sort you some out, so if you really want to give it some love and you've a spare hour early Saturday morning, I might be your man Could probably also sort out a low expansion rubber hose to replace your old one, that's likely to make a dramatic difference to front brake feel too (assuming your old one is as old as the bike as many are )

Good to see some helpfull people around....
Good on ya....

[imdying]

I'm actually an oppresive nazi, I just happen to be mad about bikes