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New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:13 pm
by Mopar_Tony_SF1
Is there a source for new OEM style, or an aftermarket more modern style master cylinder? I have an old Magura universal fit piece on mine and its in need of replacement. 79 CBX. Thanks

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:25 pm
by daves79x
Randakk has one and I think David Silver carries a more conventional replacement.

Dave

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:14 am
by BiPolarBear
I have the Randakk replacement, and it's brilliant; beautiful, progressive feel and two-finger braking. Although it isn't the best looking thing in the world. But then, neither am I....

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:10 am
by Jeff Bennetts
BiPolarBear wrote:I have the Randakk replacement, and it's brilliant; beautiful, progressive feel and two-finger braking. Although it isn't the best looking thing in the world. But then, neither am I....

How about some pics of it mounted on your bike?

NOT you, the master cylinder.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:43 am
by Rick Pope
Jeff,

It's the same one you saw on my CB750 last weekend. It appears to be the same as what Jim Zemanek had on his customs, from a Super Hawk, 929, 954, etc.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:15 am
by Jeff Bennetts
Rick Pope wrote:Jeff,

It's the same one you saw on my CB750 last weekend. It appears to be the same as what Jim Zemanek had on his customs, from a Super Hawk, 929, 954, etc.
I wonder why BPB is calling them ugly, because of the remote reservoirs maybe?

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:44 pm
by Rick Pope
Doesn't fit the "period" as well with the remote resevoir, but functionally it's nice.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:22 am
by BiPolarBear
I'm on the road right now, but I'll take a snap and post it when I return home. Compared to the rather smallish square stock reservoir, the Randakk replacement is a larger cylindrical reservoir, a bit more eye-catching, but correct looking for the period.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:57 am
by NobleHops
Yeah, I thought I had gone the distance with my brakes - switched to a two-line braided steel setup, bought 900F rotors and ZXBob gifted me a nice set of twin-pot calipers that I totally rebuilt, new pistons, etc. I had the rotors refinished and drilled by TrueDisk, and installed a new set of pads. Broke it all in by the book, progressively harder stops, with full cool down (while rolling) in between, relined and rebuilt master cylinder, yadda yadda yadda. They still feel like play doh to me, but in fact it occurs to me that I only have 300 or so miles on them since the last spasm of work.

There is plenty of braking power, and the lever is hard, but there's no initial bite and not much feel. It might just be the comparison to the very good brakes on my BMWs, or maybe it IS the feeble master cylinder. That's the last thing to try, a more powerful master cylinder.

N.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 11:39 am
by Larry Zimmer
Nils, could your initial feel/bite thing be the pads themselves? I'm no expert (not even close); but, if the pads are a bit more performance oriented, it could be they just need to get a bit 'warm' before they develop some initial lighter lever braking. Either that or the disk material/finish. I'd go more with the pad material.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 12:35 pm
by NobleHops
It's certainly possible Larry - They were no-name pads that Bob gave me free with the calipers, and I'm usually an OEM guy for brake pads, especially Honda. What do you like?

N.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:00 pm
by Larry Zimmer
I've been using EBC organic/Kevlar pads lately. Overall, I like them. One small issue was squeal!! Cured that by cutting chamfers (using 60 grit sandpaper backed by the garage floor) on both ends of the pad about 30 deg by 1/4" (along the pad face). Haven't heard a peep since. Others, such as guru Dave, says just do stock pads and all is well. I expect he's right. Prices are comparable.

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:19 pm
by Randakk
There's a good photo of the master cylinder referenced above here:

http://www.randakks.com/CBX%20Farkles.htm

Image

Ugly? I think it's gorgeous :)

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 3:39 pm
by Mopar_Tony_SF1
Did some research and found a decent solution for an aftermarket master cylinder. Wilwood Handlebar Master Cylinder (link below). I installed one a few weeks ago and it works great. 5/8" bore for same brake pressure as stock. Unit bled up solid quickly. When I'm able to I'll post install pictures. Comments:

Cost is about about $70 to $80. Easy to find (Ebay, Jegs, etc.). About $10 cheaper than the 16mm universal Magura (which is what I replacing on my bike due to leaks and sticky piston). I found mine locally for under $50.

Engineered and made in USA. Construction is good. Powder coated housing. I've used Wilwood products for years and always found their products to be top quality.

You will need to get a new banjo bolt if you are replacing a stocker as the bolt output port threads are M10X1. Does not come with copper washers for the banjo fitting. I strongly suggest using Stat-O-Seals anyway - reusable and never leak.

Does not come with brake light switch, but is machined for common quarter inch pencil switches.

Does not have a tapped hole for the mirror; its a thru-hole. You will need a mirror with a thread long enough for a nut.

I got the one with the short lever as its all I could find in a pinch locally. The lever off my old magura fit fine on the Wilwood. The Wilwood lever has a park brake / line lock thing on it (great for burnouts!).

Fit has less of a stock look than the Magura since the banjo bolt stick out farther than the Magua or OEM. But being black with the white reservoir, its has the OEM look from 5 feet away or so.

http://www.wilwood.com/MasterCylinders/ ... 20Cylinder

Short Lever
Image

Long Lever
Image

Re: New Front Master Cylinder Source?

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 4:51 pm
by NobleHops
Tony, that kicks ass. Great info.

Do you think a person could put a timesert in that through-hole to retain stock mirrors?

N.