Brake caliper refurbishment

Scuzi

Scuzi

Scuzi

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The next step in my bike restoration project is the brake calipers. They looked fine visually however on removing the pistons to replace the deals, I found the seals had degraded so bad they had melted all over the pistons and caliper.

I found these guys http://www.powerhouse.uk/content/mo...cycle-brake-caliper-refurbishment-service.php

Has anyone used them? I don't know whether or not to go for a rebuild or a full overhaul. It's an old bike, 1991 Yamaha XTZ 750, so I'm not worried about having shiney bits - just functional. The full repaint job is about £280 for all 3 calipers. It's about £200 for just a rebuild.

Thoughts?
 
I probably could but I've already scratched up one piston trying to pull it out and they're caked in 25 years worth of crap which brake cleaner and a toothbrush are not cutting through :p
 
I got a full set of refurbed calipers from them with their exchange program because it worked out only a little more expensive than new seals, pistons and doing it myself plus I got them in bling gold.

Very quick service and good quality work. I'd happily use them again if needed.
 
Ok I have underestimated, didn't realise they ripped us off for pistons, £20 each for mine!!

Complete seal kits are still around £35 though.
 
This thread has reminded me I need to get some piston pliers so I can give mine a going over in a month or 2.
 
Scuzi said:
The next step in my bike restoration project is the brake calipers. They looked fine visually however on removing the pistons to replace the deals, I found the seals had degraded so bad they had melted all over the pistons and caliper.

I found these guys http://www.powerhouse.uk/content/mo...cycle-brake-caliper-refurbishment-service.php

Has anyone used them? I don't know whether or not to go for a rebuild or a full overhaul. It's an old bike, 1991 Yamaha XTZ 750, so I'm not worried about having shiney bits - just functional. The full repaint job is about £280 for all 3 calipers. It's about £200 for just a rebuild.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Sounds a bit expensive I reckon, especially if it does only need seals and you're not bothered about shiny new-looking bits. Seals are easy to replace & pretty cheap to buy. Depending on the caliper, you could even split it if you want and give it a proper clean in bits.

I bet a new pads, slider pin, seals and a clean will do the trick :)

tom_e said:
This thread has reminded me I need to get some piston pliers so I can give mine a going over in a month or 2.
Click to expand...

If you're just cleaning, take the pads out and pump a couple of times so you can get the salt and dirt off the exposed bits.

If you're removing the pistons, you can pump them out quite easily, just make sure they come out equally when pumping else one will pop out & you'll lose pressure to pop the other. I wouldn't remove the pistons though unless you're replacing the seals. Removing the pistons can damage seals and doesn't really help anything.
 
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Craig321 said:
If you're just cleaning, take the pads out and pump a couple of times so you can get the salt and dirt off the exposed bits.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I do: take one calliper off, remove the pads, put a 17mm and 10mm spanner in between the pistons, pump them out until they're tight against the spanners, then use a toothbrush with soapy water ton give the pistons and callipers a good scrubbing, them push the pistons back in and another quick scrub. Spray some brake cleaner to get rid of any soapy water and refit. Repeat on the other side.
 
A new stainless steel piston with seals is £22.38 at Wemoto. AFAIK the Tenere only has two pistons per caliper, so even if you need four pistons it would be a good saving.
 
I think my calipers are the same as the SP2 (if not it's a slight diameter difference in the pistons) - £25 per piston with seals, that's £200 if I was do replace all the pistons... AKA 1/5th of what the bike is worth!
 
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