Brakes on your "new" bike.

So when I picked up my new (to me) xj750m a couple weeks ago I was notified that the only problem was a caliper seal blow out on one of the front calipers. I decided on a complete front brake system rebuild consisting of rebuilding the master cylinder, both front calipers, and going to stainless steel brake lines. Initially I just picked up the seal kits for the calipers anticipating a fairly simple job. The first caliper was easy, broke it down, stripped the crappy yellow paint off, resprayed it black, cleaned the bore and the seal housings, and reassembled. The second one was more difficult. The piston didn't want to come out easily, though I did eventually get it out with just compressed air. One of the first things I noticed was that whomever did the yellow paint job on the calipers did a sloppy job and got paint into the seal housings in the caliper. After the cleanup and respray I attempted reassembly only to discover that the piston that was used in the last "rebuild" was the wrong piston and wouldn't go fully back into the bore, which explains the entire problem that the PO had with the front brake. So I have since purchased 2 complete rebuild kits with seals and pistons just to make sure things are done right with no more monkey business. So remember, when you get a 30 year old motorcycle don't assume that (any) of your maintenance was done properly unless you and/or a certified professional has checked to make sure things have been done properly! Your life depends on it.

 

Now check the rear: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

 

That's next on the agenda. Along with replacing the valve cover seals (top end oil leak), and rebuilding the forks.

 

Do your Valve shims too

 

Switched out to stainless lines yesterday, good thing too. The rubber lines on there were from 1982.