Brake lever - Master Cylinder Swap?

So, here's what I've been thinking! I want to work on turning my Maxim, into a street tracker. It's know it's going to take a while but it's going to fun since I love figuring things out. And each addition will be like a new present.

The Question: Will I be able to use most brake master cylinders on this bike? Here's what mine looks like at the moment...



I also need some new left and right hand controls!

 

First - that's an aftermarket master cylinder - not a stock item.
The stock ones were for the buckhorn bars, and wouldn't have worked well on the flatter track bars.
You should be able to use just about any master cylinder/brake made for 7/8" bars -- look for ones that say they're made for track or drag bars to make sure they'll work.

 

Hi Altus,

Thanks for the quick response! I'm glad to hear I can go with just about any master cylinder for a track bar set up. I'm guessing then that any would work fine with the stock front caliper. I think I'm missing an important part of what you were saying about the stock master cylinder working well with the stock buckhorn bars, but not as well with my flatter bars. What are those important differences?

 

Does the MC you have now work OK? Not spongy at all? If so, there should be a size stamped on the body of the MC somewhere (14, 16, 5/8, etc). That is the MC bore size.

You need to get a MC with the same size as this - they are not all the same.

Also, some Jap cruiser MC's are for 1" bars, not 7/8". Just so you know.

 

If you want to swap the master cylinder out for another bike, make sure you get the right size bore (smaller for single disc, larger bore for dual front disc brakes) is important.
I'm gathering all the parts for mine (XJ 570 Seca with cable activated master cylinder) and I'm looking at master sylinders from four wheelers that are made for dual discs and have a brake light switch on them also (kinda important also!)
Most later model V-twin metric cruisers now have 1" handlebars, just so you know as you will need a 7/8" mount.

 

Because of the large amount of bend in the stock bars, the stock master cylinder is designed in such a way to let the reservoir sit flat/level, and the mirrors angle properly. If you try to put that m/c on flat bars, everything's out of whack (as many people can attest to).

As for the bore of the m/c - it's true it is important; however I didn't mention it because if you have a single disc and get an m/c for a dual, having a larger bore than needed isn't really a big problem. As your sig says you have the same bike as I do, we only have the single front disc (unless you've upgraded?) It's only an issue if you have dual discs, and get an m/c for a single with the smaller bore -- then you'd have a problem.

 

Pure Gold guys! Thank you for this extremely helpful info. Painter... let me know which ATV Master Cylinder you end up going with. I'd love to check it out! Thanks for pointing out the brake light switch as I wasn't thinking about that point when shopping.

Hillsy: My current MC is a (Nissin #14) and it seems to work fine. It's a shame the PO wiped out and cracked the lid, hence the brake fluid leak and destroyed paint.

Thanks again and hopefully some other members will post what MC's they've swapped to and how they handle.

 

Palmer,
Just do a search on Ebay for "Yamaha master cylinders" and you'll find plenty to chose from. I need one for dual disc brakes, so most any from four wheelers will work (they have two front wheels/brakes) so I'll make sure they also include the brake switch with them. I haven't bought one yet, but will soon. I need one that's level for my aftermarket bars, so those are a good choice.
The one from a Yamaha 660 Grizzly looks like a winner to me, but there's 2000+ to choose from there so I'm not too worried about getting one.

 

was thinking of doing the same, the MC on my recent acquistion has seen better days and I can't see thru the window given its all weather cracked etc. Where would I then mount the RH mirror? On my Seca, its intergrated on the corner of the MC housing. Mirrors...so over rated

 

About the brake light switch. Are they interchangeable or do you have to rewire the switch. That wouldn't be that hard but it would figure in to my thinking.

 

FZR masters have a LH thread mount on the unit. I used a 14mm one here:




It's a bit small for the double discs - really needs a 16mm :roll:

 

Jotr,
I have my present mirrors on a separate mount so that wouldn't be an issue.

The brake light switch can be incorperated into the existing harness with just two wires as the plug on the end probably won't be the same as mine.

 

Hey guys,

Just found this brake system on CL-

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/1681949849.html

How could I make a dual front caliper system work on my XJ? Would I have to go with different forks and front wheel?

 

Yes, you will need the dual mounts for the calipers like there is on ly '82 750 Seca. Some of the other models only have one disc, with only one mount on one fork.
I found this out when I was going to change out the 750 Maxim forks onto my Seca and then noticed there was only one fork that had mounts for the calipers and that wouldn't work!
You 'd have to find an entire fork setup with dual brakes on it already. Late model sport bikes are a good choice if you can make them fit.

 

Palmer........the most direct bolt-on swap is to acqquire a 1982 or 1983 XJ750 Maxim (or Midnight Maxim) front end with the calipers, rotors, and master cylinder.......rebuild everything before you install it......and then retain your XJ650 upper and lower steering brackets, and your front wheel (or use the 750 Max front wheel, it's the same)......and you're done!

The 1983 XJ750 Maxim or Midnight Maxim forks are preferrable, but harder to find. I would strongly recommend against using XJ750 Seca forks....they'll fit, but are more complicated than what you actually need (they have an anti-dive system on them).

 

Wow, thanks for the great advice Painter and Chacal! I know this will help others mod their bikes as well.

THIS SITE IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST - HANDS DOWN!