Front Brake Upgrades For '89 FJ1200?

[~JM~]

I've been trying the search feature but end up with a lot of posts to sift through. What modifications are usually performed to help make the front brakes actually work better than the rear?

Thank you
~JM~

[Pat Conlon]

<begin rant> First and foremost replace those 25 year oem rubber brake lines asap. They are long over due.<end rant>

Blue spot/gold spot (axial mount) calipers made for the Yamaha YZF R-1/R-6, FZ-1, etc, are popular and will bolt right up to your '89 forks. Yamaha made these calipers on these bikes up 'till 2006 (? someone please check me on this) when Yamaha converted over to the radial mount calipers (which won't fit on your FJ)

These superior calipers used with a 14mm master cylinder will give you great front brake modulation, control and feedback. Far superior to oem.

This has been discussed many times, search for 'blue spots' or front brake

[~JM~]

Thanks for the info.

I tried a search on "Front Brake" and it came back with 27 pages full of posts. Most of them had nothing to do with the Front Brake. I did see mention of Blue Dot, Gold Dot, Polka Dot, front calipers but not what they were. I was hoping to find a Files Section or FAQ on the front brake system.

I happen to have what I believe is an R6 Master Cylinder, but have not I.D'd it properly yet.

Here it is:

Anything else anyone would like to add?

Thank you
~JM~

[Pat Conlon]

The picture of the master cylinder you posted is a 'radial' type master cylinder, which is the newer design used on sport bikes.
I can not comment on this because I do not have one installed, so I don't know. I use the 'axial' (conventional) type 14mm master cylinder from a 2004 FZ-1.

Be careful, proper piston sizing is important or you will negate the effects of your upgraded calipers.
Here's a excellent post from Larry, a long time Ducati rider from San Diego on the subject:
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/80-hall-wisdom/27159-conventional-axial-vs-radial-master-cylinders.html

I do know, on conventional master cylinders, 14mm seems to be the sweet spot. But Radials? I don't know, other FJ'ers who have a radial m/c can join in here.

We do like to tease those FJ'ers who have master cylinders with 'urine cups' as brake fluid reservoirs, and the pink stripe bikes get a double dose.

[aviationfred]

I just ordered a 2012 Kawasaki ZX10R master cylinder. The piston bore is 10mm. Once I receive the master cylinder and install it, I will post the results of the braking characteristics.

Fred

[markmartin]

Blue dot  calipers like Pat said.

I've got this similar MC and lever and like it:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-04-YAMAHA-FZ1-FZ1000-FZ-1000-FRONT-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-NO-RESERVE-NR-/190801142960?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6ca264b0&vxp=mtr#ht_1177wt_932

Get some new EBC pads in the calipers.  Randy at RPM will sell you the right ones.

As mentioned, get rid of the OEM rubber lines and get some good stainless steel braided lines.  I like Spiegler brand lines because they are the most user friendly to install.

New disc rotors can't hurt.  My original rotors wore out at about 60K.  I'm not sure how much mileage you have.  I went with the EBC discs and they are fine.  A bunch of members  here are having the same results with Chinese made wave knockoffs sold on EBay at half the price of the EBC's

EDIT:  I just looked at the MC in the ebay link I posted...the lever looks bent to me.  Maybe it's not. ? Anyway, there are others on ebay similar to this one.  BTW, this MC will give you a 'original equiptment' look with the coffin style MC.

[airheadPete]

Yep, just did the brake upgrade with blue-dots and an FZ-1 master. The color refers to the anodizing of the centers of the brake calipers, it's age dependent. Really doesn't mean anything, both are good. Sorta age dependent, blues are older than golds. Someone said that the difference is that blues have steel pistons and golds are aluminum. (Anyone want to verify that?) If you want, I could dig out the pn# of the master I used; (might be a few days though.) Used HH EBC pads from Randy. Made a helluva difference, you'll not regret it!

[movenon]

The price looks good ! They are not mine and I have no affiliation with the product or owner , just looking at them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-02-YAMAHA-R6-FRONT-BRAKE-CALIPERS-AND-LINES-/121157069485?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c35862aad&vxp=mtr

George

[JMR]

Go Brembo. I had this set up on my original 16" 87 front end. Nice.

[~JM~]

Go Brembo. I had this set up on my original 16" 87 front end. Nice.

What set up? I know that Brembo has been producing the brake masters & calipers for some of the new Sports Bikes, but don't know which ones.

My bike has 24K of strictly touring miles until I bought it. Now I'm riding it more aggresively. The back brake works great but not the front. Usually it is the opposite. I'm a huge believer in braided stainless steel lines. That addition goes without saying.

Are there any snags in swapping master cylinders? Do all 7/8" bar masters physically fit? I once replaced an OEM Honda master with one from a Ducati Monster & was stunned at the performance difference, plus the used Ducati master cost less than the OEM Honda replacement.

Who all has used a Brembo manufactured master & what donor cycles did the master come from?

Thank you
~JM~

[JMR]

Go Brembo. I had this set up on my original 16" 87 front end. Nice.

What set up? I know that Brembo has been producing the brake masters & calipers for some of the new Sports Bikes, but don't know which ones.

My bike has 24K of strictly touring miles until I bought it. Now I'm riding it more aggresively. The back brake works great but not the front. Usually it is the opposite. I'm a huge believer in braided stainless steel lines. That addition goes without saying.

Are there any snags in swapping master cylinders? Do all 7/8" bar masters physically fit? I once replaced an OEM Honda master with one from a Ducati Monster & was stunned at the performance difference, plus the used Ducati master cost less than the OEM Honda replacement.

Who all has used a Brembo manufactured master & what donor cycles did the master come from?

Thank you
~JM~

I used the rotors and calipers....it was a kit that I bought from Slater Bros (that is long out of production). Master was from a ZX-7. It worked very well. I switched to the late model front end and curently use those blue dot calipers and floating rotors from Spiegler....master is 14mm. I have thought about making caliper hangers for the Brembo calipers but time is a problem. I might just sell the calipers, rotors, brackets....they fit the 16" wheel.
I'd check fairing clearance if you want to use a radial cylinder master...they stick out quite a bit compared to older convential masters.

[JCainFJ]

Pete,

Yes the Gold dot calipers do have lighter pistons, and I think they are aluminum. The total weight difference is 100g for the pair.

JM,

That master looks like the Nissin 19mm that I use. Mine came from a 2006 GSXR600. It is the best master I have used with the blue and gold dot calipers that I have on 8 of my bikes.
If you go with the blue / gold dot calipers, braided lines, the master you have found and fresh pads you will like the results. I have had very good luck with the stock Sumotomo G-G pads that came in the b/g dot calipers. I have a friend who is the shop manager at a Yamaha shop and he gives me the G-G pads that customers replace with EBC H-H pads, so I think I have a lifetime supply.
If you do this brake upgrade you will have the best results if you remove contamination from your discs. I glass bead my discs every time I change pads. This is a good article to read on the  subject.

Racing Brake Pad | Bed-In Procedures

http://www.braketech.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=17&Itemid=69&limitstart=7

[~JM~]

Are these the calipers that I'm looking for?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170983924851?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1405wt_932

Take a look at that cross-over tube. I'm concerned that these are possibly 2007.


~JM~

[rktmanfj]

Are these the calipers that I'm looking for?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170983924851?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1405wt_932


~JM~

Those, while not the most desirable of the blue spots, would have worked just fine.

Great price, too...     

[aviationfred]

I saw that they are sold. If you bought these, you got them and the master cylinder at a great price. They will bolt right up to your forks. Add Stainless lines, New HH pads and bead blast or new rotors and you will be all set to have great stopping power.

Fred