Bryan's 1989 FJ1200 rebirth in Poplar Grove, IL

[Millietant]

Piston and seal kits are not that expensive and are simple enough to fit (although I've only done my clutch and rear master cylinder ones that were leaking, not seized).....but then again, neither is that full FZ1 set up on eBay 

[Waiex191]

I just bought the $75 master/calipers/hoses one on eBay. That piston is stuck.  It's a sign!  Thanks for that link and the education Dean and DavidR.

[Waiex191]

Because I'm on hold for my new FZ1 brakes to arrive, I switched to working clutch hydraulics.  There was still fluid in the MC but it didn't look great.  I could see the piston was moving with the lever - a real plus.  I think I'll take it apart anyway.  I used shop air to pop out the piston.  It was all pretty gunky inside.  Cleaning time.

[Millietant]

And you get a nice adjustable spa not brake lever with it too 

[FJ_Hooligan]

You might even be able to use those brakelines.  The calipers I bought were off an R1 or R6.  The lines were too short to work on the FJ.  But, I already had SS lines on it anyway.

[Millietant]

Even if not David, the flexible rubber FJ lines fit and can take up the slight change in banjo angle on the calipers.

I put them on my 2nd FJ with the original hoses initially, but when I put them on my main FJ, I used new braided stainless lines (replaced the old braided lines I had on, which had tacky blue/red connectors and banjo's) which make the angle adjustment really simple (loosen off, twist and re-tighten  ). I also kept the FJ brake splitter, but as Bryan has got the FZ1 unit he could also check to see if that fits too.

[Waiex191]

I'll use one of those sets of brakelines if I can.  I would not mind fabricating a set.  I found this company:
https://shop.revivalcycles.com/motorcycle-parts/brake/

Not sure if that is the best source of parts or not.  Also I wonder why there is a splitter rather than having two lines off of the master.  Would that be better or worse?  Would be two less banjo fittings and no splitter.

Too bad I spent all that time working on my calipers.  Maybe I can ebay them off, but not sure they have a lot of value.  Ooh, I know.  I can fit them to my GN400. 

[Waiex191]

If I was to make my own brake lines, any reason I shouldn't get a double banjo bolt for the MC and run two lines, rather than use a splitter?

[fj1289]

I think that is a better arrangement.   Makes it easier to thoroughly bleed the system. 

[Millietant]

If I was to make my own brake lines, any reason I shouldn't get a double banjo bolt for the MC and run two lines, rather than use a splitter?

No reason, many people do - I'm certain in extreme conditions, ie racing, the 2 line set-up is definitely better.

Personally, I just prefer to have as few things as possible cluttering up my handlebar area and like the idea of the splitter. The improvement gained by having 2 separate hoses is not something I think I would be able to detect, or feel, in normal road use - given how much better than original FJ my brakes already are (FZ1 m/cly, R1 calipers, braised hoses and 320mm discs).

[Waiex191]

My main thought of running two lines off the master is two less banjo fittings - at $20 each it is less money even considering the extra foot or two of line at $6/foot.  I can see it being easier to bleed also.

[fj1289]

Another way ito run two lines is the Suzuki method - one line from master to right brake caliper, double banjo, and short line over the fender to the left caliper.  Probably less line used and only 3 banjos - but probably more difficult to bleed. 

[Waiex191]

Another way is to run two lines is the Suzuki method - one line from master to right brake caliper, double banjo, and short line over the fender to the left caliper.  Probably less line used and only 3 banjos - but probably more difficult to bleed. 

Interesting.  I had thought of that, and considered posting it, but rejected it due to the high spot above the bleeders.  It is less line but the same amount of banjos - two for each line, two lines, so 4 banjos instead of 3.  Unless there are banjos with two line connections out there.

In conjunction with that crazy idea, I had also considered finding or making adapters for the calipers to iso bubble flares.  I could plumb the lower forks with hard line, and run a single stainless braided line from the MC to the lower forks.  I think I'm over that now.

[fj1289]

I should have been more clear and stated "banjo bolts" vice banjos.  Yes, same connectors and fasteners either way you run two lines between three points. 

[Waiex191]

So it looks like the Spiegler lines from RPM may be a little cheaper than DIY, assuming a 2-line setup.
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=S-YA0146&cat=39

Has anybody used these with the blue spot monoblock calipers?  I guess when I get them I'll see if the banjo fittings are in the same spot or not.

Also the picture at RPM shows a 2-place banjo bolt, but the text says no banjo bolts.  Anybody know if that bolt is actually included or if that is just a serving suggestion?