Caliper overhaul

I finally got around to starting the front brake overhaul. As someone suggested, I am working with the caliper off the parts bike. It was already off and allows me less down time with my rider!

I got it cleaned up and torn down. That caliper seal is no joke! I had to take it to NTB to use their air compressor. Taking heed to the warnings of airborne pistons, I tied a shop rag over the piston, around the caliper. I sure am glad I thought to take that precaution. With pressure in the banjo whole, she slowly worked free until POP. Out she came, with great force. With the rag in place, it actually startled us when it popped free! I'd hate to find myself on the receiving end of a wild piston!

With blue fuel lines and some sweet translucent blue SS brake lines, I figured the caliper would look nice blue as well. For that I chose Rust-Oleum Engine Enamel. It is a close match with the new lines.

With the new paint I went with a new 2 tone paint scheme. The pics will better illustrate said plans. I was extra careful while taping it off. The valleys between the ridges will remain stock black along with the recessed circle behind the piston. In anticipation of brake dust, I thought it would be best to leave the innards black as well. I am just going to coat the inside of the brake pad pin hole with a liberal application of petroleum jelly.

Whats the best way to seat the piston when I get there? I was thinking C-clamp but after seeing how tight the seal is I am questioning if it will work?

At any rate, here are a few pics to hold us over. With any luck, I'll lay some paint on her tomorrow.

 

I used a c-clamp on mine. Just grease up the piston and seals with brake fluid first. (And don't forget the big round spring cir-clip on the dust seal!)
Seeing your pic reminds me, I've got to glue back on the chrome circle trim peice that goes in the blank round spot! (first pic)

 

The brakes are a little light than they appear here.

I realize I didn't have to strip it. However, I figured it would adhere better. In retrospect, I probably should have just scuffed it up a little and used it as a primer...

I used a Dremel tool with sanding bit to remove the old stuff. Hopefully it will adhere good. I'll be sure to add several light coats of paint and clear and hope I don't get any brake fluid on it

 

C-clamp, right on! Lube...check.

This caliper didn't have the chrome piece. Come to think of it, I'm not so sure the one on my bike does either. Hmm, maybe they just fell out? No big deal. I don't care for chrome anyhow.

 

Duplicolor make a paint for brake calipers. It comes in several colors and it holds up very well . I painted mine several years ago and they still look good.

 

+1 on the Dupli-color, it will hold up much better than the rustoleum.

I used a wooden dowel inside the piston to tap it back into place. Just make sure it sits dead center when you're doing it.

 

Thanks guys. I'll look around town for the Dupli-color. Hmm.... what am I going to paint with the Rust-oleum then?

 

My caliper re-seated using just my thumbs, and the grease supplied with the rebuild kit. Got to keep it straight though or it will bind up.

 

Sooo....it feels like I haven't been on in forever. That being said, to make a long story short, my son is due TMW, 22nd! We tried for years and the docs said not gonna happen naturally. It has been a long "9" months but he is coming any day now!

Now the long overdue update: I went with what I had and liked the multicolor idea. I did paint it a long time ago when I started this. It remained hanging on my back porch for over a year now! It was off the parts bike so there was no rush....


After I finish this post, I'll go put it back together finally! Next, will be the master cylinder rebuild then I can finally get them on the bike with the new blue brake lines! Hopefully bleeding them wont be as terrible as some describe.

 

back together at last!



just as piece of mind, this is the correct orientation of the Anti-rattle Spring, correct? with the pointy side facing into the piston? I figure this must be correct, only way i could get it in there...

 

i got my stuck pistons out with a grease gun attached to the bleeder. I took the washer that comes on a banjo bolt to "blank" it out, started pumping and out it came. It leaves a slight mess to clean up, but it came out nice and slow (60 seconds maybe) and I was able to do it at home. Entire rebuild of both front calipers took less than an hour.