XSRocket
XS650 Member
Hi all! I finally got my '82 back into service after a top-end rebuild. I was never happy with the braking, so I took a look at the caliper and it seems like I'm in for an overhaul of the front brake system.
There are good guides on this forum for rebuilds of the caliper and MC but I'm debating a few upgrades while I'm at it. I was hoping to get some advice on those fronts.
I don't have a whole lot of experience with other bikes and I've never known what good stock braking feels like on this one, so that's kind of where I'm coming at this from. Are any significant upgrades worth jumping into from the get-go?
Caliper:
I think a new one is worth the $ to me here. The piston boot on the current one was just ...not there? The piston is all gunked up and corroded from what I can see, and I can't get it out of the caliper with compressed air. I don't think it was sliding correctly either.
Do I just go with a replacement from Mike's? Go for the upgrade to a brembo caliper with the phantom kit? See if I can salvage the old one after all?
Pads and rotor:
The pads seem to be in good shape, lots of life left. The rotor looks stock (not drilled) and looks ok, though I don't have the tools to measure properly.
Does anyone have experience with the rotor upgrades from 650central? Do I need to bother yet?
Lines:
Replacing. Are the braided steel from Mike's any good?
Do I need to do anything other than clean that L-shaped joint?
MC:
I should probably take it apart before I decide whether to rebuild or replace, I guess. Mine looks like the oem-type 13mm one on Mike's.
Is an upgrade (say to a brembo from 650central) worth doing?
Thanks!
There are good guides on this forum for rebuilds of the caliper and MC but I'm debating a few upgrades while I'm at it. I was hoping to get some advice on those fronts.
I don't have a whole lot of experience with other bikes and I've never known what good stock braking feels like on this one, so that's kind of where I'm coming at this from. Are any significant upgrades worth jumping into from the get-go?
Caliper:
I think a new one is worth the $ to me here. The piston boot on the current one was just ...not there? The piston is all gunked up and corroded from what I can see, and I can't get it out of the caliper with compressed air. I don't think it was sliding correctly either.
Do I just go with a replacement from Mike's? Go for the upgrade to a brembo caliper with the phantom kit? See if I can salvage the old one after all?
Pads and rotor:
The pads seem to be in good shape, lots of life left. The rotor looks stock (not drilled) and looks ok, though I don't have the tools to measure properly.
Does anyone have experience with the rotor upgrades from 650central? Do I need to bother yet?
Lines:
Replacing. Are the braided steel from Mike's any good?
Do I need to do anything other than clean that L-shaped joint?
MC:
I should probably take it apart before I decide whether to rebuild or replace, I guess. Mine looks like the oem-type 13mm one on Mike's.
Is an upgrade (say to a brembo from 650central) worth doing?
Thanks!