Brake caliper identification help

Fjfreude

XS650 Enthusiast
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I recently got a 76 xs650c with what appears to be a newer 35mm front end. However, I cant seem to identify the brake caliper. The pads were worn diagonally and the caliper needs a good cleaning. However, the caliper and the pads do not look like they are from an xs650, so I wonder if thats part of the wear problem.

Anyone able to tell me what these are from? If they are the wrong calipers, I'de probably rather just install the right ones. At the least ide like to get the correct replacement pads.

 
What a hermaphrodite brake contraption!
but I bet pads for this;
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/1981/xj650lh/front-brake-caliper
MjIzMTMwMw-17e22775.png

will work

https://www.ebay.com/itm/yamaha-xj-...309715?hash=item264578eb53:g:6qEAAOSw-exeWsXa
 
Thanks Gary! Glad to know Im not going crazy. Interesting, those pads look like they are angled new. I thought that was some kind of weird brake wear.

I see a bunch of decent '79+ xs650 calipers on ebay for the price of new pads plus the rebuild kit Ide need for this one. I think ide rather get as close to whats supposed to be on there as possible. Im thinking the rotor is still an xs650 given that it doesnt have any holes so it should be plug and play. Think there would be any issues with that approach?
 

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Will need to check the fork leg brake lug bolt centers and distance from the rotor OD to see if the
xs650 caliper carrier will bolt to them. Yeah those pads wear funny as the caliper pivots on that pin.
 
Not sure what that's from, definitely not a 650, but yes, I'd switch back to original. The stock calipers are plentiful and a dime a dozen.
 
This should be enough to see if that fork will accept the xs650 caliper carrier.
16053956257741119352216.jpg
 
Forks appear to be from an 1981ish XS400 special. So check the rotor OD, it's prolly smaller than an XS650 rotor.

upload_2020-11-14_20-12-13.png
 
Thanks! Looks like an xs650 caliper will fit right on. I really appreciate the pic.

Rotor is ~294mm diameter and 7mm thickness, so adjusting for my human error (and not taking the wheel off) I think that matches the xs650 size.
 
I recently got a 76 xs650c with what appears to be a newer 35mm front end. However, I cant seem to identify the brake caliper. The pads were worn diagonally and the caliper needs a good cleaning. However, the caliper and the pads do not look like they are from an xs650, so I wonder if thats part of the wear problem.
Anyone able to tell me what these are from? If they are the wrong calipers, I'de probably rather just install the right ones. At the least ide like to get the correct replacement pads.

Hi Fj,
Those forward-mounted axle swivelling pad braked forks are from an XS750/850/11 Special.
The pads are SUPPOSED to be tapered!
I threw my XS11 Spacial's pads away because they'd "worn all funny" and fished 'em out again when the new ones were like it too.
If the Special forks have their original tripletrees the bike will steer normally..
If the Special fork legs are mounted in Standard 'trees the reduced trail will be perfect for sidecar work.
 
I think the previous owner said the tank is from a 75 XS500.

They're very similar. I wonder if the fixing points on the XS500 tank are closer to the 650 than mine are. I won't have to do much to make it fit, just extend the front frame brackets rearward by an inch or so, in a reversible fashion so that I can go back to the 650's tank if it doesn't work out.
Reason for the tank swap is the extra couple of litres the 400 tank gives me. Never been a fan of stupidly small tanks on specials.
 
They're very similar. I wonder if the fixing points on the XS500 tank are closer to the 650 than mine are. I won't have to do much to make it fit, just extend the front frame brackets rearward by an inch or so, in a reversible fashion so that I can go back to the 650's tank if it doesn't work out.
Reason for the tank swap is the extra couple of litres the 400 tank gives me. Never been a fan of stupidly small tanks on specials.

Hi Grimly,

an XS650 650 Standard tank.JPGStandard tank drops straight onto an XS650 Special
 
Hi Fj,
Those forward-mounted axle swivelling pad braked forks are from an XS750/850/11 Special.
The pads are SUPPOSED to be tapered!
I threw my XS11 Spacial's pads away because they'd "worn all funny" and fished 'em out again when the new ones were like it too.
If the Special forks have their original tripletrees the bike will steer normally..
If the Special fork legs are mounted in Standard 'trees the reduced trail will be perfect for sidecar work.

@fredintoon I dont know how I missed your comment. I just saw it. The bike seems to steer just fine so I dont know what happened here. As you can tell its a bit of a frankenbike.

Can you explain what you mean by "If the Special fork legs are mounted in Standard 'trees the reduced trail will be perfect for sidecar work." Ide like to keep my eye out for issues, in case there is a problem.
 
Take a look at the drawing in post 2. Notice the forward axle mount. That's what Fred is referring to. Different triple trees were used with that to achieve the same rake and trail as a standard center mount axle (like yours) would give. In other words, what he's saying won't apply in your case. You should experience no handling "quirks" with your forks. Their center mounted axle is the same as all the 650 forks.
 
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