Question about master cylinders.

[stevenbarker]

I am building a cafe racer, and I need your help with fitting a master cylinder for the front brake.

I am considering using a master cylinder from MikesXS. Either the 08-0255, or the slimline 08-4003. If you have one of those, can you measure the distance from the center of the lever pivot bolt to the center of the banjo fitting for me? I'd appreciate it!

 

[pamcopete]

This is the 08-0255. 62mm or 2.441 inches.

I have installed about 6 of these M/C 's on various bikes and they are the best. Rock solid.

Really cool bike!

 

[stevenbarker]

Thanks, Pete! That's just the info I needed. And with photographic proof, too!

Pete, do happen to know if the stock XS650 master cylinder is the same dimensions as the mikesXS master cylinder (08-0255) that you have? The reason I'm asking is because I'm trying to find a master cylinder that will fit with the very short upper brake line I have on my bike. My upper brake line is just barely long enough to reach my stock TX500 master cylinder (which measures 4" from lever bolt to banjo); it's not long enough to reach the 08-0255.

 

[pamcopete]

stevenbarker,

Well, the stock M/C is similar except that the banjo bolt hole is on the end of the cylinder instead of on the side.

Why don't you just replace the upper hose with a longer one, or buy the single piece SS hose from MikesXS? His SS braided one piece hose is 41" long for $29 Part #29-6504. This replaces both hoses and the hose manifold. If your hoses are original, then they should be replaced anyway.

Mike has two of the upper hoses with one fitting rotated 180 degrees, which you will need with the 08-0255 M/C/ The SS braided hose has both ends that can be rotated. The SS hose does not expand, so you get all the pressure to the caliper for a rock hard lever.

 

[stevenbarker]

Yep, I'll probably just get a longer line. I was going to rebuild my stock TX500 master cylinder, but the bore is pitted pretty badly. Thanks for the help Pete.

 

[xjwmx]

650central, twice as expensive but you get steel banjos instead of aluminum.

 

[gentlemanjim]

Love that 500 8 valve. Tell us more about your build and mods.

 

[stevenbarker]

So far, I have installed clip ons, made a seat and cowl from fiberglass, stretched the fuel tank (with the help of my neighbor Paul The Magic Welder), put on aluminum rims and new tires (Bridgestone Spitfires), made rearsets and a battery box. I shortened the throttle cables and clutch cable. The seat cover was sewn by my wife, Ming the Merciless.

I really raided the Yamaha parts bin for this project. Front fender from a Radian cruiser, fork brace from a DT-1 250, shift linkage from a FZR600, rims and front caliper and rims from an XS650, forks from a RD350, etc.

Still need: fuel lines wiring, rear turn signals, bracket for license plate and brake light, battery, proper mufflers etc, etc, etc.

 

[C-Los SD]

SWEET BIKE!! Is Paul the Magic Welder interested in fabbing more gas tanks. I have a XS750 tank I want slimmed down.