A quick update to say that I'm still working on my special & sourcing parts but I haven't actually done anything for ages beyond stripping the brakes down.
Initially I'm going to be using the CB550 (I think) master cylinder & reservoir with a pair of CB650 single piston calipers. I'm making a working assumption that this will give enough stopping power as the master cylinder is 5/8" which is the same as my GSXR750H m/cylinder - consequently it should be up to the job so long as I have two calipers. Having said that, & thinking as I write, the GSXR has 4 pistons so maybe my braking force will be halved?
Anyway, couldn't get the lever bolt out so resorted to the trusty junior hacksaw.
Calipers were heavily seized in so I used a spare GSXR m/cylinder to push them out. Amazingly, for the last twenty years I've been using compressed air at the garage to do this. Clearly this is a little dangerous as once freed the pistons pop out with quite a force. It's also been quite tricky to get the air into the cylinder. Anyway, having read a few threads on these forums & the US one I realised that using brake fluid to push it out was the way forward....I've never thought of doing this before, probably because I assumed it would be a messy job but it's not, it's soooo easy and I can do it in the comfort of my warm cellar rather than a cold, draughty garage forecourt!
They will need new pistons and a rebuild kit and a paint so just psyching myself up for that!
Anyway, caliper bodies are stripped and ready for painting, as is the m/cylinder / reservoir. No piccies so you'll have to take my word for it! Will be doing the m/cyl in in gloss black for now, but it may look awful - only time will tell. Tying to find a graphite colour for the calipers so they contrast a bit - but still looking for that.
Only other thing is brake lines. In the spirit of the "parts-bin" build I should use the hoses that came in my box of bits, however since these appear to be the originals I'm not that comfortable with how good they will be. SO have decided to buy a nice shiny set of Goodridge or HEL braided hoses once she's up and running.
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