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GSXR Front Calipers on a DL

18K views 49 replies 21 participants last post by  p38arover 
#1 · (Edited)
I found a ratty set of calipers for cheap on eBay. I ordered a seal and piston rebuild kit from Ron Ayers. I got the brackets, Galfer HH pads, and Galfer braided hoses from SV Racing (here on the board).

Once I got the calipers, I set about tearing them down and cleaning them. I used compressed air to drive the old pistons out of the bores. A T-40 torx head is needed to take out the caliper bolts that divide the calipers into halves. I headed to my local Fastenal store to get new stainless cap head bolts for replacements. All 8 capscrews needed for the calipers totaled about $5 which is the price Suzuki wants for one of their fancy torx head screws that will rust. I also replaced the screws that hold the brake pad shield over the top of the caliper.

I drilled the caliper mounting bolts for safety wire so there would never be any threadlocker to chase out of the threads in the future.

When cleaning the calipers for rebuild, it is wise to take a dental pick and make sure the upper side of both seal grooves in each bore is clean, pay particular attention to the upper seal. Lots of junk hides just out of sight and needs to be cleaned out before reassembly. I also use a cheap Harbor Freight stainless steel brush to scrub off any residue or junk from the calipers. I probably went through 6 cans of cheap spray brake cleaner as well. Per my father's teaching, I wash all parts in denatured alcohol to remove any chance for oil from my skin fouling things up (who knows if this is really necessary, but it sure smells good!). Once washed, I dunked the seals in fresh DOT4 brake fluid. I smeared a layer of fresh fluid on the inside of the bore and then put in the seals. Next, dip the new pistons in fluid and carefully press them into the bores.

Then I sprayed everything with brake cleaner and set about masking up the machined surfaces that cannot be painted. It takes about 20 minutes per caliper half at my speed working with painters tape and a fine razor knife. I threaded old bolts into holes, made tape "funnels" to fit into others, and then hung the calipers for painting. I used Duplicolor red brake caliper spray paint (about $7 a can at most auto parts stores). Don't believe the coverage listed on the can's label, it took me nearly two cans, giving each part three coatings.

To reveal the "Tokico" text wasn't too tricky as I have access to one of those Chinese mill/lathe combo machines. I mounted a 2" diameter surface sander to the mill and blocked up the caliper half on the cross-slide. I was able to sand off the paint without hitting any other part of the caliper. You could do this on a drill press. I doubt I could have done this by hand (I tried mocking up a piece of sandpaper on a flat bench, but I couldn't hold the caliper steady enough to push it across the paper without rocking over and scratching the sides).

Once the paint had set, I reassembled the calipers, remembering the new o-ring that goes between the halves prior to tightening the screws to 24 n-m.

I removed the old calipers and hoses, making sure to drain the system before disconnecting the lines so fluid wouldn't get on the paint. One of those hand squeezed vacuum pumps works great for this. I put the new brackets onto the forks and used medium strength thread-locker and tightened those bolts to ~26 n-m (whatever the factory manual recommended). Then I mounted the calipers and safety wired the bolts for ease of future removal for tire changes.

The hardest part was getting the dual Galfer banjo fittings to seal at the master cylinder! Galfer recommends 17-25 ft-lbs, and even at 25 ft-lbs torque, my system leaked. I had to hand tighten the system to probably twice that amount to get everything to seal. I had no problems with the banjo fittings sealing at the calipers. It took a while to get all the air pumped and sucked out of the new calipers, but after a bit I was able to get a very firm brake lever.

I took the bike out for a spin to bed in the pads. I forgot how HH pads sound on ventilated rotors, but that familiar "WHIRR" sound lets you know you have some serious brakes. By the third firm stop I was doing stoppies and compressing the front fork to within 1" of the lower triple clamp.

This job took me two weekends of cleaning, painting, and assembling (after I ordered and received all the parts). I don't work too fast, so others may do this more quickly. I also replaced the rear pads with HH compound, but I haven't done the rear brake line conversion to braided yet. My DL1000 now stops like my 600 track bike.

I'd rate this job as a full 4 beers out of a six-pack and not for the true beginner. If you have been turning the wrenches on your bike for a while, you should be able to tackle it.

Here's a picture of the final installation:



Steve
 
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#3 ·
Oh oh.

Don't know for sure, but I suspect the stainless bolts holding the calipers together have a lower tensile strength than the steel bolts. Might check with your source (if they can tell you). Clearly, these bolts are under a bunch of stress, and stretching them would be a bad thing. If nothing else, keep a close eye on them.
 
#4 ·
Take a picture of more of the bike and the painted calipers. Looks good up close. I'm itching to to this after riding a couple demo with nice front brakes.
 
#5 ·
SV Racing Parts, Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets

:) Great job on the calipers, Looks hot with the Black SV Racing Parts, Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets on your bike,

As long as you have the 10mm bolts through the forks, good and snug with the Red Loctite, and have the 8mm bolts holding the Calipers good and snug with blue loctite you are good to go,

I have guys using these in extremely high stress racing applications with absolutely zero issues,

I see you went ahead and used the safety wire. That will prevent the bolts from backing out and loosening up as well,

Let me know how the finish holds up, Lots of Stromtroopers would love to be able to refinish a set of calipers that well,

For anyone else looking to do the upgrade, I just made up a batch of 49 sets of Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets and Back Plates,

Email if you are interested, b.layton@svracingparts.com

Enjoy the ride, and best regards,
Blair
 
#18 ·
Another superb experience with SV Racing Parts!

I wanted to publicly thank Blair for his excellent service! My Wee now proudly sports a set of GSX-R calipers with Galfer HH pads. :var_14:
No test ride as yet but tomorrow is another day...

As long as you have the 10mm bolts through the forks, good and snug with the Red Loctite, and have the 8mm bolts holding the Calipers good and snug with blue loctite you are good to go,
I torqued the 10mm adapter bolts to 40nm/28.5 ft/lbs, same as the OE calipers. Per the GSX-R manual, I torqued the 8mm bolts into the GSX-R calipers to 25nm/18 ft/lbs with blue Loctite. The pad retaining pins torque to 16nm/11.6 ft/lbs and if you rebuild the calipers, the caliper body halves torque to 21nm/15 ft/lbs.

On that note, Blair have you considered stocking the GSX-R caliper rebuild kits. My used calipers would have benefited from a rebuild but since I didn't have the kits, I had to settle for pumping and cleaning the pistons until they moved freely. :-|
 
#6 ·
I will keep an eye on the bolts. BTW, Pointe Products, Inc. offers chrome plated metric grade 12.9 socket head fasteners. I ordered a set for the calipers and will replace them once the new ones are here. $1.19 each bolt which is very reasonable and the shipping was $9. They take PayPal, so it was an easy order. The stainless bolts have a tensile strength of ~102,000 psi and the grade 12.9 is ~170,000 psi so I will be adding some safety factor when I upgrade.

Steve
 
#7 ·
Steve,
Do the caliper kits come as a full set to do one complete caliper? Part #59100-29830? I mounted and bread my calipers, now I'll put the originals back on and rebuild the GSXR calipers, both calipers dragging:(. I should know better. Oh well, what else was I going to do on a Thursday night.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Steve,
Do the caliper kits come as a full set to do one complete caliper? Part #59100-29830?.
You need two kits... not cheap, but it will be worth it.

I would apply air to the calipers before disassembly so you can try to drive all the pistons out at the same time. Well, at least that's my theory. I pulled the calipers apart into two halves and then applied air. One piston always pops out first leaving you to tug on the other one with a vice grip or pliers. That's why I bought the full kit (pistons and seals) cause I couldn't save the old pistons. Perhaps if the two halves are still together, the pistons will drive out and meet in the middle with both sides still barely seated. Then pulling them out the rest of the way might be easy?? Well, we can dream, can't we?

Also, check the upper side of the seal grooves with a dental pick to make sure the grooves are completely clean of all dirt and **** (a very scientific term). Also clean the o-ring indentation on both sides of the caliper halves (where the fluid goes from the outside half to the inside half) as solidified brake fluid and oxidation products need to be cleaned out from there as well. I wish I had taken more pictures, hopefully my description is good enough.

Buy plenty of cans of brake-clean. I hate to say it, but the chlorinated stuff appeared to work better (but isn't so good on the environment).

Steve
 
#9 ·
After riding my new to me '06 FJR I have figured out that the Wee's brakes just aren't doing it for me (already have HH pads and SS lines).

I just ordered a set of Blair's brackets and HH pads, now I'm searching Ebay for a set of calipers!!!!! Any leads on any good deals?? All I've seen so far are in $75 range, any better deals out there?

BTW, if you have a chance give Blair some buisness, prices are competitive, shipping reasonable and service is 110%.
 
#11 ·
I'm searching Ebay for a set of calipers!!!!! Any leads on any good deals?? All I've seen so far are in $75 range, any better deals out there?

I signed up at SV-portal.com and kept an eye out. They upgrade their Tokico four pots for something better just like we do the two pot. All the SV 1000 model years will work. I scored a fairly new set in a couple of weeks. Price is whatever you can negotiate.

Bill
 
#10 ·
Man. Dr. M, this looks awesome. Super nice job.
 
#14 ·
I wonder how the system works after the upgrade compared to the original?
I mean isn't the bore of the GSXR pistons different than the old ones? I suppose they are bigger.
If so, the movement must be also different at the brake lever (if the master cylinder hasn't been changed together with the calipers) 'cause that pumps the same amount of fluid to a larger volume.
Theoretically the larger the piston diameter (volume) of the caliper the easier to pull the lever, but the longer to pull to get the same braking action.
Does it work as described above? Doesn't the lever hit the hand grip?

Your feedback would be appreciated.

Oh, and congrats for the clean job, very cool!:var_14:
 
#15 ·
SV Racing Parts, Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets for 4 piston Calipers

:) Hi, the 4 piston calipers provide a very postitive upgrade in your braking capability on our Vstrom's.

There is no issue at all with the brake lever; once your brakes are properly bled and pumped up your brake feel will be improved,

This is a very easy to do upgrade, simple bolt on Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets, 4 piston Tokico calipers and you are set,

Enjoy the ride, and best regards,
Blair
 
#17 ·
SV Racing Parts, 4 piston GSXR Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets

:) Hi, the correct Calipers for you to use for the DL650 and the DL1000 are the 2001 - 2003 GSXR 600, the 2000 - 2003 GSXR 750, and any model year of the SV1000, they are all the Same Tokico 4 Piston Calipers,

BTW: I also carry the correct superb Galfer HH Sintered Brake Pads, $35 per Caliper Set to work with the 4 Piston Tokico Calipers,

The complete Brake Caliper Adapter Sets are $65.

Email me directly at b.layton@svracingparts.com whenever you are ready, and I will get you looked after right away,

Enjoy the ride, and best regards,
Blair
 
#19 ·
I just put my kit on today. I used SV1000 calipers, they had 8700 miles on them, they were in perfect condition with brand new looking pads.

Are the stock SV1000 brake pads HH's? I didn't put my new HH's in as these looked to be the same and were virtually new.

I just took a quick spin around the block but they seem pretty good. I'd like to get a firmer lever though, may try and bleed some more tomorrow.

Great service from Blair, highly recommended.
 
#20 ·
Are the stock SV1000 brake pads HH's? I didn't put my new HH's in as these looked to be the same and were virtually new.

I just took a quick spin around the block but they seem pretty good. I'd like to get a firmer lever though, may try and bleed some more tomorrow.

Great service from Blair, highly recommended.
The pads in my calipers were Toyo HH but they looked a bit ratty so I installed the new ones.

I made up a brake bleeder from a garden sprayer yesterday and got some more air out of the system but the lever was still spongy. After strapping it to the grip overnight it's a nice firm lever today. :mod2_yes:
 
#23 ·
Hi, That is an old thread,

they are a crude attempt to do what I have been doing for sometime,

They are not well finished, and the plate are not threaded so you have to drill you calipers, and bolt from both sides,

Let me know whenever you are ready, and I will look after with a set of quality bolt on adapter brackets,

Enjoy the ride, and best regards,
Blair
 
G
#22 ·
Six to one, half dozen to another...the only real difference I see is Blair's kit is a Sandwich adaptor system...not just a single plate. Tested many times...and definitely my next farkle.

I'd buy from Blair if for nothing else than to support a Vendor that supports this site...I'm just sayin...

BTD.
 
#24 ·
WOW!

On Sunday, I rode from the Willamette Valley in a wind-driven rain to a warm & dry Bend, OR. As the new pads bedded into the calipers, the brakes just kept getting better. I had to back off the reach adjustment twice to keep the lever in the "comfort" range for my rather small hands.
End result is spectacular! I now have greatly improved braking response at much lower lever pressure which is so-o-o easy to modulate. :mod2_clap:
 
#28 ·
Blair -
So, you can provide everything except the calipers?

BTW - Installed your fork brace earlier this year - super product!! Really seems to have negated a lot of the crosswind-sway issues the 'Strom's known for.
 
#30 ·
SV Racing Parts, GSXR/SV1000 4 Pot Tokico Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets




:) Hi, Yes, I have everything you need for the Brake Caliper upgrade, excluding the Tokico Calipers unless you want new in which case I will hook you up with me OEM supplier.



I have the Galfer SS Lines for our bikes, and the correct superb Galfer HH Sintered Front Brake Pads for the Tokico Calipers in stock and ready to ship,

Email me directly at b.layton@svracingparts.com and I will get you looked after right away,

Enjoy the ride, and best regards,
Blair
 
#33 ·
I will add that the paint is holding up well. Red does show the brake dust a bit, so I got a soft, long bristle brush to wash them. The painted calipers are easy to clean. I get lots of comments on having red calipers on a black bike. They stand out well.

The brakes work well; I attended the Team Oregon ART at Pat's Acres about three weeks ago as part of my development training with Idaho STAR. In the maximum braking drill I can do stoppies with these brakes. The HH pads at the rear may be a bit more than you need, I can lock the rear wheel with ease. Blair sent me the softer pads and I was insistent that I needed HH... hmmmmm. Glad I kept the softer rear pads as I think they're going in this week.

Steve
 
#34 ·
Usually it's not an easy job to work with stainless steel.
How was to make those tiny borings for the wire?
Doesn't make it the bolts weaker?

Blair suggests red Loctite for the bigger and blue for the smaller bolts.

The brake is not a toy to play with, I want to use the safest possible way to mount the calipers.

The service manual does not mention any thread locking material to use, just the tightening torque.
 
#35 ·
SV Racing Parts, Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets for 4 piston Calipers




:) Hi, Remember, this is an aftermarket application, regardless of what else you do, use red Loctite for the 10mm Bolts and backing plate, red loctite will not break down with the heat your rotors generate, and blue for the 8mm bolts going into the calipers to prevent them from backing out,

We commonly drill the socket heads on the bolts with a 1/16th carbide bit and safety wire to prevent bolts from backing out as well as the loctite,

Trust me on this when I say Loctite is your friend, be generous,

BTW: for all interested, I still have Brake Caliper Adapter Brackets left in stock so let me know whenever you are ready, at b.layton@svracingparts, and I will ship them to you,

You need to Email me directly for these sets I had especially made up for us and out bikes, The special backing plates are not available anywhere else,

Enjoy the ride, and best regards,
Blair
It will all be good,
 
#38 ·
I just came across a set of SV1000 calipers for $64 on ebay, so the very next thing I did was get in touch with Blair for the adapters, HH pads for the front, and pads for the rear (since they're due for replacing).

I wanted to get the Galfer brake lines, but I can't spring the extra $$ right now (improve the bike in baby steps...baby steps...not all at once!).

Blair called me right back, within 10 minutes of sending the email, to confirm what I was after. I see now what everybody who has dealt with him is raving about...this man REALLY CARES about his customers, and gives them the best products at the most reasonable cost possible. He's got a customer for life now!

I'd like to thank Dr M (the OP) and Blair for bringing attention to this mod. Great stuff!!!
 
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