RZ350 Brake Upgrade

[Valiant-Charger]

RZ350 Owner. Can you people shed some light. I want to upgrade my front brakes to something modern.. I already have braided lines and the bike stops reasonably well... But when I get on a new bike and then back onto mine the brakes leave me disapointed. Looking to get some feel in the lever and some 2finger stopy action ? It would be nice just to change caliper and master cylinder.

[druu]

Look for a radial master cylinder/lever assembly off a modern 600cc sports bike. Do this before trying to change the calipers.

[chee]

one of the rz guys here (i think its g0zer) is running rgv calipers? but i think thats with rgv forks.

maybe look at rebuilding the calipers + braided lines.

[sathid]

i believe some of the fzr calipers will go on.

With a caliper adapter plate, the is lots that will fit. But there is no point doing the brakes without doing the forks...So a front end swap is the way to go

[Nath]

What year RZ ?


If its 85 onwards, get a MC rebuild kit from Sudco or upgrade to a later model replacement, the stock one will always feel a little woody due to its design.

FZR250 calipers will bolt straight on but as Sathid said you can get an adapter plate made for many different types, the early R1 calipers (blue spot) are popular.

[Valiant-Charger]

Thanks guys for the advise. I think i'll go with the bolt on FZR option. I'd love an RGV front end, but i'd also love to eat this week The rz is the track hack (a few in the garage for parts), looking not to flash too many dollars on her (just stop like the guy next to me on his gsxr600 ).

Should I purchase the FZR master cylinder too ?
Maybe my mates at Eastern Motorcycle wreckers will sell me a complete front end off and fzr cheap cheap ? ? ? ? ?

[chee]

get a radial mc?

[g0zer]

brembo master cylinder ~$350 USD landed, Hel braided lines ~$250 AUD landed.

unless you want to fit $1000 worth of braking components to your 50hp bike, i suggest reconditioning with what you have and just replacing the lines ie: 20y/o rubber lines are about 15 years overdue for replacement and the master cylinder internals are probably trashed from having the levers smashed into the ground from a dozen or more drops. lines are ~$250 and the MC internals should be <$50. a new set of OEM pads ~$50, clean up the calipers and polish the pistons, new brake fluid and you are good to go for ~$350.

there is no point fitting some 20 y/o fzr master cylinder and calipers unless you are going to rebuild them.

i dont like the idea of fitting components from other bikes for no good reason.. next person who tries to buy brake pads for that bike is going to scratching their head.

[Nath]

I'm sure when you sell it and tell them you upgraded the brakes to FZR250 they will work it out

[g0zer]

hmm hel's website has rgv brake line kits... i might buy some for my bike

RGV250 K - L 1989 1990 F 2 1 buy RGV250 M - N 1991 1992 S 3 1 buy RGV250 M - N 1991 1992 F 2 1 buy RGV250 P - R 1993 1994 S 3 1 buy RGV250 P - R 1993 1994 F 2 1 buy

which one is mine?

https://helperformance.com/shop/oz/lines/3f-1r.htm

[Nath]

I've seen you make some intelligent arguments... this is not one of them

[g0zer]

i'm not trying to be clever.. i was looking at brake line pricing for the OP's bike and realised i needed a set myself :p

i figure there should be two kits- one for old style forks, and another kit for the USD cartridge forks...

but HEL have listed 6 different kits.. why are there so many different RGV brake line kits?

[rgvlee]

not 6 different kits, just links to generic ordering page

you specify model on the checkout.

[g0zer]

thanks lee.. these rgv bits are so confusing

more trouble than they are worth!

[chee]

goodridge?

[lukusis]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HEL-3-LINE-BR...3A1|240%3A1318

These guys were happy to make a kit for the RGV (ADR compliant) for 199 + 7postage...

[Valiant-Charger]

Thanks for your concern and opinions ladies. I have already got braided lines and sinted pads.
I have just got some 4 spot calipers off an 1100 vmax (know history and $100 for both) with same bolt holes and disc offset. I'll put them on and see if the rz master cylinder will be big enough to use with this system.
BAH radial m/c, did I mention wanting to eat, not wanting to spend heaps of cash .
Yeah I hate cross breeds with different parts, hell I am likely to forget what I put on it if it is not original.
While you guys are in the mood to post cheap site to buy goodies from, i'll need a set of fork springs for the front end (progressive/ sports/ etc)

[Valiant-Charger]

Vmax calipers do not bolt straight on

The same mate who gave me the calipers is going to make a plate up (he's an engineer, with access to special aloy for the plate).

I'll post a finished pic in a week

[ritza]

go rgv vj22 whole front end...usd forks 300mm 4pot calipers, 17'' rim so a great choice of rubber, 2 hour swap time, loads on ebay...mad if you dont
or fzr 750 stuff fits straight on so i believe

[BrianR]

Mate. the easiest way: email nige kimber at NK racing in the uk.
order a pair of adaptor brackets to mate your caliper of choice to your yam forks.......be sure to tell him the right fork/caliper combination....he does brackets for a variety of different combinations......I used yam blue spot calipers off a R1 onto yam variable damper forks....buy some calipers from somewhere.....bolt em on.......awesome brakes for f all money...I think my CNC machined billet ali brackets were 80 quid for the pair......a veritable bargain!