Brakes - Brake Fluid and caliper pistons

[taint]

Well my new Hel brake lines have arrived and I'm starting to gather together everything I need to overhaul the calipers.

I know that the Yamaha manual recommends DOT4 brake fluid, but I was wondering if there would be any benefit or even if it was possible to upgrade to DOT5 or 5.1. I ask primarily because the manual and bike pre-date the introduction of the DOT5 standard.

I'm also planning on getting a set of replacement seals; but I wondered if it was worth switching my caliper pistons to stainless steel. The bike is 12 years old and looks like it's been ridden through the worst of Aberdeen's weather, I'm not certain what condition the pistons are likely to be in. Is it worth just getting a stainless piston and seal kit?

Thanks in advance for the responses

T.

[m40man]

taint said:

.. I was wondering if there would be any benefit or even if it was possible to upgrade to DOT5 or 5.1. I ask primarily because the manual and bike pre-date the introduction of the DOT5 standard.

I'd stick to Dot4. This is particularly important if you were considering silicon-based Dot5, as they don't mix & it isn't such a good lubricant. Though you can get non-silicon based Dot5.1 fluids if you really want to pay the extra - if you go with it, check the label.

[taint]

I've also heard tell of Super DOT4; which is supposed to have similar properties to DOT5.1, anyone have any experience of this product?

T.

[taint]

I've gone for some Silkolene DOT4; it doesn't look like there's much benefit to going for anything higher; just a reduction in atmospheric water absorption and a higher boiling point. As it's unlikely I'm going to take my D600 racing I doubt this will be an issue

I would still like some opinions on the Stainless pistons; if anyone has any that is.

Thanks again

T.

[max900]

Greetings

i changed my front brake seals and pistons with Wemoto

Yamaha XJ 900 S Diversion 97-03

Stainless Steel Piston and Seals Front Caliper

Genuine Yamaha parts.
Per caliper.
Comprises;
Large Piston 33mm x 32mm + Seals,
Small Piston 30mm x 32mm + Seals,
Red caliper grease.
wemoto website is now selling them at £38.90 a side which i think is a rip off as i only paid them £60 delivered a little over a year ago for both fronts form Wemoto

Max.....

[taint]

Not too bad, it was Wemoto I'd been looking at.

To a degree I'm lucky to only have one front caliper; so it keeps costs down. I wonder if they'd do me a deal if I buy both front and back at the same time?

Think it's worthwhile doing?

Thanks

T.

[Deleted]

I'd definitely go for stainless on our salty winter roads. Don't know D6 brakes but braided hoses and sintered pads improved the D9 brakes a lot. After washing the salt off the bike during the winter I always gave it a short run and held the brakes on gently to warm them up and dry them out. Helped to avoid the damp pads sticking to the discs and marking the higher carbon content ones I'd fitted.

[HRHpenfold]

its ok to use Dot 5.1, its recomended for bikes with ABS as its thinner than DOT4, don't use DOT5 as its silicon based and needs all of the mineral based brake fluid removed or it will turn nasty, seals only change pistons and seals if you need to, if not leaking and they are not sticking after you have cleaned them, then they will be ok, neglect kills pistons not salt, clean them first, use red rubber grease around them.

[eliminator]

Way too late for the thread opener, but here's a link.
diversionclub.proboards74.com/index.cgi?board=900&action=display&thread=1170353123

Just be aware that there are several links here. You end up going around in a complete circle ;D