Thierry Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 "Newbie" refers to this being my first day on this forum, not my age (if only!). A mere 44 years after parting with my beloved '77 GS 550 E, I am about to ride a GS again, this time a '79 GS 1000 E (I know, some guys are deprived of any imagination). More concerned with my safety and that of others than with authenticity, I would like to improve the stopping power of my ride. Anybody here have upgraded successfully the brakes on their GS 1000? What works well, and what should be avoided? Tragicallly, the worst mistakes are unlikely to be reported first-hand, but I will take second-hand advice from those who were witnesses to those lethal errors. Thank you for your kind and enlightened advice. Quote Link to comment
Gsxrsam Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 Welcome.. Most in here are thrifty with cash, so would just put a full bandit front end in, for less money than period correct aftermarket calipers...... Quote Link to comment
Swiss Toni Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 (edited) As Sam says! Quick and easy. Swap stems, and away you go! You can also improve the Bandit forks easily too. And welcome to OSS. Our motto? ‘We like pictures!’ Edited June 5, 2023 by Swiss Toni 1 Quote Link to comment
wraith Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 Welcome to OSS Think someone in the projects pages used fzr1000 discs and calipers with caliper adapter plates (home made) You can get Lockheed calipers to fit straight onto the GS but they a very hard to find these days. Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 5, 2023 Author Share Posted June 5, 2023 Thank you for the advice. There are not any modern or recent calipers that are easily available and would be a plug and play fit onto the GS 1000 fork? Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 5, 2023 Author Share Posted June 5, 2023 And if not, what model are these Lockheed calibers? Quote Link to comment
Swiss Toni Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 AP Classic. Getting pricy now. Quote Link to comment
wraith Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 3 hours ago, Thierry said: And if not, what model are these Lockheed calibers? Aftermarket race part, don't think they make them anymore and finding second hand ones is hard to say the least. Don't know of any plug and play that goes straight on to the GS forks, one of the problems is the GS discs are thicker than more modern discs. Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 5, 2023 Author Share Posted June 5, 2023 OK, thank you for the information and help! Quote Link to comment
slayer61 Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 There's a fella on this side who goes to your side from time-to-time, I guess. He does some brake upgrades and might be worth talking to, if you've a mind. He's called "salty_monk" on the GSR site. https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/forum/technical-forums/performance-tuning-mods/33111-twinpot-brake-upgrade-on-78-skunk Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 6, 2023 Author Share Posted June 6, 2023 Thank you for the tip and for the link, Paul. I will try getting in touch with Salty Monk Quote Link to comment
Dezza Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Have you serviced your OEM calipers and master cylinder, and then fitted decent modern brake pads and stainless braided hoses? This can make a big difference and is a good starting point. 2 Quote Link to comment
Safra Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Interesting upgrade I've seen was cbr900 rotors and sv650 dl650 dl1000 calipers it would require brackets,spacers and bushings Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 6, 2023 Author Share Posted June 6, 2023 6 hours ago, Dezza said: Have you serviced your OEM calipers and master cylinder, and then fitted decent modern brake pads and stainless braided hoses? This can make a big difference and is a good starting point. I actually sent the bike for a comprehensive service and requested stainless braided hoses, but the mechanic said that it was "not necessary"; these days, mechanics have become artists who do as they see fit, not according to the requests of the customers; but is is on my bucket list, just to be performed by another guy. Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 6, 2023 Author Share Posted June 6, 2023 4 hours ago, Safra said: Interesting upgrade I've seen was cbr900 rotors and sv650 dl650 dl1000 calipers it would require brackets,spacers and bushings Thank you Safra; I do not have access to people who would be able or willing to fabricate the brackets, so I am looking for complete kits. Quote Link to comment
Dennisgs1085 Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Fireblade discs and Kwak calipers can be made to fit. Quote Link to comment
Dennisgs1085 Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 I also fitted another set with SV650 calipers on my GS850. Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 Thank you for the photos Dennis; I assume that you fabricated these brackets? Neat work! Quote Link to comment
Dennisgs1085 Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 (edited) Yes brackets made by myself. Adapter with Kwak caliper carrier. Edited June 8, 2023 by Dennisgs1085 Quote Link to comment
jensvonbustenskjold Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Might be late to the party, but I found this site. I think it's a list of calipers you can use: https://rbitter.home.xs4all.nl/GS1000_front-brake-upgrade.html Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 Definitely not too late, Jens; this is very good, it gives a lot of options. Many thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment
Dennisgs1085 Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 That's the salty monk conversion. Same calipers I have on my gs1000, but with bracket on inside of fork. 1 Quote Link to comment
Thierry Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 I replaced as planned the rubber lines on the front brakes with stainless steel braided items, and braking became instantly, perfectly acceptable (at least, for my type of riding). I had planned to do it all along, but was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of urgency when I squeezed the front brake handle while standing next to the bike, and saw the diameter of said rubber lines expand by several mm: they were actually the original, 45 years old items! So Dezza (and I) were right, and once I apply the same treatment to the rear brake, stopping the old filly will be a piece of cake. Thanks to Dezza and everyone else for their good advice; the lists of adaptable calipers and disks will come in handy whenever I decide to give my bike the resto-mod treatment (which I have done to both of my other vehicles from the '70s). In response to Swiss Toni's request, here is a picture of the GS 1000, after it was spruced up (but not a nut and bolt restoration). 2 Quote Link to comment
bitzz Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 On 6/5/2023 at 3:04 PM, Swiss Toni said: AP Classic AP CP2195 They're making them again. Not quite the same, they now are ambidextrous. A more modern 4 pot is a FAR better choice... even a 2 pot Yamaha caliper off a RD is a better choice Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.