1981 Suzuki GS1000 GL brake revival

[pbarber]

My next project on this bike is getting the brakes working. I think I have the brake lines figured out but unsticking the calipers is a head scratcher. These things are stubborn. I don't have an air compressor, but I'm thinking I may need one. I've seen videos of guys using a large allen key in combination with some ratchet fittings and I can move them using that method, but just barely. Does anyone have an easier way?

Thanks in advance!!

[Toecutter]

Have you a grease gun? You can pump the pistons out safely this way. Bit messy but you'll be cleaning them out anyway before re-freshing. As they are single piston on the front they'll pop out nicely without any faff.

[pbarber]

17 hours ago, Toecutter said:

Have you a grease gun? You can pump the pistons out safely this way. Bit messy but you'll be cleaning them out anyway before re-freshing. As they are single piston on the front they'll pop out nicely without any faff.

I don't have a grease gun, but it sounds like I may need to get one. I will definitely look into it. Thank you. 

Update on the brake lines. Out of 4 (3 front, 1 back), only 2 are clear, the 2 front bottom ones. The other 2 are totally clogged. So, I'm looking into getting some replacements. Once installed, would it make sense to try and bleed the lines and try to "pump out" the calipers this way? Or do I risk damage?

[TLRS]

Never tried the grease gun method, but if you get a new empty one maybe you can use something else then grease, something easier to clean?

[Builtwithpurehate]

How does the grease gun thread in ?

[Swiss Toni]

17 minutes ago, Builtwithpurehate said:

How does the grease gun thread in ?

Carefully!!!

Take the end nozzle off, thread the gun into the caliper carefully.  It's a different thread, but it'll go in far enough for what you want to do.

[Toecutter]

You can use the bleed nipple to pump the grease in when backed off. Plug the banjo hole with a blanking plug the same size thread or make an adapter that fits to take the grease gun squirty end screw in.

[Builtwithpurehate]

2 hours ago, Toecutter said:

You can use the bleed nipple to pump the grease in when backed off. Plug the banjo hole with a blanking plug the same size thread or make an adapter that fits to take the grease gun squirty end screw in.

This just worked perfectly

On 11/15/2024 at 6:56 AM, pbarber said:

I don't have a grease gun, but it sounds like I may need to get one. I will definitely look into it. Thank you. 

Update on the brake lines. Out of 4 (3 front, 1 back), only 2 are clear, the 2 front bottom ones. The other 2 are totally clogged. So, I'm looking into getting some replacements. Once installed, would it make sense to try and bleed the lines and try to "pump out" the calipers this way? Or do I risk damage?

I can confirm a basic grease gun works and just pushed out a piston I've been working on for 2 days....

[Toecutter]

Niceone. I find they are the best way to remove super stubborn pistons. With potentially 8000psi pumped in, there's no way to hide...