Remote mounting brake master cylinder

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Shorts · #1 Unread post by **Shorts** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:14 pm

I'm doing to adjusting of the controls on my bike and space on the handlebars is a real commodity.

I have hydraulic brakes. I would like to mount a remote reservoir for the front brake on the left side bar and mount the brake lever on the right handle bar. My concern is running the length of hose between the lever and reservoir. Will that reduce the effectiveness of my brake at all? Is standard brake hose sufficient or should I upgrade to a steel braided line?

I would like to stick with regular hose for ease of installation since this is a custom jobber. Being out here, it is easier and faster to cut the length of rubber hose than get a steel braided hose made up. Those are my only thoughts as far as materials are concerned.

I'm in a bit of a time crunch to get the controls done. I need to get on and riding ASAP as I have MSF Aug 12-13, I need to get familiar with this setup. So my bike needs to be ready for me to ride (our MSF requires you provide your own bike).

Any ideas would certainly be appreciated.

sharpmagna · Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:44 pm

Isn't the piston that creates the hydraulic pressure part of the master cylinder itself? How are you thinking of moving that piston in and out? Normally the brake lever physically makes contact on the piston doesn't it?

Shorts · #3 Unread post by **Shorts** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:27 pm

On the standard models yes, the piston is incorporated with the reservoir (the big rectangular reservoir on top). But on some assemblies I've found in a bike catalog here, the piston is incorporated with the lever assembly, then there is an outlet nipple that clamps to a short hose and that leads into a little round reservoir that is mounted by bracket to the mirror mount.

Check out pg. 411 for pics

http://www.daytona.co.jp/motorcycle/pro ... 03-418.pdf

I just don't have room to mount my clutch on that right side. That reservoir takes up a lot of space. If I try to tilt the brake assembly, that reservoir gets turned at bad angles. What's also killing the ability to rotate is the brake hose connection at the lever, theres a metal tab that keeps the banjo from getting knocked around.

Anyhow, I'm thinking of just changing the whole front brake setup to give me room. All I'm trying to do is mount my clutch on the right side... heh

BuzZz · #4 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:29 pm

If your reservior is not cast into your master cylinder/lever perch, then you can mount the reservior anyplace that's higher than the master cylinder. It operates under no pressure, it just providers a supply of fluid for the M/C piston to force into the brakelines. The hose from the reservior to the M/C has to be large enough to let that fluid flow, but it doesn't need to be any bigger than the outlet spigot on the reservior.

Shorts · #5 Unread post by **Shorts** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:34 pm

Good to know, reservoir higher than master cylinder

sharpmagna · Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:37 am

Thanks for the clarification shorts. The little I know is from cruisers and that seems that configuration is implemented on sportbikes. I notice they use more plastics too I'm assuming to keep the weight down.

Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:58 am

Would that ever be a problem in say twisties when one handlebar is much lower than another since gravity is the supplier of the fluid... or am I reading this wrong?

Shorts · #8 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:09 pm

That's a good question. I thought about that as well. Though I think a properly filled reservoir would help. Especially since the fluid pressure in the reservoir would keep the fluid in the caliper and lines.

And, hopefully I won't be applying brakes during the turn when the bike is leaning

sharpa, they've got some really cool stuff in that daytona catalog. When I found that I went crosseyed both with excitement and lack of reading skills

BuzZz · #9 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:12 pm

No, angles that the bike will see while moving will not affect this. You actually can mount the res. lower, but it creates problems you don't want or need to deal with. Save yourself the hassle..... and possible brake failure at the worst possible time, keep the res higher than the M/C.

And what are you doing hammering the binders while cranked over at full lean, anyway???