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Good Morning!  I recently got my 1980 KZ1000 resto-mod on the road.  The front forks, brakes, and wheel are from a 1990 ZX750H1.  The master cylinder appears to be a generic cruiser-type.  The brakes work and stop the bike, but they just don't have the bite or or power that I feel like sport bike brakes should offer. 

I'd like to update the master cylinder with something more functional and also more fitting to the bike's appearance.  Any recommendations on a master cylinder that can push the ZX7 4-pistion calipers?  I'm open to MC's with either integrated or remote reservoirs.  

What size is the bore on the master cylinder you have on there now? You could get a new one that’s the next size down and it’ll give you more bite. The ZRX guys swap their stock 5/8” mc’s to 14mm mc’s from an EX500 for two-finger braking all the time. 

Jasongpz wrote:

Good Morning!  I recently got my 1980 KZ1000 resto-mod on the road.  The front forks, brakes, and wheel are from a 1990 ZX750H1.  The master cylinder appears to be a generic cruiser-type.  The brakes work and stop the bike, but they just don't have the bite or or power that I feel like sport bike brakes should offer. 

I'd like to update the master cylinder with something more functional and also more fitting to the bike's appearance.  Any recommendations on a master cylinder that can push the ZX7 4-pistion calipers?  I'm open to MC's with either integrated or remote reservoirs.  

Let's see some pictures Jason 

It's still in the rough, but here it is...

I like it, tough but not over done 

If your brakes are soft you might want to check your discs to see if they are worn out of spec.

I'm a fan of brakes that work, and based on your resto, you are too. I put Braking on my bike and my wife got a matched set on her GPz as she's a fan of the adjustable lever reach

A stock Z1B MC works fine on my ZX9R 6-pistion calipers set up.
Your MC/caliper piston setup need some teaching.

 

 
 
 

I still have my original ZX-7/ZXR750 H1 model. I bought it new back in 89, and it's in resto mode right now. Parts are hard to come by.

Anyway, brake master for that bike is 5/8. You sure you have the right diameter bore? If you do, you may need to rebuild the calipers you have. Remember, if you have brake from H1, that brake is from 89 and and may never received any refreshing. My ZX-7  have less than 4000 original miles, but due to it's age, caliper was near frozen. It since has been opened up and received a rebuild. Rebuild kit is not that expensive.

 

Stereordinary wrote:

What size is the bore on the master cylinder you have on there now? You could get a new one that’s the next size down and it’ll give you more bite. The ZRX guys swap their stock 5/8” mc’s to 14mm mc’s from an EX500 for two-finger braking all the time. 

—-> I did this on mine. It makes a big difference in the ease of pull for a given stopping power with no noticeable added lever movement. It’s the best bang for the buck to improve the braking on a ZRX.
 

Thanks for the advice. That 89 is an awesome bike. I still think those ram air tubes are super cool even though they didn't add much HP at normal-man speeds. 

This graphic is great and makes a lot of sense. Thanks!
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