Making Sure I buy the correct R1/R6 Right Front Caliper

[BlueSky]

I decided to upgrade the right front caliper on my 89 Venture. I just want to make sure I buy the correct caliper. As I've read on this forum, compatible calipers can be found from a 2003 or earlier YZF-R1 or 2004 or earlier YZF-R6. I just wanted to verify this with the gurus on the forum before I purchase.

 

Thanks Much!

 

And, shouldn't I rebuild the caliper before installing it?

 

And, do I need that special tool to remove the caliper pistons?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PMC-USA-YAMAHA-R6-R1-FZ1-R6S-FZ6-FZ8-BRAKE-CALIPER-REBUILD-PISTON-REMOVAL-TOOL-/322014106659?hash=item4af9895423:g:iygAAOSwFNZWyKTJ&vxp=mtr

 

I also noticed that the 1998 thru 2001 calipers are advertised to fit that range of years and the 2002 and 2003 are advertised to only fit those two years. Does anyone know the difference between them and if all will fit the 89 venture?

Edited May 21, 2016 by BlueSky

[bongobobny]

Interesting tool! I didn't use any tools at all to disassemble my calipers before installing, just used the worn out pads that came with the calipers first, then used air pressure to extend the pistons, took one pad out, extended them more until they popped out. What will happen is once one pops the rest will not but they are out enough to "convince" them to come out! Rebuild kits are fairly inexpensive

 

The best ones to get are the R1 GOLD dot ones, they have the anodized aluminum pistons that will not rust or corrode and become sticky. The blue dots have steel pistons which can rust and bind.

 

Not 100% sure but I think you have the years correct, I'm sure someone else will chime in...

 

You might want to contact Skydoc_17, he might have the caliper in stock, and he supplies the rebuild kits as well.

[BlueSky]

I contacted Skydoc and he promptly responded and has anything you might want for the brakes. My right front caliper barely works so I plan to rebuild it first to see how effective it is when working properly. Then if it isn't satisfactory I'll install an R1 or R6. All of the R1 calipers on ebay that have pads in them show that one pad wears faster than the other which is not what I would expect with a stationary 4 piston caliper. One side must be seeing more hydraulic pressure than the other.

[bongobobny]

Hoo BOY!! Wait until you find out how much the rebuild kits cost for the MK2 as opposed to the kits for the R1/R6...

[BlueSky]

From Yamaha, the seals are more expensive for the R1/R6. On ebay, the K&L kits are both expensive, $40 to $50 for two calipers.

[BlueSky]

Well, I looked on ebay last night and decided to buy that right front R1 caliper that was listed at $26.99 with free shipping. Now, I need to buy a rebuild kit, pads, and maybe that tool.

 

I don't want to de-link so I don't plan to change the left front due to the proportioning valve and possibly changing the brake balance front to rear when the pedal is depressed. The reason I don't want to de-link is that the only motorcycle crash I've had is when I locked up the rear brake and the rear came around. Broke my ankle!

[bongobobny]

Uhhh, for the stock MK2 calipers, you need 2 kits per caliper and the rubber o ring between the halves, so double the cost...

[Condor]

Depending on what kind of shape the calipers are in would dictate on whether to rebuild or not. If they're really clean I wouldn't bother. If the pads are in very good shape I'd leave those alone too. Then it's a plug'n'play'n'bleed job. Here a pic of the style you should b searching for. I get a head ache trying to figure out the years, but R1's and R6's are the same. I might also add that if these are going on an '89 it might be a little redundant as you already have 4 piston calipers and propably won't feel much difference. However.... the blue dots do look kinda cool... :-)

 

[BlueSky]

Uhhh, for the stock MK2 calipers, you need 2 kits per caliper and the rubber o ring between the halves, so double the cost...

 

Looks to me like you get 4 seals and dust covers if you buy K&L

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/89-YAMAHA-VENTURE-ROYALE-1200-NEW-K-L-FRONT-BRAKE-CALIPER-REBUILD-KIT-32-7599-/371112471802?fits=Year%3A1989%7CMake%3AYamaha%7CModel%3AVenture+Royale&hash=item566806ecfa:g:KbIAAOSwVFlT2Upo&vxp=mtr

[BlueSky]

Depending on what kind of shape the calipers are in would dictate on whether to rebuild or not. If they're really clean I wouldn't bother. If the pads are in very good shape I'd leave those alone too. Then it's a plug'n'play'n'bleed job. Here a pic of the style you should b searching for. I get a head ache trying to figure out the years, but R1's and R6's are the same. I might also add that if these are going on an '89 it might be a little redundant as you already have 4 piston calipers and propably won't feel much difference. However.... the blue dots do look kinda cool... :-)

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]105471[/ATTACH]

 

Now ya tell me! My bike has that useless bling cover over the front brakes so I never looked. I just took the bling caliper cover off and you are correct! Stock with 4 pistons! I'll compare the size of the pads/pistons and decide if I bought an R1 caliper that I don't need. If I do install it, I will rebuild it first. It's old and I don't want any trouble out of it. My stock caliper looks brand new. The bike only has 6k miles on it and I think some of the pistons are stuck because the front brake barely works at all. If I install the R1, the bling cover may not fit? I'll see.

[BlueSky]

Well, I just took another look at the stock RF caliper on my 89. It has 4 bolts holding it on. So, it appears that an R1 won't fit. Even Skydoc said it would fit!

[Condor]

:confused07:

 

1stGen OEM's and R1/6's are held on by two bolts....

Edited May 23, 2016 by Condor

[Prairiehammer]

Well, I just took another look at the stock RF caliper on my 89. It has 4 bolts holding it on. So, it appears that an R1 won't fit. Even Skydoc said it would fit!

 

Four bolts? Not if it is stock. Only two chromed washer based mounting bolts. Don't be confusing the four hex socket (Allen head) bolts that join the two halves of the caliper as caliper mounting bolts.

The caliper mounting bolt holes are in green. The four Allen bolts are in red.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Prairiehammer

[BlueSky]

Yep, I was confused. I was looking at the 4 allen head bolts. Turns out my RF caliper doesn't have the two bolts that hold it in place. They FELL OUT somewhere. The caliper bling was holding the caliper somewhat in place!!!! That might help explain why the RF brake wasn't working well!!

[Prairiehammer]

Yep, I was confused. I was looking at the 4 allen head bolts. Turns out my RF caliper doesn't have the two bolts that hold it in place. They FELL OUT somewhere. The caliper bling was holding the caliper somewhat in place!!!! That might help explain why the RF brake wasn't working well!!

 

[Prairiehammer]

I might also add that if these are going on an '89 it might be a little redundant as you already have 4 piston calipers and propably won't feel much difference.

 

The advantage of the R1/R6 calipers over the stock is because the R1/R6 caliper is of a "monoblock" construction, whereas the stock XVZ13 caliper consists of two castings bolted together. Much better "feel" and more braking power is delivered by the R1/R6 caliper. No braking power is lost due to spreading of the caliper halves. Furthermore, note that the R1/R6 caliper pistons are different sizes on each caliper. This allows for greater progressive application and a more linear feel.

[BlueSky]

OMG, So, I took the bling off the left front caliper and it is missing the 2 bolts that hold it on too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like partzilla will get an order in a couple minutes.

 

It also looks like the left side fork seal is leaking!!! The caliper is covered in oil. Looks like I need to tear this bike apart and build it from the ground up. The clutch slave is leaking. The carbs are in need. I need to install the 4 brush starter. On and On.

Edited May 23, 2016 by BlueSky

[Prairiehammer]

OMG, So, I took the bling off the left front caliper and it is missing the 2 bolts that hold it on too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like partzilla will get an order in a couple minutes.

 

Ummm. The two bolts that hold the "bling" caliper cover ARE the caliper mounting bolts.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Prairiehammer

[Karaboo]

The bling covers are mounted using the caliper mounting bolts. Two bolts mount the calipers and the covers. The covers are not thick enough to weaken the mounting (the bolts still have plenty of engagement). So, you can't remove the covers without removing the caliper bolts.

 

Kevin beat me to it!

Edited May 23, 2016 by Karaboo
too slow

[BlueSky]

Thanks guys! I'm confused. In my defense, my son from NYC is in my garage and we are installing a suspension kit in his new Mustang and I'm not paying much attention to what I was doing on the bike!!

[Condor]

The advantage of the R1/R6 calipers over the stock is because the R1/R6 caliper is of a "monoblock" construction, whereas the stock XVZ13 caliper consists of two castings bolted together. Much better "feel" and more braking power is delivered by the R1/R6 caliper. No braking power is lost due to spreading of the caliper halves. Furthermore, note that the R1/R6 caliper pistons are different sizes on each caliper. This allows for greater progressive application and a more linear feel.

 

I agree that there will be a gain Kev , but.... the improvement over OEM's will not be as significant as when the R1/6 is applied to the MKI's. I always thought the OEM calipers on the MKII's were decent, and not in need of much help, if any. I know the debate on braking improvement can go on and on... much like the best oil... but I just don't see the need to spend the bucks.

[WildBill1]

Sure can see how working on a Mustang and a Yamaha at the same time can be confusing.

[BlueSky]

Yeah, I'm embarrassed! I really wasn't looking at what I was doing. But the oil on the calipers is bad news. No wonder it wouldn't stop! The rear tire was about all the brakes I had a couple days ago when I rode it about 20 miles. I replaced the fork seals twice on my Kawasaki ZN700 in the first couple years of ownership (bought in 2009). Looks like the Venture is a whole lot more work. And I may as well install some progressive springs while I'm at it. I need to go read all the instructions on the forum after we get through with my son's Mustang. It's a new 2015 GT with the performance package and he still had to swap out the springs, sway bars, shifter, and a ton of other stuff to destroy the ride and get rid of wheel hop. Makes me sad to think about it. But, it's his car. Ain't mine. We did the same thing to his 2004 Mustang GT almost a decade ago. It's a good thing the wife is on a 2 week trip back to her homeland. Maybe we'll have it together by the time she gets back. It took us 3 very long days to do the first one. Long days aren't in my vocabulary any more!

[WildBill1]

Hang in there you'll get it done.

[BlueSky]

The R1 caliper I bought off ebay came today. I briefly compared it to the stock caliper. The pads are not any larger. Maybe there is an advantage to swapping but it's not obvious by looking at the two. We are still working on the Mustang. Might finish tomorrow. I was incorrect about the year of it. It's a 2016 GT with the performance package and it only has 3k miles on it. We are changing lots of suspension parts to lower it, maker it corner flatter, and eliminate wheel hop. I thought it was perfect before we started. My son recently finished recording Beyonce's latest album, her HBO special, and I suppose he has the money to waste.