RR7 - replacement calipers?

Discussion in 'Maintenance' started by TomLum, Aug 4, 2020.

  1. TomLum

    TomLum Active Member

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    So I bought a RR7 with 45,000 road miles on it. Ive been using it this year for a track bike. At the beginning of the summer I stripped the front callers as pistons were sticking and needed a rebuild.

    Bought all new genuine parts from Honda to rebuild, noticed that there was a fair bit of corrosion inside the calliper itself, where the seals sit etc. Cleaned it all best I could, put it all back together and has been fine but feels like they're starting to stick again.

    Are there aftermarket replacement callipers for these bikes or do I need to try and find a 'good' set of used?

    Advice please :)
     
  2. Frazzle

    Frazzle Active Member

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    Depends how deep your pockets are!! lots of options for aftermarket calipers which will make a difference... I've got Brembo GP4RX on my 11 plate and they are fantastic... Brembo do loads of options (M4's are good value), Accosatto also do a few and HEL have also come onto the scene, essentially you can put anything 108mm on them but you may require spacers\longer bolts if you've got bigger discs etc..
     
  3. TomLum

    TomLum Active Member

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    Thanks will take a look at some of these options. Had a quick search on the Brembos and they are about as much as I spent on the bike!!

    Not looking for high end. Stock replacements suit me fine :)
     
  4. Slick

    Slick Elite Member

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    maybe a complete refurb including a powder coating?
     
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  5. TomLum

    TomLum Active Member

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    Considered that but the inside where the piston and seals sit is heavily pitted from corrosion which isn't ideal. I may be wrong but not sure this is repairable.

    Figured im now better off replacing the callipers themselves.
     
  6. Frazzle

    Frazzle Active Member

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    you could probably pick up some low mileage ones off eBay for not too much I'd imagine? I guess the problem is that you can't see the actual condition..
     
  7. Jez

    Jez Senior Member

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    Mine from new have been binding, I service each year which keeps them not to bad, I get about 3 turns when you spin the wheel. It never goes out in the rain and first noticed a problem at 700 miles when the front wheel had a load of brake dust on it
     
  8. dern

    dern Well-Known Member

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    I think that that's pretty normal from my experience. There's no return mechanism on disc brake so they'll never spin freely on the bearing.
     
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  9. Lock

    Lock Active Member

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    I put a set of the 2008 standard Honda CBR1000RR monoblock calupers on my 2007 as when I bought the bike the original calipers were shocking. Thought about refurb and powder coat but seemed a ballache! The 2008 ones cost £80 delivered off ebay, in perfect condition and bolted straight on. They are a darker bronze colour. Work fine and look good - and a better caliper
     
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  10. RR7

    RR7 New Member

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    as dern confirmed they are supposed to drag slightly, 'three spins' is typical. Lever travel would be excessive if the pads retracted sufficient to prevent any rubbing. The actual retraction is performed by the square section caliper seals, as dern says there's no dedicated return mechanism.
    During application of the front brake the piston doesn't move in the seal but instead the seal deflects, sort of diamond shape, and on release of the pressure it springs back. The pistons only finally move gradually within the seals as the pads wear.
    I wrote a bit on a thread on here about making the master cylinder pushrod adjustable and allowing fine tuning of lever travel.
     
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  11. GappySmeg

    GappySmeg Well-Known Member

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    That is very interesting... I was always under the impression that RR8 onwards used a different spacing for the caliper mounts.
    Do you know if all years from RR8 onwards would fit an RR7? Is there no change of disc required?
     
  12. Lock

    Lock Active Member

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    The RR8 ones bolted straight on, no modifications, used existing bolts and mounting spacers. My understanding is the rr4 and rr5 had smaller discs so need modified spacers if fitting later discs.
    Fitted an RR8 rear caliper as well to keep the colour the same! (again just bolted straight on)
     
  13. Frazzle

    Frazzle Active Member

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    I think you'll find pretty much anything from Japan has 108mm, the Italians tend to use 100mm so yes, you could get even newer ones if you wish, just check with your Honda dealer regards spacers but I'd imagine like the post above they'll bolt straight on
     

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