Brake caliper refurbishment

[icenian]

Quick summary: twin pot brake calipers refurbished to better than new standard (incl. stainless pistons) for £50, powdercoated up to the edge of the dust seal race so they won't rot. Get it done before they rot, otherwise it's too late.

Africa Twins are notorious for rotting brake calipers (alloy just "crumbles" to expose the seals around the pistons). replacement ones cost about £250 each, and I've had a brand new caliper rot in less than 2.5 years! It's hardly unknown on other bikes. Here's a picture of what can happen (thanks to tedmagnum for the photo):



I made enquiries to see if repairs were possible, and the answer seems to be no; but the blokes at Wemoto put me onto Nick Chambers, who refurbishes calipers. It's too late for me, but if your calipers are still OK he can fix them up to prevent them rotting away.

For the record I haven't used Nick's services, but I am posting this (a) I know AT owners are desperate for a solution to this problem, and (b) I really really wish I'd known this 2 years back, as I'd definitely have had this done

Nick says:

I always powder coat up to the edge of the dust seal race to stop what's
happened to your calipers.

[...]

I have a set price for brakes, all £49.50 each for the full monty for
your twin pots, you get back a fully rebuilt caliper all fittings that
you send are re-zinced (any pad shims are chemically cleaned as the zinc
does not stick) so include all the pad pins, slider pins etc.

The bleed nipples will be changed for stainless steel items, as will
the pistons, and fit new seals.

Stainless banjo bolts are £2.50 each if needed.

Return postage is £8.00 recorded delivery for a pair.

I can make up stainless hoses in various colours with all stainless
fittings if anyone wants any, these are made to supplied lengths on
banjo centres.

Contact: n.chambers53ATntlworld.com [replace AT with @]

I am sending a rotten caliper to Nick as he is interested in seeing if a repair could be done safely. Watch this space...

[AlanH]

Considering how much new seals and stainless pistons are, thats a total bargain! He could be a busy man!

[Whealie]

Good shout. The spare set in a plastic bag I was about to clean and strip are going off to him methinks.

[R0vers]

Thats the bargain of the year - well worth it.... i wonder what the turnaround would be - as i use my @ everyday.........

[icenian]

Turnaround is the big issue for those of us who ride all the time. Nick gave me an estimate but I don't want to post anything here that might not be typical; best thing to do would be to ask Nick.

Buying a pair from a breaker, fitting whatever is worst to your bike and sending the best ones to Nick, seems like the best option.

I'm sure you'd be able to sell the spares afterwards, so someone in the same boat!

In fact maybe there's people on this forum with spare already who could get the ball rolling? In theory just one spare pair of calipers being posted round the country is enough for everyone to get theirs refurbished

[Mervinh]

I can highly recommend Nick great guy i have a lot of dealings with him in the RD club, He has done calipers for me well i bought the recon calipers off him, i have also bought his stainless RD bits,
Merv

[Whealie]

Originally Posted by icenian

Turnaround is the big issue for those of us who ride all the time. Nick gave me an estimate but I don't want to post anything here that might not be typical; best thing to do would be to ask Nick.

Buying a pair from a breaker, fitting whatever is worst to your bike and sending the best ones to Nick, seems like the best option.

I'm sure you'd be able to sell the spares afterwards, so someone in the same boat!

In fact maybe there's people on this forum with spare already who could get the ball rolling? In theory just one spare pair of callipers being posted round the country is enough for everyone to get theirs refurbished

Possibly, though the ones that come as spares may not be original @ ones (I am currently using non-@ callipers on one bike)

[xrv_jim]

Originally Posted by Whealie

Possibly, though the ones that come as spares may not be original @ ones (I am currently using non-@ callipers on one bike)

What calipers are you using Whealie?

[Whealie]

Originally Posted by xrv_jim

What calipers are you using Whealie?

NO idea. When I sent my wife to buy brake pads (honestly she was going that way anyway) they turned out not to fit. So I had to take the pads off and get her to go back with them

[xrv_jim]

Originally Posted by Whealie

NO idea. When I sent my wife to buy brake pads (honestly she was going that way anyway) they turned out not to fit. So I had to take the pads off and get her to go back with them

Women!