Practical Sportsbike mag

[Jim Lyon]

Hi,
   In issue #2 of this mag, there's an article on a ZZ-R1100 REBUILD
      On P99, of this article, @ the top left hand corner, it refers to a Brake Caliper Piston Puller Kit ( box is coloured blue ) with expanding collets. Not being able to afford compressed air, this kit is of particular interest as a 2MA I'm rebuilding has sticking pistons on the rear caliper. Does anybody know if this kit has universal application i.e. will it remove any brake caliper pistons? - What brand is it, where can I get it from, & @ what cost?

  Cheers,
   Jim

[Yatsushiro]

Jim

We've missed you, where've you been (selling sunglasses, perhaps?)

A cheaper alternative is to use a large expanding bolt (used in construction, when bolting steel framework to concrete etc), a larger version of this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-X-M10-X-135-RAWL-SHIELD-ANCHOR-WALL-EXPANDING-BOLT-/250624969182?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_DIY_Material_Nails_Fixing_MJ&hash=item3a5a6989de#ht_500wt_928

[Warwick]

Or just use the brake system's hydraulic pressure to push them out to where they can be wiggled out by hand? If you still can't wiggle them out from there, split the caliper and hold them in well cusioned vice while wiggling off the caliper half.

[Martin77]

Or take the caliper to a local bike workshop and get them to pop them out with compressed air if they won't pump out with the lever....

[ms51ves3]

Or if they're not that stuck, get a 12v compressor for £4 and use that. Got all 6 pistons out like this with my 2MA that had sat for over 10 years so it does work.

[Warwick]

One of those little ones you often pick up in fuel stations? I have one of those, but have never thought about using it for caliper pistons? Sounds good though. I'll give it a go! Cheers!

[teezer250]

One of those little ones you often pick up in fuel stations? I have one of those, but have never thought about using it for caliper pistons? Sounds good though. I'll give it a go! Cheers!

I have one of the above that i've had for over 20 years and used that on my previous 2ma and current 1kt calipers pistons and spare front caliper pistons with good effect using adaptors supplied with it.
A bit of plusgas beforehand also helps loosen them,and they can blow out with considerable force when they eventually loosen up,spraying the trapped remaining fluid inside everywhere,so be careful and wear eye protection and latex gloves.

[Russ]

You can get the pistons out with a bike floor pump and the attachment for blowing up inflatables. The piston still comes out with a bang but is more controlable.

As has been said using compressed air you have to be very careful and set the regulator to its lowest setting, or you can cause damage to yourself when the piston comes out like a 50 caliber round.

[Jim Lyon]

Jim

We've missed you, where've you been (selling sunglasses, perhaps?)

A cheaper alternative is to use a large expanding bolt (used in construction, when bolting steel framework to concrete etc), a larger version of this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-X-M10-X-135-RAWL-SHIELD-ANCHOR-WALL-EXPANDING-BOLT-/250624969182?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_DIY_Material_Nails_Fixing_MJ&hash=item3a5a6989de#ht_500wt_928

Hi Dr. Yats : ) - To many balls to juggle & not enough internet access time - sigh ! - Selling sunglasses? - Not me. I was only ever trying to sell a discount coupon to recoup my own money.

The construction expanding bolt idea is a good one, but it requires me to split the caliper. Compressed air is probably easier. Certainly I didn't know a bicycle  vertical pump would work. - as mine's good for 160+ psi, I might give that a try.
 Thanks for all the input guys - & have a good weekend.  : )