Master Cylinder Upgrade

Hi Peter, Andover Norton do a new upgraded original style replacement front brake master cylinder. Probably safer than a re-sleeved job. Just fitted one to my '74 850 Commando. Not had a chance to road test it yet and check the improved brake performance, but will report back in due course.

RGM re-sleeve the original cylinders, a very effective improvement. No safety issues there, a properly engineered job.

Hello Peter

You can fit the RGM sleeving kit yourself, but you have to borrow/hire a big tap (threading not water) from them, and it requires no other special tools but does need a few kernels of brainpower to suss out what is going on.

Probably less stress to send it off RGM and ask them to do it

The new Andover Master assemblies are similarly smaller bore, and look very nice.

You must fully overhaul the calliper so that both pistons are sliding freely. Fit new ring seals. There are articles on the web regarding how to get stuck pistons out. I pumped some out using the brake lever plus fancy packing pieces where the disc normally lies. If you find chromed steel pistons in there then it should have new stainless ones fitted.

There are also articles on this site about how to bleed the system easily once done.

I have heard that with new soft pads the original calliper can be a reasonable brake with the smaller bore master cylinder. Does look nice and original as well.

Norm

I have the earlier Andover master cylinder upgrade used along with Ferodo Platinum pads. Not cheap but a quantum leap in performance..

I suppose the "wooden" feeling depends on what is being compared. My '72 never caused me any concern with the original brake setup (have in the pasted been able to lock up the front wheel with it). I only converted as the master cylinder rebuild kits have not lasted very long for me."Madass" is an Aussie ex-pat in the Philippines that sells a nice master cylinder (Brembo type) that can be used with the stock switch assemblies on '71 and later. He can be found on accessnorton.com.

Or dare I say it fit a Honda item with the span adjustable lever and repair kits available easily. Built in micro switch for the brake light on some and about £25 on eBay The lucas switch gear is poor anyway. I have a Honda LH switch on the other side that does dip,horn,indicators and flash. what more do you need? The only switches on the right are a kill switch and a starter button. Not needed.