Clutch and Front Brake Master Cylinder Upgrade with 2007 VFR800 MC's

For anyone wanting to get better braking and clutch feel for these old, tired ANALOG machines, this is for you. In March, I started to restore and upgrade my 1984 Yamaha RZ350 giant killer. The first thing I wanted to upgrade was the front brakes. While I was researching which brake components to use, I came across what has to be the most beautifully machined levers ever! Zeta billet levers. I decided which components to use from there like a Brembo MC from a Yamaha '07 FZ1 and Yamaha R1 clutch perch.

Eventually I thought about the same upgrade for the 86 VFR700 and decided on 2007 VFR800 master cylinders to try on this bike. This bike has very good brakes, for 2 piston calipers already. I found the MC's on Ebay and carefully chose almost perfect MC's to try. I installed the front brake MC and Zeta lever first while I was waiting on the clutch MC. A Mityvac made quick work of bleeding the Russell SS brake lines. Honda DOT4 was used. Next I went on several test panic stops. One test from 95 mph pulled the bike down to 30 quick, but, it will never be up to par with 4 or 6 piston calipers. The feel was better also. The wow factor of the Zeta lever and newer VFR700 master cylinders was worth the expense alone.

The Zeta clutch lever arrived first and it actually fit the stock MC!! So one could use this lever without buying a newer MC. I did not try the stock front brake MC with the Zeta lever. I can check this if anyone is interested in using just the Zeta lever. I did the same install with the 2007 clutch MC. After some testing yesterday the clutch action was easier and with a better feel.

Yesterday was a good test of both setups on a nice canyon carving run. The lighter clutch pull was great along with better feel at both levers. 21st century controls on a 20th century machine. Now all I need to finish upgrading the controls will be a G2 Ergo throttle tube. Later....

 

Nice write up with the pictures, I got an SV650 master for my ninja 500, way better unit especially after doing a rebuild on the oem piece and still dealing with "stiction." Like the look of them levers, may have to check them oot on Ebay.

 

Thanks ridervfr!

I forgot to add that the levers are slightly shorter just in case you have huge hands. Only 3/4" or less, shorter. Some may think this is a waste of money or just bling. Coming from a dirt bike background where you are constantly slamming on the brakes and fanning the clutch it is vital to me. On the street, the front brake especially can be a lifesaver. Now I have 1 finger front braking instead of 2. The more fingers you have on the bars and not on the lever is important.
Plus enhanced feel. This is about the only upgrade for these old bikes you can see and take advantage of other than tires.

 

You didn't mention bore diameter sizes. If you want to upgrade to new clutch and brake master cylinders you need to identify the stock bore diameters and then compare it to any new cylinders your considering. Ideally you would want the new ones to match the old ones, but there is some wiggle room depending on the lever travel of the original parts.

If the new brake bore is larger than the old, then you'll lose brake pressure as well as have less lever travel. You'll need to squeeze it harder to compensate.

If the new brake bore is smaller than the old, you'll get more pressure and more lever travel. You'll need to squeeze it softer to compensate. This sounds good, but the danger is you can make the brakes too sensitive or run out of lever travel leading to a crash.

So definetly pay close attention to the new parts your looking at and get all the info on them.

 

Jason, I could only dream of motoGP brakes on the VFR!! That would definitely not be for everyone though. There was not a clue of bore size on the newer MC's like the Yamaha MC's for the RZ350. It was a shot in the dark so I kept it machine specific, axial and not using CBR radial MC's which I wanted to at first. It would have been better to have had several different MC's on hand. I matched the RZ350 axial MC's with Yamaha R6 4 piston calipers. They are also used on the Yamaha FZ1 so they matched. Now RZ350 was in serious need of stopping power. The stock 1 piston calipers had no feel and 2 stroke engines have very little engine braking also. That bike should be able to perform a stoppie every time with one finger on the brake.

I really doubted that this VFR could stop much better with just a MC change. 2 piston Nissin calipers are a little weak for that.

How do you like Jamie's rear shock he sent you? I have one ready to install soon? Any issues or comments on the shock? I would like to hear about it. Ed

 

Nothing much at all to say about his shock. I installed it and the ride is so much better now. It works great, I don't even think about the rear suspension any more. It does exactly what it needs to.