First build and need to clean out my caliber

[Jihrie]

I am rebuilding a Honda cb350 and need to clean out my caliber and replace the seal. What is the safest/best way to make this thing shine. I can post a photo tonight if that helps.

Thanks

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Make the outside shine? Of your Caliper? There are small Honing devices for the inside of the cylinder.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

It's "caliper," dingleberry, not "caliber.

Best way to remove the piston, is to pull the caliper, but leave the brake line attached. Then pump the brake lever to pump the piston out. DO NOT use compressed air. The piston may not come out at all, or it may come out as a high-speed projectile. A forum member lost part of a finger that way.

If you want to polish the caliper, the best way is to bead blast first, then polish using a buff wheel with emory. You may have to do some wet sanding with progressively fine sandpapers before the emory. Depends on what you are looking for as a result. Polishing, is a whole other subject that I am not going to address in this thread.

After you get the piston out, if it is not pitted, you can clean it up with a buffing wheel. No need to hone the inside of the caliper, a little steel wool to clean out any corrosion should do the job. When reassembling the caliper, lubricate the piston with a non-petroleum caliper lube. Do not use brake fluid to lube the piston. Brake fluid should ONLY be inside the seal. Outside the seal, it will attract moisture and cause corrosion.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_99997944-P_x_x?cm_mmc=ACQ-_-Google-_-enhancedRM-_-99997944&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=99997944&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=&gclid=COaqk93mnbkCFUSi4Aod5TwAoA#utm_source=acq&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=enhancedrm&utm_content=99997944

 

[Jihrie]

Thanks! and I caught the misspelling as soon as I posted it. That's what I get for posting from a phone. :/

 

[mark13018]

Yup, Alpha is really good with these kind of things... I'm actually surprised he didn't mention powder coating it clear ;D .. You will probably have more maintenance with it being polished to prevent oxidation that can happen more quickly than you think... Powder coating it will make it last a lot longer with little to no maintenance. You can still have a close to polished look by just using clear powder coat... It's pretty cheap also.

 

[Bonehead]

All I did was did a little dip in acid, and then powdered it at the shop I apprentice at. However since you dont have the ability for cheap (free ;D) powdercoating, everything alpha said is right on the money. Well, except if I'm honest, I use compressed air to get pesky pistons out regularly and have yet to lose a finger. I just put a small piece of 1/4' steel I cut just for this use and put a shop towel on it. Pops out, no harm, just a loud bang but BE SAFE and just use the lever to get the piston out if you have no desire to lose a finger.

Here's a couple pictures of the final product:

 

[Rich Ard]

First build and need to clean out my caliber

Well, except if I'm honest, I use compressed air to get pesky pistons out regularly and have yet to lose a finger. I just put a small piece of 1/4' steel I cut just for this use and put a shop towel on it. Pops out, no harm, just a loud bang but BE SAFE

This is so stupid it makes my head ache