Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

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Write2Paul90277
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Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#1

Post by Write2Paul90277 »

Hi,

My 84 GL1200 Naked Wing is a pleasure to ride, BUT I wish I had more front brake power through the hand lever.

Has anyone re-plumbed their front brake lines so both front brakes are actuated with the front lever? (You know, like a normal dual disc bike.) If so, how did you plug-off the rear brake line so it won't activate the right front disc?

Also, has anyone tried braided steel lines on the 1200?

Thanks in advance,

Paul
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gltriker
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#2

Post by gltriker »

Nice looking bike! tumb2

Scroll down to the bottom of this page. Similar Topics.
Last edited by gltriker on Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#3

Post by Rat »

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Lots of info on this plan.
As Cliff says, see the threads at the bottom of the page.

Gord
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Write2Paul90277
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#4

Post by Write2Paul90277 »

Well there's certainly no shortage of opinions on the topic. Maybe I'll just go with braided steel brake lines for a bit more "bite."

Thanks, folks.
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flyin900
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#5

Post by flyin900 »

I have exactly the same bike (standard) and no issues with braking. These are close to a 50 year old bike now, so some improved lines and possibly better pads (sintered) may help your needs. Part of the rear brake line set up already uses a steel line I believe, or maybe that’s the hydraulic clutch line back there :-D
It won’t stop like a modern bike though, know matter how many tweaks that you do. :crosso

Looks pretty clean there, is it low miles? The best “road couch” I have ever owned.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
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1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
Write2Paul90277
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#6

Post by Write2Paul90277 »

Mine has about 25K miles on the clock.
In my opinion, the 84 - 87 GL1200s had the best combination of power, smoothness, (relative) simplicity, ease of maintenance (no valve adjustments), and good looks. If only the Standard had fuel injection, then I'd be wildly happy.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#7

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Yeah, definitely start with new brake lines. I owned a 1200 Standard for many years, along with several bikes that had normal brake setups, and it took me several years to realize the 1200 HAD linked brakes. It's a lot of work to de-link them, and while everyone has an opinion, unless you plan on some hardcore dirt or snow riding, I don't think the effort is worth it.

(The only reason I got rid of my 1200 is because I got the opportunity to essentially trade it for a '97 Valkyrie, the ONLY bike I would consider better. Those 1200 Standards really are something.)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#8

Post by GSP »

I had linked brakes on my '83 1100 Interstate - that was made that way on the 1100 for the USA market only, I believe. I have unlinked them and the only apparent difference that I have found so far is the hand lever comes further back to the bars. That model had a smaller front master cylinder than the normal set-up since it only fed one wheel cylinder.
To enable the change I just bought a longer metal rear brake line and left off the proportioning device fitted on the frame just ahead of and below the left side swinging arm bearing.
Not really a major job. I also swapped all flex lines for metal braided.
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#9

Post by BlueThunder »

If you are going to unlink the brakes, use a 15mm or 5/8" master cylinder for the front brakes. Anything smaller and the lever will travel too far. Anything larger and the brakes will feel "wooded". Run stainless steel brake lines from a double banjo bolt from the m/c to eliminate a junction. This will make bleeding easier and quicker. 4-into-1 or z1 Enterprises has a stock looking aftermarket m/c, and the stainless steel lines.

The rear m/c should be fine as is.
...Brian
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#10

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I believe the brakes on the '84 1200 are basically the same as on the '83 1100.

The so-called "proportioning device" is actually just a splitter. The proportioning is accomplished by using calipers with different sized pistons, smaller for the front one and larger for the rear.

That leads to the major issue when un-linking the brakes: The left and right front calipers have different sized pistons so the one with the small pistons will do most of the work and also wear out its pads sooner (I did mine so long ago that I can't remember which side that is). To get the full advantage of un-linking them you need to either find a matching caliper to replace the one with small pistons or just replace both with a matching pair (mine are from a CX650E).

BTW: When I got mine the lines were completely blocked with gelled/crystallized brake fluid so I replaced them all with stainless braided lines, doing away with the solid steel lines in the process.

I prefer the cleaner look of a single line attached to the master cylinder so I used the splitter from the '77 with one line up to the master and 2 down to the calipers. When I bleed them I do one side as if it was a single caliper setup and when it is done I leave it alone and do the other side as if it was a different single caliper setup. In 24 years since I first put this bike together I don't recall ever having trouble bleeding them.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
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goldminer1
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#11

Post by goldminer1 »

Very happy this question has been asked. I recently purchased an `86 Interstate and have decided to turn it into an Interstate/Standard, keep the fairing and maybe the bags and ditch the trunk and the 50 lb stock muffler. it would be the big brother to the`82 1100 S parked in my garage and ridden for the last 10 years. And more to the point, un linking the brakes. But not for any performance improvement but to allow me to start riding again after several surgeries, which have left me with limited range of movement in my right ankle (burned most of the Achilles tendon).My idea was also to use a splitter from an 82 1100 or an`83 CB1000 and using HEL braided lines. No need now as all that work has been done, So many thanks to all who posted info on parts and pitfalls.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Has anyone UN-linked their GL1200 linked brakes?

#12

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Note that at least in Canada & the US all motor vehicles for use on public roads are required to have two separately operable brake systems so that you still have a chance of stopping it if one fails. Cars & trucks have the emergency brake (often erroneously referred to as a parking brake) and bikes have the independent front & rear brake systems.
When bikes are converted to hand controls they usually get an extra lever on the handlebar to operate the rear brake.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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