Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: jonathan on November 18, 2015, 07:58:46 AM

Title: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: jonathan on November 18, 2015, 07:58:46 AM: Have a look at these and tell me what you think. I have never liked the look of the plastic reservoirs and wonder if this would be a suitable replacement.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Brake-Levers-Master-Cylinder-Reservoir-Fit-Kawa-GTR1400-CONCOURS-14-07-12-/191552988577?hash=item2c9972a5a1:g:ws0AAOSwEeFVG5QG&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Brake-Levers-Master-Cylinder-Reservoir-Fit-Kawa-GTR1400-CONCOURS-14-07-12-/191552988577?hash=item2c9972a5a1:g:ws0AAOSwEeFVG5QG&vxp=mtr)

(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ws0AAOSwEeFVG5QG/s-l500.jpg)
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: Flat-spot on November 18, 2015, 09:11:18 AM: I have the cheap Chinese levers and they're ok. The master cylinder is a whole other ball game. I think I would hesitate to trust them with the most important job of stopping. Then there is the question of lever travel/fluid volume ratio. Internal specs are unknown compared to stock. Lever travel, brake feel, and clutch function may end up being unacceptable.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: connie_rider on November 18, 2015, 09:51:29 AM: Visually, they look ok, but as Flat Spot noted, you don't know the specs.
(And don't know the specs of the stock reservoir/master cylinders).
Without knowing the specs, I suspect their specs are fine.

For the low cost, may be worth a try.
Just be extra careful until your sure they are working safely.

Ride safe, Ted
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: maxtog on November 18, 2015, 03:11:52 PM: Scares me too. Anything that deals with the brake system makes me nervous.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: VirginiaJim on November 18, 2015, 06:57:19 PM: Wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: datsaxman@hotmail.com on November 18, 2015, 07:42:59 PM: It would be easy enough to check the specs if you had these on hand by just pulling them apart.
I expect they just copied one of the stockers from some generic Japanese bike and then use the same body and different levers for the different applications.

I would be more concerned with the seals, and metal shavings or burrs cutting a seal than having the specs be slightly different from stock.

saxman
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: martin_14 on November 19, 2015, 08:09:45 AM: this is like trying a seat belt. No, thanks.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: brant bandit on November 19, 2015, 05:52:39 PM: I think for around the same price you could get the new smoke ones from the 2015 and up bike. They're really nice!
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: maxtog on November 19, 2015, 06:25:10 PM: Quote from: brant bandit on November 19, 2015, 05:52:39 PM
I think for around the same price you could get the new smoke ones from the 2015 and up bike. They're really nice!

They are still plastic. But at least they don't stand out as much. The fact that Kawasaki changed it was a nod to the fact that the white ones do tend to detract from the aesthetics (and I do agree). Of course, this is the same company that thought changing to black wheels looks better, on which I totally disagree. Oh well.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: clogan on November 19, 2015, 07:03:50 PM: Plasti-coat the stock ones instead?
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: maxtog on November 19, 2015, 09:55:35 PM: Quote from: clogan on November 19, 2015, 07:03:50 PM
Plasti-coat the stock ones instead?

Without a sight glass, you would then not be able to check levels. Even if you left a strip, it wouldn't be enough light getting in to see the level. On my previous bike (ZRX), they were nice, black aluminum with sight glasses, why they couldn't have done that on their highest-end bike (the Concours 1400), I don't know.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: VirginiaJim on November 20, 2015, 04:15:42 AM: I never check the levels (like to live dangerously)... If those cylinders were made by some big brake outfit like Brembo, then I think that they could be a consideration, but from a no name outfit...I don't think so.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: elp_jc on November 21, 2015, 03:10:28 PM: I wouldn't put those on my bike even if I got paid for it. As Brant said, just get the 2015 smoked ones if the clear ones bother you that much, and call it a day.

Hey Maxtog, I like black wheels MUCH better, so glad Kawi changed them ;). Bike not only looks sporty, but wheels don't look dirty after a few dozen miles from brake dust. I prefer dark gray (or even black) wheels on cars over silver for the same reasons. They're offered in most sports cars from BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes, Nissan GTR, and even Lexus RC-F/GS-F.
Title: Re: Has anyone tried these reservoirs?
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on November 21, 2015, 04:45:50 PM: well, being made of aluminum has merits, as uv degradation of fluid is minimalized, and they actually do have a "level" windo, but its on the backside between the bar and the reservoir... not too smart... without knowing the actual displacement of the piston internally, or what seals you could replace worn ones with is the key not...
I would not buy them.
unless I was building something new and custom.

cheap price tho, but then you get what you pay for.