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TOPIC: $18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT!

$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #1

It's a given that I've put a lot of hard miles on Max, and the rear brakes get plenty of use. The ABS has pulsed me to a safe stop more than once, but this oversight on Yamaha's part could have disastrous effects for someone one day. The rear hydraulic brake cylinder is more than adequate to perform its task, but the rod end they used could stand some improvement. After almost 12,000 miles I had noticed the ABS acting up, and pulled it down to investigate further. What I found was a bit unnerving to say the least. On a brake system that actually pulses the pedal by using inertia from the swing arm, you'd think that a material better than pot metal would have been used for the rod end. Mine had become elongated from use and finally broke away at the end. Below are the pics of the failed part and my cycle salvage remedy that cost me $10. Once I had the original part off, a simple trip to the local bike junkyard provided me a much better and stronger fix than what was originally used on our beloved Vmax. Take a look for yourself & see the difference between the cheap part used vs. the heavy steel end I chose.




As much as I stand up for & defend Yamaha, this is one of the rare times I say "Shame on you Yamaha, This could easily bite you in the a$$!" :blush:

The steel end came from an old Kawasaki brake cylinder, but most Jap bikes are similar and the part was easy to find. It may weigh a few more grams and eventually get rusty, but I'll take the trade offs for BRAKES THAT DON'T FAIL! Got some hard miles on your Max? CHECK IT! ;)
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Lean & Mean it in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
Get your V-Max ECU Re-Flashed to Full Power!
Last Edit: 3 years 7 months ago by Bad_Max.
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Re: $18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #2

Christ,that could have turned out with disastrous results..
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #3

Nice work Bob.. Thanks for keep us informed on so many levels. I will change mine out soon..
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #4

OUCH!!! Thanx Bob...your info is invaluable...definately a potential safety issue..
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To the Max....
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #5

My Raider brake rod had the same failure, Yamaha must have went with the cheapest bidder. So this isn't just VMax related in general. Of course it didn't help that I hit a dog on the Raider and the impact on the rear brake pedal probably didn't help.
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #6

Hey you have really short fingers , is that why your on the rear brake so much? thanks for the heads up
vmaxr :rotflmao:
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #7

:weight: just would like to know....was this because you have been very hard with your back brake or did this happen from normal braking and lots of miles :rollingno:
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My name is Helen, I got my 1st bike in 1973 it was a 650 Yamaha in 1974 I had 2 650 Yamaha's I then got a 850 Yamaha and was the 1st in New Zealand to get the 1100 Yamaha.I have a 2005 xjr1300
I would like someone to buy me a 2009 VMax as I just love the look of this bike and I would love to ride...
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #8

Whatever the reason, thats a critical area to use a cheap piece on such a heavy bike with ABS brakes. :S
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Lean & Mean it in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
Get your V-Max ECU Re-Flashed to Full Power!
Last Edit: 3 years 7 months ago by Bad_Max.
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #9

Thanks for the heads up Bob
Kawasaki part number please :)
Best Regards, Jack
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Re:$18,000 bike, $2 part, REPLACE IT! 3 years 7 months ago #10

"Hey you have really short fingers."


ROFLMAO.

Hey short attention span theater, The man is trying to save lives here. lol
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