GT 380 Brake upgrade

[bazit]

Hi
Now that I have a fully functioning bike I have found the brakes not to my liking as they seem very poor (front) would any of you out there recommend an up grade to the standard system.
Bazit

[Alan H]

They were never great, but the single disc I have on the 550 isn't too bad. Have you got modern pads? They run in OK.
Easiest upgrade is to fit a second disc and a master cylinder off a GT750 (or GS550/750/850/1000/SV650 etc) as they are for twin discs and the original master cylinder on yours is for a single disc. Look for a 'D' underneath the master cylinder for a twin disc MS.

Of course if it is the earlier twin leading shoe drum brake, they were crap when they were good!

[Craig380]

If you're not bothered about originality, a master cylinder off a Bandit or RF600 etc fits straight on. These have a piston which is big enough for twin modern multi-piston calipers, and they make the 380 brake much more powerful and sensitive.

As Alan said, a modern pad compound and braided hose can really help too. If you haven't stripped the caliper and greased the pins with the proper red rubber grease, that is well worth doing too.

[Cliff]

Start with changing the brake fluid. Next would be changing the brake lines to braided stainless.

[tz375]

And if you are more used to modern bikes and 1 or 2 finger stopping, the next steps might be to fit modern disk and caliper.

My personal preference is CBR600F2 (?) disk rotors and SV650 or EX500 caliper on a special adapter, but there are many other alternative combinations that will work just as well.

[yeadon_m]

Half-joking (and agree with the tips for improving stock brake):

-ride slower
-leave a bigger gap in front
-enjoy the heart rate rise you get every time something moves out in front of you

These are old clunkers after all.
Mike