• You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will see less advertisements, have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

ZTL2 8 Piston brake caliper Master Silynder Problem

Buellxb Forum

Help Support Buellxb Forum:

km6020

New member
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Messages
2
Dear Freins..

This is south korea.

I have a xb12scg 2008.

I've recently had accidents twice after replacing spare parts I bought in ztl2 8piston brake caliper from twinmotorcycle in Netherlands .
The reason was because I lost control when I applied the front brake at low speed, toughly rolling front wheel and handlebar
(At high speed, I feel its brake capability is superior to 6 piston and there's no problem.)
The two accidents were all the same outbreak at low speed, losing control with the urgent braking.
At first, I thought it was unavoidable, but I happened to meet the same situation, I came to think it may be a problem from ZTL2 8 piston brake caliper.

​The model I bought from you is ZTL2 8 piston brake caliper but I omitted 8 piston master cylinder, so I used BREMBO 19*20 item Korean Garage recommended, not using the one twinmotorcycle recommended.

I guess Brembo master cylinder' pressure mayn't match ZTL 8 piston brake caliper's pressure.

Now, after two serious accidents, I'm experiencing tough situations that may stop me riding the bike again, so I have some more questions.

1. Using the spare part twinmotorcycle recommended, can't it brake the bike urgently like Brembo master cylinder? Otherwise, is it just the characteristic of ZTL 8 piston?

2. If I use LSL, Steering damper, can the handlebar controlling at low speed be better than now?


HD Sporster was my first motorcycle and I brought BUELL from USA in 2008 by myself because I thought I may be more satisfied with it. I'm really into the motorcycle.

There's a limit in Korea in seeking the advice since it's rather rare in Korea. (For reference, Buell registered in Korea is less than 5, and total quantity is just about 20. And mine has even acquired the eco label.

I still want to ride Buell but I have no choice but to give if I cannot solve this problem.

Up to now, I have enjoyed Buell thanks to the advice from Buell forum. And now buell forum is the only alternative, I look forward to freinds advice.

Thank you..


ztl2 8piston brake caliper.jpg

brembo sylinder.jpg

ztl2 8piston master sylinder.jpg
 
Thank you for your reply.
Did your bike have any big problems with heavy braking at low speeds?
It would be nice to compare the specifications of ZTL2 Master Master Sylinder and Brembo.
Is there any way to know the ZTL2 master sylinder specification?
 
Last edited:
The 19mm Brembo is fine for the ZTL2 caliper. I'm with Lunatic though, I believe its a lever problem.

Do you have OEM levers on the bike?

If it's not original, make SURE that when you install the lever it's not depressing the master cylinder piston. It may activate the brake and not release pressure.
 
Anyone has the diameter for the pistons on the ZTL2?

Brembo M50 4 pot calipers are Ø 30mm and two calipers in a system makes total Ø:240mm where Brembo recommend the 17RCS.

Brembo M4 4 pot calipers are Ø:34mm and two calipers in a system makes total Ø:272mm where Brembo recommend the 19RCS.


I just fitted the Brembo RCS on clutch side and want to do the same for right side MC.
I was first thinking that it has to be the 19RCS 18-20 ratio lever. But Brembo recomends the 17RCS 18-20 ratio up to Ø:258mm total. (max 32mm pistons).
 
Last edited:
You need a 19mm bore for the ZTL-2. That is what produces the correct amount of pressure to the ZTL-2 caliper.

Lever ratio will only change the levers total throw to whatever you personally prefer.
 
Do I? What do you base that on? Do you have the 19mm on ZTL setup?

From what I can see in this tread TS say 19x20 may cause abruptly feel. And one post may indicate that the original MC are 12.7mm. When Brembo states that 19mm are for 32mm+ pistons and bigger.

I interpret that as the ZTL's could be a missmatch with 19mm MC. Maybe even 17mm. I would like to know diameter before i come to any conclusion and spend $300+

Guess I just have to use the evening driving up to my calipers and measure it.


I know ratio only change throw. Then it also makes the feel of the lever to be more or less abruptly. And it could be that 19mm 18-20 ratio MC will be to sensitive no matter what ratio you put it in. Then smaler bore would be better?
 
Last edited:
M/C bore size doesn't just magically produce more or less pressure, sort of. It does, but at a different amount of piston travel. So what you are trying to do it get the amount of M/C piston TRAVEL correct. That will make your lever be in a good spot and the effort required to get it there with your hand what you prefer.

The smaller M/C bore for the ZTL caliper won't have enough piston throw to build enough pressure on the ZTL-2 caliper to even stop the bike with the lever touching the grip. I tried that as an experiment once, and that was the result.

When Buell went to the ZTL-2 caliper, they also went to a 19mm master cylinder. I have a 19mm EBR radial master on both my '08 STT that I upgraded to ZTL-2 and also on my EBR that came stock. They both work very well.

IMO ,20mm would be a good choice if you like a very stiff/short throw lever but NOT smaller than the 19mm that works fine. 18mm will leave you with not enough travel when the brakes get hot.

I know the Brembo M/C is a big expense, so it pays to get the right one! I have an extra stock EBR 19mm radial M/C you can either try it and send back or just buy from me. PM me if you're interested.
 
Thank you for the feedback and offer.

I'm sorry to say that I don't run anything like it today. Not even a Buell :topsy_turvy: Its for a -85 cafe racer build. So its more for show then hard racing. Doubt that I see close to any fade limit. But I do want the best match when I first go for such a expensive system. Whole front will be combo of XB12/1125r parts.
I already did a good deal on a Brembo RCS clutch lever for the wire to hyd conversion and want same lever for right side.


I measured on the caliper now and it's 4x30mm and 4x26mm = 224mm total.
I think the only correct thing would be to ask Brembo what they think. And watch for a used one. And If I have to go for a new one take the one shop recommends so it would be easy for return/swap if it turns out to be wrong.
 
19mm is right.

It's the only 'right one'.

It's the size you need.

Just get that 19mm one.

Because it's right for that caliper.

Not any smaller.

Not much bigger.

19mm.

You asked, so there is your answer.
 
google says 3/4 inch just a few thousandths smaller than 19mm, Josh. when i worked for NASA during the apollo missions and ran into a similar situation...we would just fill the bore with JB weld...let cure for 24 hours....then hone to a sparkling mirror finish. got us to the moon and back so should work on motorbike brakes.

This is useless info. The motorcycle is NOT going to the moon. He needs to stick to metric or all the calibrations will be lost. John, you should especially know this since you were a former astronaut, not to mention pro wrestler and porn star. Remember the fate of the Mars climate orbiter when they mixed up acceleration readings between pound-seconds and newton-seconds?
 
This is useless info. The motorcycle is NOT going to the moon. He needs to stick to metric or all the calibrations will be lost. John, you should especially know this since you were a former astronaut, not to mention pro wrestler and porn star. Remember the fate of the Mars climate orbiter when they mixed up acceleration readings between pound-seconds and newton-seconds?

Hello John th.jpg
 
Oh, wow. So that's how it is? Kick the little man for not immediately swallow when one seasoned racer tells that a multi million € company are wrong about there own products...

And yes, I know Brembo give out general information on product to fit multiple setup, and the racer here talking about one specific setup-that might actually be the best setup. Why blame me for not immediately bite?


Got response back and they say both 19 and 17 will work. 17 will be less sharp.
I'm still afraid to end up with too narrow band on the handle to definitely go for the 19mm... sorry.



I really hope I have misinterpreted the last 6 posts here and something was missed in translation when I tried to read them... :confused:
 
I will give the same answer, no matter how many times you ask the same question. Thats not kicking. I'm being nice and sharing my knowledge and experience with you. What other answer do you want?

Buell put the 19mm master on the ZTL-2 caliper that they designed.
EBR put the 19mm master on that same caliper.
Even Brembo says the 19mm will work the best.
I'll still offer to send you mine so you can see for yourself.

But do whatever you want. You're the one who asked.
 
The RCS 19 Brembo works well with the ZTL2, the addition of a span adjuster allows for a while riding recentering of the pivot pin, goes from 18 to 20 dial in for feel, 18 a bit softer and not abrupt and the 20 setting for hard braking ie: track days. I like the feel a lot and the M/C has performed well on my XB. I had a Brembo look alike mechanical clutch perch made in England to match the Brembo M/c, a bit pricey but I wanted matching perches on my build.
 
Last edited:
Sorry if i sounded a bit salty. Just felt that the last posts was a bit on my expense being a novice.

Do Brembo say two things? Both that 19mm are best for 8x32mm or bigger calipers, but also they work best for under 32mm?


Anyway. I just ordered the 19 after talking to the store also. And I get a 1:1 change if it turnes out that I do not t like the feel for the 19's.
 
Back
Top