New brakes on old bike

[Lowe119]

Not really a racebike question, but.....

Can I put a newer bike's front brake reservoir, cylinder, and lever on my 1978 Hawk - without changing the hose, calipers, and rotors?  ;D ???

I have my "commuter bike" ready for the road, but can't seem to get the front brakes to work worth a crap (and I would like brakes). So I was thinking about finding something on eBay or someone's crashed bike to put on there.

Needless to say - I'm not very mechanical. That is why I got this bike - to learn on.

Maybe eBay items 2484944925 or 2484696909?  :-/

[tzracer]

Yes you can. The diameter of the master cylinder piston should be the same. Changing the diameter will change the leverage ratio and the travel of the lever.

How long since the brake lines (especially if they are rubber) have been changed, or the brake calipers and master cylinder have been rebuilt?

[Lowe119]

It's probably never been touched, besides me putting fluid in and bleeding. That is why I figured it would be cheaper for me to buy a newer used assembly than to rebuild the old...

What do you think?

[tzracer]

Sounds like the master cylinder and calipers need to be rebuilt. Really just a matter of disassembly, cleaning, and replacing the rubber parts (unless the pistons are damaged).

You really should change the brake lines. Rubber lines have a finite life time. 4 years used to be the recommended replacement by most manufacturers.

[INSANESTEVE777]

IF THE D.O.T. ISN'T THE SAME YOU MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM TOO. BUT I'D TRY A LITTLE BIGGER MASTER ON AN OLD BIKE. THOSE OLD BIKES ARE CREAPY TO RIDE AFTER RIDING A MODERN SPORT BIKE. TIRES AND BRAKES ARE SCARY,DONT CATCH A RAIN GROOVE YOULL DIE!!! HEHE