Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ???

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I was going to order a rebuild kit and stainless pistons for my 73 850 from Olsdbritts and saw that they have (3) different types. One from Andover, one from Molner in the UK and one from Miles here in the States. Now to me the one from Miles "looks" to be machined to a much higher finished quality then the other two and is a bit less expensive as well but I am no expert so I'm wondering if any of you more in the know of these things would suggest one or the other? Thanks, Glenn T. S.
 
Re: Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ??

I think RGM has ones with a threaded boss. Id have to say it is a good idea if you dont have compressed air handy.
 
Re: Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ??

So, a Q for the chemists/metallurgists/rocket scientists in the house... I'd be hesitant to use the stainless piston in an aluminum caliper, for concern of galvanic corrosion. I know we're not immersed in salt water here, but, the inability to clean in there, and occasional wetting, a constant coating of brake dust can be corrosive to the alloy caliper.
What say the brain trust? :idea:
 
Re: Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ??

No brain trust here - hell, no brains here, trust me - but IMHO, stainless poses no problems, and when it comes to "which stainless," whatever Al Miles, the guru of this stuff, at least in the US, says is what I go with.
 
Re: Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ??

I replaced mine with these:

http://www.eurojamb.com/norton-750-850- ... -1594.html

The quality of the finish was excellent. I have no idea who the manufacturer is.

Although there is some potential, no pun intended, for corrosion, an occasional fluid change will eliminate the water that might accumulate so I'm not worried. I considered DOT 5 fluid but it seems that the general consensus is DOT 3 or 4 work best despite the hygroscopic qualities.
 
Re: Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ??

Stainless is the way to go in this application. :wink:
 
Re: Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ??

I have the RGM pistons with the extra thread and speaking as a time served precision turner I was very happy with the quality of them. The thread is good idea IMO after spending much time over the years on both motorcycle an car brakes of many different types struggling with seized pistons. There price is not much more than the none threaded type also sold by RGM so I bought them.
As far as corrosion is concerned the steel fasteners fitted all over your bike (not mine it all stainless were not critical) are far far more prone to attacking in alloy parts they are fitted in (years of Off road landrover competition learned that the hard way☺)
 
Re: Stainless pistons for Lockheed brake caliper, 3 types ??

Go with Miles' parts, of Vintage Brake......he is a brake guy after all, just my 2 cents worth :D
 
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