17mm vs 19mm master brake cylinder, pros and cons? Options

[914 RZ-1]

I need a new M/C. Stock is 17mm, but it seems everyone is selling 19mm. I'll get a firmer pedal and less stroke with the 19mm, correct? Is this good or bad or personal preference?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of both?

Thanks!
-Jeff
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[bkrantz]

At the risk of high-jacking (sorry) what can be done to maximize braking power (real and perception) with the stock system?

As part of my build, I completely overhauled the brakes, with 4 calipers and rear pressure valve rebuilt by PMB, all new lines and hoses, new Porterfield pads, new disks, and a new ATE 19mm MC. I did lots (LOTS! of bleeding) and had a very firm pedal. And I carefully did the bedding procedure that PMB recommends. But the brake power always seemed lacking. I could get one or both front wheels to lock up (barely) if I really stood on the pedal.

@Eric_Shea , and others, any comments?

[Eric_Shea]

At the risk of high-jacking (sorry) what can be done to maximize braking power (real and perception) with the stock system?

As part of my build, I completely overhauled the brakes, with 4 calipers and rear pressure valve rebuilt by PMB, all new lines and hoses, new Porterfield pads, new disks, and a new ATE 19mm MC. I did lots (LOTS! of bleeding) and had a very firm pedal. And I carefully did the bedding procedure that PMB recommends. But the brake power always seemed lacking. I could get one or both front wheels to lock up (barely) if I really stood on the pedal.

@Eric_Shea , and others, any comments?

The biggest part of this equation is realizing it's a 50 year old non-boosted brake system. Mom's minivan and your pinky toe can do better by today's standards.

Depending upon the front struts, you could easily go up to say... 911RS braking power but, I don't think that would do what you want it to either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

If you daily a 914 (which most of us don't do), it becomes "normal". If you daily a 2019 ______, that becomes normal and a 914 tends to feel bad.

Aside from a boosted circuit, this is a difficult (yet extremely common) question to answer with all the variables. My answer comes from living with 914 brake systems for 42 years and dealing with this question for almost 20 years. I think they're not only adequate but "extremely good" by 1970-76 standards.

[bkrantz]

At the risk of high-jacking (sorry) what can be done to maximize braking power (real and perception) with the stock system?

As part of my build, I completely overhauled the brakes, with 4 calipers and rear pressure valve rebuilt by PMB, all new lines and hoses, new Porterfield pads, new disks, and a new ATE 19mm MC. I did lots (LOTS! of bleeding) and had a very firm pedal. And I carefully did the bedding procedure that PMB recommends. But the brake power always seemed lacking. I could get one or both front wheels to lock up (barely) if I really stood on the pedal.

@Eric_Shea , and others, any comments?

The biggest part of this equation is realizing it's a 50 year old non-boosted brake system. Mom's minivan and your pinky toe can do better by today's standards.

Depending upon the front struts, you could easily go up to say... 911RS braking power but, I don't think that would do what you want it to either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

If you daily a 914 (which most of us don't do), it becomes "normal". If you daily a 2019 ______, that becomes normal and a 914 tends to feel bad.

Aside from a boosted circuit, this is a difficult (yet extremely common) question to answer with all the variables. My answer comes from living with 914 brake systems for 42 years and dealing with this question for almost 20 years. I think they're not only adequate but "extremely good" by 1970-76 standards.

Thanks, Eric. I have tried to account for my modern brake bias (no pun intended). I did have Mike M drive my car last summer, and he also thought the brakes should be better.