Triumphrat

rnexussix · 11-12-2009, 11:57 PM

Going to replace my front and rear brake rotors and pads. What would you guys reccomend,I do with calipers, aside from cleaning them out with brake cleaner and tooth brush. Someone mentioned replacing the original pistons (on front calipers) with teflon coated ones. Opinions ?
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After doing a forum search, I'm starting to wonder if I should just replace the stock calipers with GSXR parts, instead of rebuilding them (new piston kit is about US$200.00).

Power-Tripp · 11-13-2009, 09:20 AM

The GSXR and R1 calipers are often cheaper to pick up used, than the cost to rebuild the stock 2005-2007 calipers.

WHile you are at it, replace the master cylinder at the same time with the GSXR or R1 units. 2 finger stoppies will be easy.

A good set of HH pads that match the calipers used will make a large improvement as well.

rnexussix · 11-13-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power-Tripp

The GSXR and R1 calipers are often cheaper to pick up used, than the cost to rebuild the stock 2005-2007 calipers.

WHile you are at it, replace the master cylinder at the same time with the GSXR or R1 units. 2 finger stoppies will be easy.

A good set of HH pads that match the calipers used will make a large improvement as well.

Thanks for the reply Power-Tripp
If I"m not mistaken, master cylinder replacement would require replacement of the brake lines ? If yes .., I think I'll hold off on that.

I am happy in general with brake performance. However I believe that the old front calipers caused the slight rotor warping, hence the replacing of the rotors and by the looks of it, the calipers as well.

29138 · 11-13-2009, 05:17 PM

You won't need new calipers, just replace the pistons.

Ferris · 11-13-2009, 06:01 PM

You could always keep an eye on ebay for some 07 calipers. I bought some that way for US$75 and they came with near new pads!

shane Liberty · 11-13-2009, 08:23 PM

90% of the time if you just clean up the calipers and remove all the road dirt and grime the brakes will work fantastic. Changing out parts or trying to upgrade just the pistons will be a waste of time unless you are chasing high performance. If you use the bike to putting around town just clean up the existing stuff and call it a day.

Use brake cleaner to clean the parts. You can use compressed air to force the piston pots out of the caliper. Clean the O-rings carefully making sure not to damage them. I small pick will remove the O-Rings from their machined groove. You can use a grinder wheel that is fitted with wire bristles to remove any serious pitting caused from wear and tear on the pistons. Be careful not to scar the pistons, though, as they will no longer seal up if you do.

Also, DO NOT USE CARB CLEANER on the O-rings. This will cause them to swell and they will fail. You won't even be able to get the pistons back into the bore.

onthegas · 11-14-2009, 02:16 AM

I was curious to know if I were to change to a yamaha (r6) or (r1) style master cylinder do I have to also change the brake lines? The real reason I want to do so is it looks like the resivoir had been hit at one time and is now a little stress cracked and would like to get rid of it, but bike bandit show it all as one piece.

Could I just remove the resivior from the another and put it on the
S3 master cylinder?

Thanks for the help

DEcosse · 11-14-2009, 12:50 PM

The Radial Master cylinder have banjo bolts that go in from the bottom - conventional on the side. So unless you already have after-market lines - like Galfer, whose banjo ends swivel, the lines most likely will not fit properly without twisting them.

Also, if fitting Yamaha calipers, a spacer is required and also note that the banjos for those Yamaha Monoblocks fit on the side, vs the top on the Triumph OEM or GSXR Tokico. So also would require a twist in the lines.

29138 · 11-16-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane Liberty

90% of the time if you just clean up the calipers and remove all the road dirt and grime the brakes will work fantastic. Changing out parts or trying to upgrade just the pistons will be a waste of time unless you are chasing high performance. If you use the bike to putting around town just clean up the existing stuff and call it a day.

Use brake cleaner to clean the parts. You can use compressed air to force the piston pots out of the caliper. Clean the O-rings carefully making sure not to damage them. I small pick will remove the O-Rings from their machined groove. You can use a grinder wheel that is fitted with wire bristles to remove any serious pitting caused from wear and tear on the pistons. Be careful not to scar the pistons, though, as they will no longer seal up if you do.

Also, DO NOT USE CARB CLEANER on the O-rings. This will cause them to swell and they will fail. You won't even be able to get the pistons back into the bore.

Earlier S3's (2005 and some 2006) had a known faulty caliper piston design. Most dealers did the upgrade with the improved part for free, some even did so after the warranty ended as a good faith gesture. It may not be about higher/better performance, his bike may still have the older piston design in the caliper.....and cleaning these did nothing to help out the many people that suffered this.

Go ahead and clean them well, try that out first. If it returns, as it always does if you indeed have the bad pistons still in there, then you know it's time to swap them out. I wouldn't be too surprised if the dealer just handed you the newer designed pistons for free if you made a little stink and bring up the "recall" back then for them.

DEcosse · 11-16-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S3Junkie

... I wouldn't be too surprised if the dealer just handed you the newer designed pistons for free if you made a little stink and bring up the "recall" back then for them.

I would be surprised if they took that tack to be honest - it's more in the dealers interest to get it done through Triumph - they will get paid by Triumph for the labor as well as providing the parts. If dealer gives the parts, it's all on their own dime and would not think it likely they would do this.
Which always surprises me when dealers make a stink over warranty claims in general - they must have more business than they want if they don't want to do warranty work. You'd think in this economy they'd be more than happy to petition the factory to do warranty (or goodwill) work. They may not get the same rate they would from the guy who walks in the door, but it's still income & keeping your staff occupied.