Triumphrat

Geof3 · 10-31-2005

I'm still baffled how so many have issue with the brakes. The only thing discussed is lever travel. Is this when in motion, or when riding. No doubt there is more lever travel on the S3 than on say a Duc, but the brake system is different. My lever is set on 4 has been since day 1. There are now 2200 miles on the bike, with no change. The brakes stop the bike in a heartbeat and have not been a problem even on the track. I personally like the feel of the brakes.

So the question is... Is everyone worried about the lever "moving" a bit more, or... actually performing the function for which they were designed? Or do I have the only good set on this board?

HarriS · 10-31-2005

I am not worried.

PaloAlto · 10-31-2005

I agree with most of what JC said re sticky pistons. Except that the pistons stick "open", not "shut". So rather than lightly rubbing against the disk, the pads have a small gap between them and the disk - this is what takes all the lever travel to fill before the brakes begin to do their job.

I'm able to keep my lever set on "4" and never have trouble running out of squeeze room.

About every 1000 miles, as the lever gets softer, I check the little tab at the top of the brake pads for ANY movement against the disk. If there's even the slightest jiggle on one, remove the retaining bolt and pull that pad set out. Turn it sideways and set it in front on ONE piston. Squeeze the lever until you see the other piston move just a few mm (too much and you'll have trouble getting the pads back in). When you've set one like this, take the pad set out, slip it in front of the piston you just adjusted and adjust the second piston. Put the pad set back in, replace the retaining bolt and you should be set. If you've never done this, you may have more than one or two pistons sticking open.

ELP_JC · 11-01-2005

This is getting interesting :razz: .
First of all, since I have big hands, and always have the levers all the way out, I'm not too worried about the brakes anymore. However, I always ride and brake with 2 fingers, so if the lever touches my other 2 fingers, I'd have a problem. We'll see, I guess.
Now, Paloalto, what you're saying is the pistons are RETRACTING too much after braking; how can you attribute that to crude around the pistons? Crude cause the pistons NOT to retract, isn't it?
Hey, patience guys; we almost solve the mystery :hammer: :hammer:

buzlin · 11-03-2005

Hey,

So apparently some one had the fix done in so cal, under warranty. His dealer was able to get the service number and parts.

T2020323 Seal Kit
T2020335 Caliper Bolts
T2020337 Joint Seal
T2020338 Seal Grease

Good luck, maybe we can get some momentum over here.

Tom

jbonbelay · 11-06-2005

For those of you that do not have issues keep up the good work.

I have bleed mine twice, had the dealer bleed them twice and generally have to dial the lever one number every 300 miles +/-.

This is BS!

Furque · 11-06-2005

Two UK bike magazines (MCN and either Ride or Bike) have mention the same problem.They were in contact with Triumph and reported back that the wrong type of grease had been used on the pistons during assembly and that pistons should be taken out, the brakes and pistons cleaned, regreased with the correct type and the unit should then work as intended. What the correct grease is i don't know. My bike, which is an '03 model has a problem with spongey brakes also, and bleeding it only lasts a week or so and then the problem returns....... :hammer:

Furque · 11-09-2005

Well i spent 45 minutes fitting a 5/8" front brake master cylinder to the ST..... It has certainly firmed up the brake but as with my last big bike there is absolutely no feel with it.... I shall leave it on for a couple of weeks though just to see if it softens off like the 14mm one did... I suspect i'll be re-fitting the 14mm master cylinder and stripping both front callipers and cleaning the heck out of 'em though!...... :hammer:

HarriS · 11-09-2005

Quote:

On 2005-11-06 00:06, jbonbelay wrote:
For those of you that do not have issues keep up the good work.

I have bleed mine twice, had the dealer bleed them twice and generally have to dial the lever one number every 300 miles +/-.

This is BS!

Everybody propably have this brake "issue" but some don´t know, some don´t care and for some it it nothing to worry about since the brakebites like hell anyway.

YOU CAN BLEED THE BRAKES AND HAVE THEM BLED BY THE DEALER MILLION TIMES AND IT WON´T HELP. THAT IS BECAUSE THE BROBLEM IS NOT AIR IN THE BRAKES. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?

kuhlka · 11-09-2005

Is there just a rebuild kit we can buy online or are we stuck taking the bike into a dealer for this service? I'd rather just do the work myself and get it done in a day rather than wait for a dealership to get time to work on my bike and have to transport it back and forth.