Triumphrat

03-06-2007, 02:34 PM

I am not sure if I am being paranoid or if I am suffering from the well publicised brake fade problem. My dealer told me it was all resolved and not an issue on the 07 but this morning the lever certainly seems to come back further. It is not when the brakes are upto temperature which is when I would expect fade, it actually gets better when I pump the lever a few times but then next time I grab it it is soft again.

I also felt my discs and one seemed very hot compared to the other, I then rode a while without using the brake and they were both cool so I know it is not binding.

I did however go to pull away with my disc lock on, I did not think it was a big enough impact to cause damage and I did not drop the bike, but this is the disc that is now hot and the brake fade eerily seemed to come on straight after this.

Any ideas lads, is this the dreaded inherent problem ??
or is it cos of my disc lock or is it all in the deep paranoia stalking my every ride ?

HARVEE · 03-06-2007, 02:43 PM

first thing i would do is get the front of the ground and see if the disc is warped

Mikey-S3 · 03-06-2007, 02:57 PM

Most of us would see this as the perfect excuse to put on some hawt new brake disks. I suggest you go that way :razz:

gr8shandini · 03-06-2007, 02:58 PM

It certainly sounds like it. The problem isn't brake fade, but excessive slop in the pad to rotor distance caused by ****ty caliper seals. If the Triumph "goodwill" fix doesn't take, just find some Tokicos from a GSXR-1000. You'll need some longer brake lines, but other than that, it's a 1 for 1 swap that'll cost you less than $150 total.

MonkeyHanger · 03-06-2007, 05:57 PM

Hi PoolyT,
I'm pretty sure you dont have the dreaded fade problem. My bike has just had 07 pistons fitted as the solution the big fade. Did you get your bike from M&S?
If you'd like to try a different wheel in your bike your welcome to try my mine in your bike. I have the original stached away in the loft.
MH
PS
Its the RAT pack meeting tommorow evening at 8pm at the Coach & Horses, Birtley Come along and have some crack if your free. Maybe join in some rides with the daft lads. They are a great bunch. If the weather is OK i'll be on my baby.

Quote:

On 2007-03-06 12:34, PoolyTriple wrote:
I am not sure if I am being paranoid or if I am suffering from the well publicised brake fade problem. My dealer told me it was all resolved and not an issue on the 07 but this morning the lever certainly seems to come back further. It is not when the brakes are upto temperature which is when I would expect fade, it actually gets better when I pump the lever a few times but then next time I grab it it is soft again.

I also felt my discs and one seemed very hot compared to the other, I then rode a while without using the brake and they were both cool so I know it is not binding.

I did however go to pull away with my disc lock on, I did not think it was a big enough impact to cause damage and I did not drop the bike, but this is the disc that is now hot and the brake fade eerily seemed to come on straight after this.

Any ideas lads, is this the dreaded inherent problem ??
or is it cos of my disc lock or is it all in the deep paranoia stalking my every ride ?

03-07-2007, 08:40 AM

Thanks for the input lads, I am a bit hesitant to accept that the disc may be warped as the bike has only done 1500 miles in the 3 months I have had it.
I am riding it everyday and the roads I am on (rural pembrokeshire) are covered in a lot of farm muck, so getting the pistons crudded up is a possibility.

I gave the caliper a few taps with my disc lock this morning and when I got to work both discs felt the same (both red hot this time- ouch), also the lever did not seem to have as much travel in it.

I will jet wash them clean tonight (I know you have to be careful with jet washing) and also look at getting the front wheel off the floor to check out the disc.

Monkey Hanger, cheers for the offer but I am currently 400 miles away, come June I will be based back up in the mighty Pool and will take you up on it then if that ok.

Hawt discs ? what is the craic with them, better performance, looks or what ?

Previous to getting the S3 in October I had a 2000 Fazer 6 with braided hoses and I had no problems with them at all, despite about 3 dropping incidents due to riding off with the disc lock on, no dirt in the calipers, seized pistons and they were top quality brakes for the full 6 years.
Hence I will be very surprised and disappointed if the Triumph with its superior build quality and technology has temperamental brakes.

Thanks again folks.

MonkeyHanger · 03-07-2007, 08:59 AM

No bother mate just PM me when you're back up North.
MH

tomstumble · 03-07-2007, 12:25 PM

Press both piston back into the caliper and then pump them up and see if that helps.

SavageHenry · 03-07-2007, 12:33 PM

I'm with gr8shandini on this one. I have the 07 and while my bike always stops, the brakes feel sloppy. There is too much travel in the lever (especially when I compare to my buddies R6) and I don't care what anybody says, the brakes just don't feel right. They work, but the feel is completely different than any bike I've ridden. I say they suck.

By the way Gr8shandini - if you're still monitoring - have you done the brake swap? I'm interested, but not terribly mechanically inclined. However, I can follow some ***** directions. Are they posted anywhere? What would I need?

scgstuff · 03-07-2007, 01:04 PM

Pooly,

If you rode off (don't know if rode is the word...attempted to ride off is better) with the disk lock on 3 times on your old bike and once already on the new, you need to get yourself one of the "remove before flight" type notification devices. I have heard of a coil band that you attach to the disk lock and run up to the handlebar as a reminder when lock is on. Might be worth checking into.

Shawn