Triumphrat

WibblyWobbly · 08-11-2009, 04:02 AM

I bought my Tigger new, and love it.

Within a few hundred miles I started getting a clunk every time I hit the front brakes. If I just bounce the suspension up and down whilst stationery then no noise, if I do it with the front brake on then there is a clunk that comes all the way up the fork legs and through the bars, giving the impression that the head bearings are shafted.

I have narrowed it down to the disc rotors. They move around quite a bit and it is this movement that causes the clunk, it sounds and feels horrendous, especially when braking at traffic light etc.

I have only done 5k miles and have to confess that I haven't used the brakes a great deal as it has mostly been high mileage touring stuff (its only 4 months old).

Does anyone else have this happening? I am tempted to go back to the dealer and see if the cups have worn prematurely, but forewarned is forearmed as they say?

Cheers

Rob G

nutter · 08-11-2009, 10:34 AM

Check all the bolts that hold the calipers to the fork legs, make sure they are tight. whilst your at it check the disc fittings if they are floating discs, hold the disc at each side and try to move the disc side to side and up and down you will get a bit of movement but not much. If you do get lots of movement it might be the springs tabs that have cracked(mine are solid mounted discs so im clutching at staws with this one)
Might also be worth checking the anti rattle plates in the calipers to see if they are cracked (and in place).
Daz

WibblyWobbly · 08-11-2009, 01:32 PM

Its definately not the caliper bolts, the problem lies in the amount of play in the discs. They move around quite a bit and its the free slack that get taken up when I hit the front brake that sends a kerr-klung up the forks and headstock. I honestly thought the head races were loose first of all, then I suspected the fork springs klanging against the top of the forks..but now I have narrowed down the source.

I know two other Tiger owners and other Trriumph owners, but none of theirs do it. I am wondering if it is premature wear in the bobbins, or whether a couple have seized up somehow?

nutter · 08-12-2009, 11:13 AM

Are they floating discs?

WibblyWobbly · 08-12-2009, 12:48 PM

Yep, full floaters. There is sideways play, and backwards/forwards, plus a shade of up/down. They are also incredibly flexible, I can flex them with my fingertips.

I think it is the forwards/backwards movement that causes the klunk when the rotors take up the slack when braking.

I might try gently rotating each bobbin to ensure that none are seizing up (other threads suggest brake cleaner helps). It is that millisecond of braking delay, plus the klunk, that I find disconcerting.

nutter · 08-13-2009, 10:46 AM

Im not sure about the triumph set up but bikes ive had before with floating discs , the disc will have a spring washer fitted , ive had these crack when i had my GS and this caused excessive movement .
Also a bigger problem was that the cast secton of the Hub where the bobbin fits tended to wear into a domed shape due to movement, one way of rescuing it was to file the boss flat.
Good luck.
Daz