Triumphrat

DaveInPortland · 05-07-2007

I'm sounding like a broken record when I say that my '02 T100 is both my first Triumph and my first modern bike, but I want to be sure some folk who haven't ready my posts from yesterday are aware of that.

As such, I have never had a bike with hydraulic brakes. Crazy, but true. Yes, one of my classic Hondas has a front disk, but it's cable actuated.

So, now I have this lovely T100 with a hydraulic front disk. The lever has WAY too much play in it. No resistance on the lever or grab on the disk until it's pulled about half way in. How do I adjust this?

It's easy on a cable bike, but with hydraulics I have no clue. :???:

Sure, I'm a dork, but everybody was a newbie once.

Geoff · 05-07-2007

It either needs to be bled, the shoes are worn out, or there is too much free play in the lever to master adjustment. Mine (05) travels about 1/2 inch and I usually stop with 1 finger
G

BILLYSIM · 05-07-2007

Dave,
For safety, have that baby checked out! It does 80% of the stopping work...don't risk an accident.
My '06 acts just like Geoff's above, so you have a problem.
...Billy

[ This message was edited by: BILLYSIM on 2007-05-07 12:07 ]

mecscc · 05-07-2007

I agree. Sounds like very low fluid, air in the line or badly worn pads. Have it checked out.

Monte

CAPTDON · 05-07-2007

Mine used t owork on 1/4 " pull w/ thepinky. Latele I have noticed a little extra play in it. I will ck the fluid tommorrow, but I think the pads are starting to show their age? Will see still stops on a dime! :???:

DaveInPortland · 05-07-2007

Thanks folks. Fluid is at proper level. What is recommended minimum thickness on the pads?

Sheepdog · 05-08-2007

Dave...bleed the brakes. Mine were full of bubbles as set up new. Also, the '02s will benefit with the addition of an adjustable brake lever and EBC HH pads. Both of these items are available from various vendors, including BellaCorse and NewBonneville...

badrufus · 05-08-2007

While you're at it, install a Speedbleeder (NewBonneville.com has them) on the front and rear calipers. Best instructions are on the Speedbleeder website. They make bleeding the brakes MUCH easier.
The brake fluid level can look fine, but the fluid ican be garbage because it is hydroscopic, ie absorbs water. Get a brand new container of brake fluid (DOT 4), and bleed the brake. I don't know if the 02 T100 has braided stainless steel lines or not, but even if it does, Triumph recommends replacing the lines every four years. NB has nice Spiegler lines. So here's the suggested menu for a front Bonnie brake: Speedbleeder, Bleed with fresh DOT 4, new braided stainless steel line, EBC HH pads (follow the bedding instructions carefully). If you don't want to work on the brake yourself, just order the stuff and have a qualified mechanic do it. Again, given that the bike is five years old, you probably want to carefully check out the brake. I change my piston seals every four years (I'm adding to your menu here). The pad retaining pins need to be inspected and lubricated with special disc brake pin lube. If you want to learn how to work on hydraulic brakes, the Bonnie is a good bike because it has just the one caliper, thus one line. There are only two pistons in the caliper, thus a fluid and dust seal for each piston. Get a Haynes Manual for the new Bonneville (and preferably a Triumph Service Manual also) and have at it. One last thought--you need to get some kind of normative benchmark in your mind in order to evaluate your progress. I've not had a bike that didn't have hydraulic brakes (front at least), so I would not know what the norm is for cable-actuated brakes. I'd suggest you go to a dealer and simple try some front brake levers to get a feel for how much play is the norm in hydraulic brakes. Ideally I suppose it would be a Triumph, but something with a two-piston single caliper front brake would give you some idea.

ntr1972 · 05-08-2007

Sounds like the system needs some attention. Te difference between cable and hydraulics should be significantly noticeable.

DaveInPortland · 05-08-2007

I talked briefly with the local shop. Visual inspection shows plenty of material on the pads and slightly yellowed fluid. I'm going to bleed the line and see how she is. I'll replace the line with stainless and check the rest when I put new pads on, probably at the end of the summer.

Speedbleeder, eh? I presume I need to be pouring clean fluid into the resevoir while pumping the handle, although the Speedbleeder site doesn't say that. Their site shows size SB8125L for all late model Triumphs. Is that correct?

Gotta get those manuals.