[DAGAD]

Thanks Ian, kinda adds weight to my argument, no?
Roy.

 

[JasonS]

another note

.. just working the calipers through their range of motion, by taking them off and opening the throw... triumph calipers on teh Tiger and the Sprint I had before, tend to stick a bit. Exercize those pistons and see what happens .. oh, uncap and be careful not to overflow your reservoir...

 

[Jonny955]

Adding to the equation is the fact that 6-piston calipers spread the force over a larger braking area so in theory, the pressure at each piston need not be as high anyway.

With properly bled brakes & the standard Tiger master cylinder I would find it impossible to pull the lever back to the bars without disasterous results, even in the dry.

Went for a superb moonlit ride in the icy air last night. Although I could not brake hard, there is a definate improvement in feel and firmness now that the brakes are bled properly (raised one caliper up above the mudguard). It's back to fully confident two-finger braking now

 

[winger]

You want to bleed e'm real good??,put an elastic band on the lever and handelbar and leave e'm over night.

 

[blacktiger]

Thanks Ian, kinda adds weight to my argument, no?
Roy.

Not really. A smaller master cylinder will exert a greater pressure (psi) through the system than a bigger one for the same effort at the lever BUT you will have more movement at the lever because the smaller diameter still has to push the same amount of fluid through to the calipers. So what Robbie was saying is that it might "feel" better but actually be worse.

 

[Jonny955]

You want to bleed e'm real good??,put an elastic band on the lever and handelbar and leave e'm over night.

Heard this before but I've never tried it. Do you fit the elastic band simply to pressurise the system without opening the bleed nipples? What does this do to the air bubbles?

Jon

 

[triple3john]

I regularly tie back the front brake lever on my Speed Triple and overnight it firms up the lever. But the effect is temporary so my guess is the air bubble is forced down the hose and then returns to the top,so back to square one.
Anyway I think I've cured my brake problem on the Tiger. I've decided to trade-in for a new Tiger 1050 with Woods of Abergele. I've dithered over this decision for months now,as the 1050 luggage is compromised. I was swayed because we have organised two European trips this year and I would have had to invest in upgraded suspension,new tyres and a service. So with the current Triumph offer of £800 of accessories with the new bike I've took the plunge and ordered a black Tiger with 3 box luggage,centrestand,heated grips and handguards. I'm also thinking of the Arrow exhaust. This is a big investment so I'll be hoping for the right level of performance. I'll miss the 955 as it has taken us on 3 major European holidays,coped well with all weather and road conditions and never missed a beat in 21,000 miles. Oh well you have to change at some point,and the older the bike the greater the cost to change.

 

[winger]

If you do the elastic band trick,to be honest it bleeds the lever almost solid,so you can end up with zero feel,it soon goes back to a more practical feel,i normally use it when i've had either the pipes or calipers off and i can't be arsed to bleed every last bit of air out of the system when an elastic band will do it for me.

As far as the front brakes are concerned i solved what i consider to be a very average offering by Triumph by taking the hole lot off and replacing with Beringers.

Re,buying another bike,now thats an interesting one,i have to confess over the years to have done more than my fair share of the headless chicken routine when it comes to buying bikes,having had a couple of Africa twins and then a new Tiger in 99 when bought my 955 in 2001 the deal cost me £2500 and the old Tiger,so i worked on the basis if it cost me 2500 every 2 years after 6 the bike would owe me nothing,i've had it 8 and it's still going strong with 30,000 and i've got the £7500 that i've saved in that time,just wish i'd worked it out years ago!!,although i have to confess to having run at least 1 other bike along side it.

 

[triple3john]

There's no doubt that buying new bikes or cars is a money pit with depreciation,but it does give the Feel Good Factor ! Anyway I felt that the 955 didn't have the agility or handling (when pushed) for the forthcoming lads trip to the Alps.Spending money to improve would not be economic so the 1050 will do the job and as I intend to use it for future European trips over the next 3 or 4 years I'm sure to get my moneys worth. I have 2 older bikes which I'll keep so the depreciation hit is not too bad,I hope.

 

[winger]

6 years ago i enquired about buying a pair of Dymags for my other bike,when being told they were £1350 i was outraged,my dear wife replied,the average man lives 3 score years and ten,so if your lucky enough to be Mr Average you'll be dead in less than 20 years,i'll have e'm gold i said,and thats the exact conversation,it's only money,your gone a long time!!

Re your 955,i also ride two up all the time,but with months of buying my Tiger in 2001 worked out it was a no go'er and changed wheels/suspension/brakes all in one go,that was 7 years ago it's money well spent.

 

[neil1052]

Thanks Dagad good post !

Just overhauled & bled my 955 Tiger brakes as it had been stood a while, fitted new Ferodo HH pads & they work adequately but still feel not fully bedded in after a couple of days riding.
Will fit a master cyl banjo bolt with integral bleed nipple shortly to see if this helps reduce lever travel.

I have clearly noticed the difference to my 955 Speedy, which are much better brakes, & have more feel & bite.
The 955 Tiger brakes feel similar to how my 05 1050ST was out of the factory with the old 15mm dia master cyl, this was upgraded under warranty to a 16mm dia master cyl which gave less travel more bite & more feel and helped stop as quick as the Speedy.
Hence will likely upgrade to a 16mm master when i've worn these Battlewings out so the brakes can work with better front rubber