Tiger front brakes

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Shwsh
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Tiger front brakes

Post by Shwsh »

Ok, never had a bike with abs b4 so need help or advice.
On the Tiger, the left front calliper, looking backwards from the front wheel, feeds the right, via a loop over the wheel. I've tried bleeding, but they're spongy as F. So I've obviously got air stuck somewhere.

I'm sure I read somewhere that I need to raise one of the calipers above the wheel, because no amount of bleeding will get rid of bubbles trapped in the loop. But which, or both?

Also been told to fit braided lines, with a banjo splitter above the wheel.
Never done it, haven't a clue, wouldn't even know what to ask for, or if I need specialist tool to do the job.

Any advice or help much appreciated.
steve the grease
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by steve the grease »

Not a job I'm familiar with , but......... Air bubbles will rise in brake fluid , so if you think there is air in the loop, then the caliper to undo and lift up is the one with the bleed nipple on it. Equally there could be air in the long pipe coming down to the first caliper.
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Shwsh
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by Shwsh »

Unfortunately both have bleed nipples.
I'll have another crack at it tomorrow.
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by Tonibe63 »

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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by redbikejohn »

Easy enough job.
1.Take the rhs off and hold below lhs caliper so the line is more or less straight. You could try bleeding now but try this...
2. Take off master cylinder cap to top up fluid if required.
3.Pump brakes to push out rhs pistons. Top up if required.
4. Now push back pistons to force fluid back out and that should force bubbles out.
5. Doesn't work? Take out pads and try again. Plenty of pumping then push back pistons BUT MAKE SURE YOU DON'T PUMP PISTONS OUT SO FAR THEY POP OUT!
6. Oh you might need to remove fluid from master cylinder when pushing back pistons.

To modify lines. Just go online and suppliers should give you the option in style ie oe type or two single lines. Two lines from master cylinder is what I'd opt for but you will need a longer banjo bolt to mount the two lines.

Note: never had a abs bike so not sure if there is anything to stop you doing this mod.
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bowber
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by bowber »

Reverse bleed as Redbikejohn said above, this give much more fluid moment to dislodge air bubbles.
The best way though is a pressure bleeder, you just fill the bottle, add air pressure and open the bleed nipple until all the air stops coming out. Getting one to fit your Tiger might be a problem though.
ABS lines usually go from the master, to the ABS unit and then back to the caliper, there may be a union under the bottom yoke or it might be one line from the ABS unit to the first caliper.

Steve
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Shwsh
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by Shwsh »

Thanks peeps. I'll give it a go.
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OB1
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by OB1 »

Just a point: all Triumphs already come with braided hoses so don't waste your money... as I did on a Speed Triple... only to find out that all Triumphs come with braided hoses... DOH!

They may look rubber but they are actually braided.
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Shwsh
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by Shwsh »

Thanks OB1, but I've tried, and yet again failed.
Never had a problem with any previous bike, including Blackbird linked brakes.
So it's either because this is my 1st bike with abs, and there's some sort of procedure I need to follow, or its the way they're set up, with the master cylinder supplying one caliper, then looping over the wheel to the 2nd.
Or, it maybe that's it's the std "feel" for this bike. But having had much more powerful "race/touring" type bikes for the last nearly 40 years, with 2 finger pressure braking ability, I don't like the spongyness of this particular adventure bikes brakes.
So the main reason I'd invest in new braided lines would be to get the "feel" back to what I'm used to.
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Elmer J Fudd
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Re: Tiger front brakes

Post by Elmer J Fudd »

I would call the Tiger brakes adequate, but not sharp which may be down to the sliding caliper design.

Not sure if another master cylinder is available or if Harrison Billet are still going, but suspect the expense would be prohibitive.

I don't mind the brakes, it's just the awful screen that I dislike.
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