[ST] Re: Triumph Brakes was RE: Brett

[Nathan Maher <nate@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Emile,

I can't recall how many miles you said were on your Sprint when you 
bought it but I believe that it was used, right?  If so, I HIGHLY suggest 
removing the front calipers, one at a time and checking to make sure that 
all of the pistons are moving freely.  You can do this by gently 
squeezing the brake lever (don't go to far, bad things will happen :)) 
while observing the caliper with the pads removed.  It helps to have an 
assistant, but is not 100% necessary.  If you're bike is like mine, after 
a while the buildup of brake dust and other misc. junk will cause some of 
the pistons to work less freely than the others.  This will result in a 
softer feeling brake lever as well as inconsistent brake force 
application.  My brakes were totally shagged after about 14k.  After 
cleaning the calipers (which can be done in a few hours with them still 
mounted on the bike) my brakes were like never before.  They are now very 
linear and progressive where before they had a sort of "dull" zone 
followed by rapidly increasing brake force.

Someone (a list member) was actually kind enough to email me instructions 
on how to clean the calipers.  I can't find my copy but maybe someone 
else still has it.

Regards,

Nate
00SprintRS


Emile Nossin wrote:
 > The Sprint brakes are actually less sensitive, in the first part of
> pressure at least. Of what I've read it seems that they did that on
> purpose to make the brakes a bit friendlier. I guess practice, practice,
> practice would be the obvious answer. I also assume you locked up the
> front, not the rear? In contrast to ABS, it's best to start braking
> gently, then building up pressure gradually to try to keep feel with
> the brakes (also obvious I guess). It's also important (and probably
> obvious to you as well) to use mainly the front brake, not the rear.
> If that doesn't help I would guess an ABS Sprint is in order to prevent
> killing yourself ;-).
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