|  | Topic : Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes |  |
| | | Thatch | | Thor |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 May 2020 - 16:19 Post title : Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes | | | Hello gents ...
I was getting the bird ready for the road this season, seems as if I might have some time to ride this year and after a bit of clean up and charging she came alive with little drama. I took her down the road to feel things out a bit only to then discover that I had effectively no rear brakes. Pedal was pretty soft but fluid levels look to be within spec. No leaks under the bike but even after stomping on them a bit, trying to pump them into life, and seeing if they might just be 'stuck' I've had no progress. I've not had a rear master cylinder ever go out on a bike that I can recall and just dying from sitting seems odd as well...
Anyone else experience this, or have a good guess on what I'm dealing with. I really was thinking it might be a corrosion in the rear caliper but I'd expect a very hard pedal were that the case...
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| | | VABird | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 28/09/2014 | | Posts | : | 1,373 | | Location | : | BEDFORD, Virginia, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 May 2020 - 17:06 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | Was the pedal (a) solid as before or (b) go to the stop?
a- stuck piston (when was the last time you flushed & replaced the fluid?)
b- likely air in system but possible defective MC. (bleed- if you have ABS, you'll need Dealertool to properly bleed)
| The ride may be fun, but in the Great Scheme of things, it really is about the destination! John 3:16 
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| | | MotorMac | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,792 | | Location | : | Nor Cal, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 May 2020 - 17:15 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | Thatch, welcome back!
I'd guess air in system, too. Pedal has never been soft or mushy, even when well worn.
Check fittings and pump a can of dot 4 thru it, should come right back.
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| | | Habuba | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | New Bern, North Carolina, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 May 2020 - 18:21 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | I have had the same problem with my '10 Bird, I used the same brake bleeding system that is used for a car to bleed the Bird. Just make sure the master cylinder brake fluid stays within the marks, use the hand operated siphon pump to draw the air out of the lines until all air is removed, pump up the pedal and top of MC. 
| Link
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| | | Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 11 May 2020 - 12:13 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes | | | What 'dealer tool' would be needed. I didn't get much chance to spend on the brakes this weekend like I'd of liked (mother's day sort of took over) but it didn't seem like there were any odd fittings (but I could of easily missed them).
Fluid level does seem to be down a bit (hard to say for sure as I'm not exactly looking at that all the time) but is within the operating hash marks. Again, no signs of leaking though. I'll see if I can spend some time on it this week and get a few more answers out of it.
J
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| | | MotorMac | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,792 | | Location | : | Nor Cal, United States |
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| | Posted : 11 May 2020 - 14:58 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | Dealer "tool" is for ABS models (access to CAN BUS), no ABS, no access/tool needed.
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| | | Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 11 May 2020 - 15:15 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: MotorMac) | | | I knew there was a reason I specifically wanted a non-ABS bird
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| | | Linkdog | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,923 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 11 May 2020 - 15:55 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | I believe someone else had the same problem can't remember who but it turned out to be the internals of the master cylinder.
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| | | tamboritha | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 26/08/2011 | | Posts | : | 365 | | Location | : | morwell, vic, Australia |
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| | Posted : 11 May 2020 - 22:06 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
Hello gents ...
I was getting the bird ready for the road this season, seems as if I might have some time to ride this year and after a bit of clean up and charging she came alive with little drama. I took her down the road to feel things out a bit only to then discover that I had effectively no rear brakes. Pedal was pretty soft but fluid levels look to be within spec. No leaks under the bike but even after stomping on them a bit, trying to pump them into life, and seeing if they might just be 'stuck' I've had no progress. I've not had a rear master cylinder ever go out on a bike that I can recall and just dying from sitting seems odd as well...
Anyone else experience this, or have a good guess on what I'm dealing with. I really was thinking it might be a corrosion in the rear caliper but I'd expect a very hard pedal were that the case...
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just a query....you say the fluid is within the marks, have you actually taken off the cap and checked if their is any in the cylinder....A mate of mine had trouble with his brakes ( car ) and I checked the fluid level, it was right up and then I took off the cap and it was empty....The marks on the cylinder were made by old oil giving the impression of full....Its worth a look
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| | | rayglo | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 27/10/2012 | | Posts | : | 1,746 | | Location | : | east brunswick, nj, United States |
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| | Posted : 11 May 2020 - 23:21 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | Could it be something simple like corrosion on the pins the caliper slides on. What else could have happened to a bike that hasn't been for a ride for a good while and have failure? I would be taking a look to see if there is movement
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| | | danr620 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 28/06/2016 | | Posts | : | 92 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 12 May 2020 - 17:46 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Linkdog) | | | Thatch,
Hey, I had my rear go out a couple of years ago. It happened over the course of a couple of days. Ended up needing a cylinder kit. Did 4-wheel pros and had a problem. There were a couple of different sizes used in the build and of course got the wrong one. If it won't bleed out you may be doing this. By the way bleeding it took a hell of lot of pumping. Didn't think the line was that long.
good luck
Dan
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| | | Ginetta33 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/10/2016 | | Posts | : | 31 | | Location | : | Broomfield, Colorado, United States |
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| | Posted : 12 May 2020 - 19:42 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | I had the same issue this year, first time i went out after the winter lay off, no rear brake, i ended up bleeding the rear brakes and that cured it now the rear works better than it has for years. hope this helps.
| Dean.
2012 1600 Red Marble Haze, Long TORS, De-cat, K&N Air filter, Summer Screen, Engine guard, Long Haul Seat W Back Rest, LED Head light.
Previous Bikes: 2012 America, 82 Honda CB650, Kawasaki KZ440.
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| | | bnz433 | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/06/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,842 | | Location | : | Clifton Park (Upstate), NY, United States |
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| | Posted : 12 May 2020 - 19:49 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Linkdog) | | |
Linkdog wrote:
I believe someone else had the same problem can't remember who but it turned out to be the internals of the master cylinder. |
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I had this after winter last spring! My rear pedal went right down...no resistance at all. And no brake fluid on the bike dolly from the winter
I tried bleeding the brakes (non ABS '11 Storm), but no improvement. I did rebuild the master cylinder....but that DIDN'T fix it.
Since I was due for a NY State inspection and a new rear tire, I brought it in to my local bike shop.
All he did was reverse flush the lines, and all sorted. New rear tire and inspection.....done. Oh, and since he's not a Triumph "guru" or dealer/tech, no belt chirp issues. He does all my tires....one rear tire a year, and one front tire every 2 years!!
Welcome back, Thatch!!!!
Jamie
| Bennington Triumph Bash - 31May-2June 2019. Home of the (tied in '14 & '15) US RECORD T-BIRD FLOCKING!!!!!
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| | | bnz433 | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 10/06/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,842 | | Location | : | Clifton Park (Upstate), NY, United States |
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| | Posted : 12 May 2020 - 19:52 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: bnz433) | | | Start with regular bleed, forward flush. If that doesn't work, reverse flush back through to the master cylinder.
Then, if still no-go, check your master cylinder....but I'm betting ya don't need to!
| Bennington Triumph Bash - 31May-2June 2019. Home of the (tied in '14 & '15) US RECORD T-BIRD FLOCKING!!!!!
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| | | VABird | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 28/09/2014 | | Posts | : | 1,373 | | Location | : | BEDFORD, Virginia, United States |
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| | Posted : 12 May 2020 - 20:50 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: bnz433) | | | You still never said if the pedal goes to the stop or not.
If not, I'm with Ray on the stuck pins.
If so, it's likely air in system or bad MC
(Another good reason to put on the woolies and ride year round! )
| The ride may be fun, but in the Great Scheme of things, it really is about the destination! John 3:16
| | Post edited by VABird on 12 May 2020 - 20:50 |
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| | | MotorMac | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,792 | | Location | : | Nor Cal, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 May 2020 - 03:26 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
I knew there was a reason I specifically wanted a non-ABS bird |
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Same here, big fan of simple (tho most swear by ABS). So, what's the verdict, Thatch? Expiring minds wanna know.
Betting a good bleed does the trick. If I'm wrong, well..... thems the brakes.
BTW, your T-Bird was a work of art as I recall, wouldn't mind seeing another pic of it.
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| | | Linkdog | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,923 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 16 May 2020 - 14:39 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
I knew there was a reason I specifically wanted a non-ABS bird |
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Same here, " I " wanted the control not the bike.
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| | | Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,410 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 17 May 2020 - 03:39 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: MotorMac) | | |
MotorMac wrote:
Thatch wrote:
I knew there was a reason I specifically wanted a non-ABS bird |
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Same here, big fan of simple (tho most swear by ABS). So, what's the verdict, Thatch? Expiring minds wanna know.
Betting a good bleed does the trick. If I'm wrong, well..... thems the brakes.
BTW, your T-Bird was a work of art as I recall, wouldn't mind seeing another pic of it. |
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You might have to wait a year or two for a reply 
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it 
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| | | Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Jun 2020 - 13:32 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Leethal) | | |
Leethal wrote:
You might have to wait a year or two for a reply |
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Hey now. You act like I'm an unreliable presence here... ;)
No progress made yet. I'm working two jobs between here and Miami and haven't had time to get back at it unfortunately
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| | | Disquieter | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 18/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 36 | | Location | : | Dayton, OH, United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Jun 2020 - 16:08 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | | Oddly enough my bike did the same thing after sitting over the winter this year. I flushed the rear line and I even saw the air bubble as it drained into my catch can. Now everything is fine. I hope that helps
| Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. -Dr. Seuss
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| | | Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,410 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 06 Jun 2020 - 23:26 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
Leethal wrote:
You might have to wait a year or two for a reply |
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Hey now. You act like I'm an unreliable presence here... ;)
No progress made yet. I'm working two jobs between here and Miami and haven't had time to get back at it unfortunately |
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Haha. Let's just say your absence has been noted!! 
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| | | MotorMac | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,792 | | Location | : | Nor Cal, United States |
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| | Posted : 07 Jun 2020 - 18:08 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
I'm working two jobs between here and Miami and haven't had time to get back at it unfortunately |
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All the more reason to fix those brakes. And put a video cam on your bike too, while you're at it. We'll wait....
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| | | Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,410 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 07 Jun 2020 - 22:41 Post title : Re: Hibernating bike, wakes without brakes (Re: MotorMac) | | |
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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