Seized rear caliper, boiling brake fluid

[rocketjohn]

Seized pistons in Motorcycles I bet is fairly common. My Suzuki did the same thing. Fortunately I was close to home, and didn't damage the rotor. I just got a replacement caliper from a dude that was parting out his wrecked Suzuki. It's helpful to change the brake fluid every year or two. Keeps the seals pliable, and limits moisture intrusion. Moisture causes rust and that's was seizes the pistons. There are other contaminants of course, but flushing the fluid regularly limits all of that.

 

[mully95]

Thanks @ mully95 , now I have you in context I fully understand what you mean .
My post was based on previous experience with another manufacturer , I certainly do not profess to be a triumph technician by any means and any knowledge I have about the R3 has been gained mainly from you guys and a couple years living with my own ! In hindsight , the problem mentioned was probably caused by bad adjustment , as you mention and I did touch on that in my post .
As for stripping my own calipers , I do this mainly because of a harrowing experience with calipers in the past , but also because I don't find it a difficult job to do . I did mention I was being anal , I am about my whole bike be it brakes , stem adjustment , tire pressures or any other maintenance I would call routine . Living in England my roadster spends a lot of the winter laid up , so I do confess to having the time to do these things so I know the bike is ready and tip top for the next season . I cannot afford dealer prices so I do all the work myself and enjoy it . Be it a failed gearbox , not yet touch wood ! Or a failed caliper . I do not suggest any design flaws of the R3 whatsoever , especially on a 2014 model . Mine is a very mint 2010 . Sorry for any confusion caused !

Shoot..... I got you and alpental confused with one another.... sorry about that.

I fixed my previous post.

 

[Nat67]

Shoot..... I got you and alpental confused with one another.... sorry about that.

I fixed my previous post.

No problem mate . I admit myself that my posts seemed a bit unintentionally doom and gloom !

 

[alpental]

Either I have seen a lot of 2014 Roadsters are having problems or I've been seeing alpental's posts about the problems. That sucks either way.

Before buying the Rocket X, I had read in a lot of reviews of 2014 having this same problem. Almost kept me away from buying the bike. I have no idea if Triumph made any changes but have not read anything about the 2015 or later having this issue.

I just went through the bikebandit.com OEM part details for '11, '14, and '16 Roadsters and all parts of the rear brake system have identical part numbers. I guess that doesn't mean Triumph hasn't updated brake system parts with known failures and made them applicable across all Roadsters (I can't see a part number history), but they're all the same.

 

[TURBO200R4]

i am responding to this with little researching. i fell like i have the flu. if it helps ok and if it dont say what u want.
i was wondering that the brakes sezing up would be the problem for felling slaps on the foot pedal. my reasoning behind this is when u have a warped rotor it puses the brakes and u could probably fell the pedal or fell it bouncing around. just a thought dont shoot the messenger.

 

[alpental]

i am responding to this with little researching. i fell like i have the flu. if it helps ok and if it dont say what u want.
i was wondering that the brakes sezing up would be the problem for felling slaps on the foot pedal. my reasoning behind this is when u have a warped rotor it puses the brakes and u could probably fell the pedal or fell it bouncing around. just a thought dont shoot the messenger.

"the problem for felling slaps on the foot pedal" What? I think you mean "feel" not "fell". Either way, the rear brakes were just fine immediately leading up to this incident. No pulsing or grabbing of any kind, just smoother operators. And the past 50ish miles were all easy cruising highway miles, nothing very aggressive.

 

[rocketjohn]

The rotor might not actually warp unless and until it cools unevenly, so you wouldn't feel pulsing until it cooled off, and you went out riding without making repairs. When mine seized the brakes just stuck on and the pedal got hard as a rock. Fortunately the rotor did survive. Though recent measuring indicates it is near end of life wear wise.

 

[sonny]

I just went through the bikebandit.com OEM part details for '11, '14, and '16 Roadsters and all parts of the rear brake system have identical part numbers. I guess that doesn't mean Triumph hasn't updated brake system parts with known failures and made them applicable across all Roadsters (I can't see a part number history), but they're all the same.

What i was thinking is that truimph used some defective parts back in 2014 and did not become aware of the problem untill it surfaced. Harley did the same with 2012-2014 clutch baskets that were not heat treated properly and refused to acknowledge the problem.

 

[rocketjohn]

What i was thinking is that truimph used some defective parts back in 2014 and did not become aware of the problem untill it surfaced. Harley did the same with 2012-2014 clutch baskets that were not heat treated properly and refused to acknowledge the problem.

HD missed a perfect public relations coup with that! Once it was discovered that the baskets were badly treated, they could announce, "We will replace these defective clutch baskets, and the cost will be borne by the supplier, and no money charged to the customer." That's taking care of your customers and leading people on the fence to believe that HD might take care of them. Such a great way to do business....but they dropped the ball.

 

[alpental]

My HEL Performance stainless steel brake lines arrived today. The carbon black color looks great and the lines seem well made. Waiting on a few more parts before I change the oil and rear tire and then take her in for her 20k mile service, warranty claim on the rear braking system, and installation of upgrade bits (brake lines, coolant hoses).