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Recent posts
#1
Steamers (1993-1998 Tigers) / Re: Rear brake issues/update
Last post by Beernard - August 30, 2025, 11:35:04 AMApologies, Ssevy. Total misread.
#2
Steamers (1993-1998 Tigers) / Re: Rear brake issues/update
Last post by Beernard - August 29, 2025, 11:21:15 AMJesus Russ! Binding brakes can never be fun.
I have had one instance, which was corroded pad pins. Jammed them so tight that the fluid boiled out of the master cylinder! Brembo on a Ural.
Back to the point, are both calipers misbehaving? Might be a clue there.
I have had one instance, which was corroded pad pins. Jammed them so tight that the fluid boiled out of the master cylinder! Brembo on a Ural.
Back to the point, are both calipers misbehaving? Might be a clue there.
#3
Steamers (1993-1998 Tigers) / Re: Rear brake issues/update
Last post by Madruss - August 29, 2025, 09:41:12 AMRear brake 
When I took the granite tiger for its first 20klm trip down to the dam last year (the first ride since it's reconstruction) I rode to one of the two dams. There's an uphill section, which I'd hoped to leave my Harley riding companion in the weeds.
On hitting 6th gear it felt a battle, so stopping at the lookout I noticed steam/smoke around the caliper.
Upon opening the bleeder nipple, a jet of steamy fluid was expelled.
With a downhill & sinuous surface, it had me on the brakes several times earlier!
I had bled the brakes during the course of its reconstruction, so maybe there's an issue internally with the caliper.
Further investigation required
When I took the granite tiger for its first 20klm trip down to the dam last year (the first ride since it's reconstruction) I rode to one of the two dams. There's an uphill section, which I'd hoped to leave my Harley riding companion in the weeds.
On hitting 6th gear it felt a battle, so stopping at the lookout I noticed steam/smoke around the caliper.
Upon opening the bleeder nipple, a jet of steamy fluid was expelled.
With a downhill & sinuous surface, it had me on the brakes several times earlier!
I had bled the brakes during the course of its reconstruction, so maybe there's an issue internally with the caliper.
Further investigation required
#4
Steamers (1993-1998 Tigers) / Re: Rear brake issues/update
Last post by Lee337 - August 28, 2025, 09:15:36 AMI had an Aprilia RSV1000R way back in 2000. Yes, I know a completely different beast to the Tiger, but that had rear brake issues. More than once n long trips, especially in the summer it would stick & like you, I thought I was resting my foot on the brake pedal.
As this was pretty much pre-interweb, there was not a lot o info around as to the cause, so I rebuilt the callipers, but it kept happening, oddly only on warm sunny days. A chance encounter with another RSVR owner resolved the issue. The rear brake reservoir was mounted almost touching the exhaust & while not hot enough to boil the fluid, was hot enough to make it expand just enough for the brake pads to touch the disc. Not enough to notice when riding, except on those rare hot UK days, but enough when the weather was cold for me to go through a set of pads every 2-3000 miles.
Moving the reservoir solved the issue & never had another problem after that.
As this was pretty much pre-interweb, there was not a lot o info around as to the cause, so I rebuilt the callipers, but it kept happening, oddly only on warm sunny days. A chance encounter with another RSVR owner resolved the issue. The rear brake reservoir was mounted almost touching the exhaust & while not hot enough to boil the fluid, was hot enough to make it expand just enough for the brake pads to touch the disc. Not enough to notice when riding, except on those rare hot UK days, but enough when the weather was cold for me to go through a set of pads every 2-3000 miles.
Moving the reservoir solved the issue & never had another problem after that.
#5
Steamers (1993-1998 Tigers) / Rear brake issues/update
Last post by ssevy - August 28, 2025, 02:21:11 AMSome of you may remember that during my cross country ride to LA in 2021 I cooked my rear disc and had no rear brakes when I came into LA on the last day(that was exciting).
I had assumed that riding in a prolonged tuck position may have caused my boot to depress the rear pedal just enough to engage the brake, but it may have been the flowback hole being clogged in the rear master cylinder.
In any case, I rebuilt the rear caliper in LA before riding home, but it was still sticking a bit.
Fast forward to this year's attempt, which got me only one day west before the rear brake began to really act up.
I did find a rebuild kit through Brakecrafters, which included new stainless steel pistons, and all new rubber bits. Unfortunately, the pistons were very tight, so I found a machine shop today, and the older machinist used a brake cylinder hone on a cordless drill with some spray WD40 for lubrication. He worked each side until the pistons moved freely but were not too loose. Anyone with a drill could get one of these hones at an auto parts store and be back in business quickly.
The bottom line is that the aluminum got hot enough to deform to the point where the pistons were sticking. I couldn't believe it could be that hot, but now I'm finally back on the road after the honing and rebuild. I also rebuilt the rear master cylinder, too. Yes, they have kits for all of the calipers and both master cylinders. A bargain compared to the $700 Triumph is currently asking for a new rear caliper!
I had assumed that riding in a prolonged tuck position may have caused my boot to depress the rear pedal just enough to engage the brake, but it may have been the flowback hole being clogged in the rear master cylinder.
In any case, I rebuilt the rear caliper in LA before riding home, but it was still sticking a bit.
Fast forward to this year's attempt, which got me only one day west before the rear brake began to really act up.
I did find a rebuild kit through Brakecrafters, which included new stainless steel pistons, and all new rubber bits. Unfortunately, the pistons were very tight, so I found a machine shop today, and the older machinist used a brake cylinder hone on a cordless drill with some spray WD40 for lubrication. He worked each side until the pistons moved freely but were not too loose. Anyone with a drill could get one of these hones at an auto parts store and be back in business quickly.
The bottom line is that the aluminum got hot enough to deform to the point where the pistons were sticking. I couldn't believe it could be that hot, but now I'm finally back on the road after the honing and rebuild. I also rebuilt the rear master cylinder, too. Yes, they have kits for all of the calipers and both master cylinders. A bargain compared to the $700 Triumph is currently asking for a new rear caliper!
#6
Speaking Of Bikes... / Re: Comfort seats
Last post by Madruss - August 27, 2025, 02:00:18 PMAirhawk is the go 
I had a "Coleman comfort seat" stretched over my standard seat (09 Te'ne're') with the MX style boxer undies a couple of trips. It raised my seated height but comfort it didn't give.
So I ditched the MX "bloxkers" & added the Air Hawk as well as fitting 30mm of stiff foam under the cover, (well an upholsterer did it)
Made a huge difference but I'm 6'3" too.
I've used the Coleman on the standard Steamer seat in conjunction with the Air Hawk but I'm still awaiting the return of my spare standard seat with the hollow removed!
Hopefully I will achieve the comfortable riding position I've been chasing for 2 years.
I had a "Coleman comfort seat" stretched over my standard seat (09 Te'ne're') with the MX style boxer undies a couple of trips. It raised my seated height but comfort it didn't give.
So I ditched the MX "bloxkers" & added the Air Hawk as well as fitting 30mm of stiff foam under the cover, (well an upholsterer did it)
Made a huge difference but I'm 6'3" too.
I've used the Coleman on the standard Steamer seat in conjunction with the Air Hawk but I'm still awaiting the return of my spare standard seat with the hollow removed!
Hopefully I will achieve the comfortable riding position I've been chasing for 2 years.
#7
Engine and Transmission / Re: Cylinder head gasket
Last post by GingerDog - August 26, 2025, 02:55:09 PMYeah, thanks for that, I've had no luck though. I really don't want to re-use the old one but it looks as though I don't have any other option.
#8
Other Triples / Re: Daysie's Diary
Last post by Lee337 - August 24, 2025, 06:59:52 PMTwo steps forward, one step back 
When I tried to start Daysie the other day (sorry, I didn't film it), I noticed the temperature gauge jumping around like a kangaroo on springs. In my haste to get the front fairing & headlights on, I assumed that the many different connections were all different. Turns out I was wrong - the temp gauge & rev counter have exactly the same 4-pin connectors, the onbly two that ARE the same. Dumb a$$ me got them the wrong way around, but I had to remove the mirrors, front fairing & headlights to find out.
It still doesn't answer the question of why it wouldn't start though, so while I have it stripped down again, I'll remove the airbox, check I've connected the plugs in the right order & remove & clean the fuel rail & injectors, something I should have done a long time ago when I saw the state of the tank & fuel pump.
Will I ever learn?
When I tried to start Daysie the other day (sorry, I didn't film it), I noticed the temperature gauge jumping around like a kangaroo on springs. In my haste to get the front fairing & headlights on, I assumed that the many different connections were all different. Turns out I was wrong - the temp gauge & rev counter have exactly the same 4-pin connectors, the onbly two that ARE the same. Dumb a$$ me got them the wrong way around, but I had to remove the mirrors, front fairing & headlights to find out.
It still doesn't answer the question of why it wouldn't start though, so while I have it stripped down again, I'll remove the airbox, check I've connected the plugs in the right order & remove & clean the fuel rail & injectors, something I should have done a long time ago when I saw the state of the tank & fuel pump.
Will I ever learn?
#9
Other Triples / Re: Daysie's Diary
Last post by Lee337 - August 23, 2025, 10:47:56 AMI've been thinking, never a good thing with me, but with Daysie not starting, I've been looking at what rthe problem might be & realised that while I soent a lot of time cleaning out the fuel tank & replacing the fuel plate, pump and filter, I'd completely neglected the injectors.
I'm guessing that the're likely as gummed up as everything else related to the fuel system.
Oops!
Last night I removed the fuel tank again as I really need to clean the fuel rail and injectors, as well as checking I've got the coils connected in the correct firing order. This meansd I also need to remove the airbox, which in turn means I also need to remove the air hoses which connect to trhe nose cone.
And if I have to remove the nose cone, I can check the wiring going to the coolant temp gauge.
So, once again it's two steps forward, one step back.
Not that I'm too worried. I was looking back at some reference photos I took a couple of years ago and while the wiring harness behind the clocks fit, it's not anywhere close to as neat as it was originally. The same can be said for the loom around the battery & ECU. the loom is crammed in to a space which it originally wasn't.
While I've got the bodywork off I'll take the opportunity to re-route the loom as it originally was. This time, I'll take my laptop into the garage with me so I have the reference photos to hand as I go, rather than just guess & cram the loom into whatever space looks about right.
I could have saved myself a lot of time if only I'd done things more logically, but then where would the fun be in that, and it's not as if this is the first time I've taken an abandoned bike & resurrected it. You'd have though I'd have learned lessons with Tabitha Trophy. It appears I've forgotten most of them.
Looking back on the time and money I've spent on this project so far, I could have bought a good, running Daytona T595 & be enjoying the surrounding twisty roads...
oh!
I'm guessing that the're likely as gummed up as everything else related to the fuel system.
Oops!
Last night I removed the fuel tank again as I really need to clean the fuel rail and injectors, as well as checking I've got the coils connected in the correct firing order. This meansd I also need to remove the airbox, which in turn means I also need to remove the air hoses which connect to trhe nose cone.
And if I have to remove the nose cone, I can check the wiring going to the coolant temp gauge.
So, once again it's two steps forward, one step back.
Not that I'm too worried. I was looking back at some reference photos I took a couple of years ago and while the wiring harness behind the clocks fit, it's not anywhere close to as neat as it was originally. The same can be said for the loom around the battery & ECU. the loom is crammed in to a space which it originally wasn't.
While I've got the bodywork off I'll take the opportunity to re-route the loom as it originally was. This time, I'll take my laptop into the garage with me so I have the reference photos to hand as I go, rather than just guess & cram the loom into whatever space looks about right.
I could have saved myself a lot of time if only I'd done things more logically, but then where would the fun be in that, and it's not as if this is the first time I've taken an abandoned bike & resurrected it. You'd have though I'd have learned lessons with Tabitha Trophy. It appears I've forgotten most of them.
Looking back on the time and money I've spent on this project so far, I could have bought a good, running Daytona T595 & be enjoying the surrounding twisty roads...
oh!
#10
Other Triples / Re: Daysie's Diary
Last post by Lee337 - August 21, 2025, 10:30:27 AMPulled Daysie off the bench last night & put some fuel in the tank. I was only going to check that there were no leaks, which I don't think there is, but as I had the keys handy & the battery is fully charged, it'd be rude not to at least try.
So, with key in the ignition, I turned her on, all the dash lights did exactly what they were supposed to, the fuel pump whirred away. I switched the ignition off again when the sound of he fuel pump changed, not in a bad way but enough to indicate it was now full of fuel.
Switched the ignition on again and pulled the clutch in. Thumbed the starter & the engine turned over, then backfired.
Turned the ignition off, then back on again, more fuel pump whirring and thumbed the starter again. this time I noticed a vapour coming out of the exhaust just before it backfired again, but no start.
I figure one of two problems, either the injectors are blocked, unlikely as there was a strong smell of petrol, vapour coming out ot the exhaust & it backfired, or more likely, I reconnected the plug caps in the wrong order. Either way, I'll lift the tank off again at the weekend & take a look.
I'm also still concerned about how the temp gauge is acting when I turn the engine over. I've checked the wiring coming from the sender & that's OK and I'm pretty certain you can't mix up the connectors behind the dash. From memory, they can only be connected one way. Another thing to investigate at the weekend.
But still closer to that magical day when I can ride her for the first time.
So, with key in the ignition, I turned her on, all the dash lights did exactly what they were supposed to, the fuel pump whirred away. I switched the ignition off again when the sound of he fuel pump changed, not in a bad way but enough to indicate it was now full of fuel.
Switched the ignition on again and pulled the clutch in. Thumbed the starter & the engine turned over, then backfired.
Turned the ignition off, then back on again, more fuel pump whirring and thumbed the starter again. this time I noticed a vapour coming out of the exhaust just before it backfired again, but no start.
I figure one of two problems, either the injectors are blocked, unlikely as there was a strong smell of petrol, vapour coming out ot the exhaust & it backfired, or more likely, I reconnected the plug caps in the wrong order. Either way, I'll lift the tank off again at the weekend & take a look.
I'm also still concerned about how the temp gauge is acting when I turn the engine over. I've checked the wiring coming from the sender & that's OK and I'm pretty certain you can't mix up the connectors behind the dash. From memory, they can only be connected one way. Another thing to investigate at the weekend.
But still closer to that magical day when I can ride her for the first time.
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