Triumph Master Cylinder

Previously keith_owen wrote:

I have unfortunately upon inspection discovered that the master cylinder on my Mk2 Commando is unserviceable due to it at some stage having filled with water and rusted.

Les at Norvil suggests that the Triumph Bonneville master cylinder is an improvement over the Norton Lockheed that I have and that needs replacing.

It is certainly cheaper but of course not original. apart from price is the difference that noticeable, particularly if used with the original calliper?

My bike has not been taxed since 1993 and will need a lot of investment to make it road worthy, so, although upgraded brakes would be nice eventually, I need to concentrate on getting the bike on the road first, before buying upgrades. Can anyone offer some thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Keith

If the bore is rusted then have it sleeved to 13mm or 1/2", this will give you a fresh bore and also improve the brake by altering the ratio to a more modern and effective one taking away the wooden feel. RGM do this or you can buy one from Madass on AccessNorton forum which is glued into the bore and comes with seals piston etc.

http://www.tritonmotorcycleparts.com/297620485/product/515649/norton-brakes?catid=146825

I have used 2 and they work very well.

Previously keith_owen wrote:

I have unfortunately upon inspection discovered that the master cylinder on my Mk2 Commando is unserviceable due to it at some stage having filled with water and rusted.

Les at Norvil suggests that the Triumph Bonneville master cylinder is an improvement over the Norton Lockheed that I have and that needs replacing.

It is certainly cheaper but of course not original. apart from price is the difference that noticeable, particularly if used with the original calliper?

My bike has not been taxed since 1993 and will need a lot of investment to make it road worthy, so, although upgraded brakes would be nice eventually, I need to concentrate on getting the bike on the road first, before buying upgrades. Can anyone offer some thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Keith

keith.

if your not bothered about using a none standard master cylinder you can get a upgraded modern one from rgm and others.

i used one of a modern hinkley triumph from a breakers yard a quarter price of a new copy and it works. i,ve been down the resleeving road

with little improvement

i,ve found the problem is the master cyl not the caliper.

Hi, I've had a Triumph master cylinder on my 850 for about 10 years now and have been very pleased with it. However I did fit a stainless steel reduced size master cylinder that I bought from a dealer in the USA while I was over there - ken Arman www.kenarman.com . Also I do have a lockheed caliper and a single 14" disc that I bought from Les at Norvil, but it would probably work virtually as well with a 13" or 12" disc.The master cylinderdoes fit very neatly onto MK3 switch gear.

I find it works really well, lots of feel and powerful enough to squeal the front tyre without having tosqueeze the lever with agorilla grip. I find it's virtually as good as a modern brake set up, I haveit to bea realsafety aidas I ride classics and modern bikes and it is quite a risk if you suddenly over brake in an emergency and lock up the front wheel on your modern bike (which I have done twice)because you've been used to riding with woodenclassic brakes.

Bob

If replacing then Andover now have the std master cylinder made with 13mm bore - no sleeving needed.

Previously keith_owen wrote:

I have unfortunately upon inspection discovered that the master cylinder on my Mk2 Commando is unserviceable due to it at some stage having filled with water and rusted.

Les at Norvil suggests that the Triumph Bonneville master cylinder is an improvement over the Norton Lockheed that I have and that needs replacing.

It is certainly cheaper but of course not original. apart from price is the difference that noticeable, particularly if used with the original calliper?

My bike has not been taxed since 1993 and will need a lot of investment to make it road worthy, so, although upgraded brakes would be nice eventually, I need to concentrate on getting the bike on the road first, before buying upgrades. Can anyone offer some thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Keith

I have been there and ended up doing a complete rebuild, with a big bill and its not all original. I have used Jap bits off of ebay, they worked out cheaper and better but do not look original.

So my advise is do a complete examination of the bike, decide what it needs and what it is going to cost.

Mine started out as a runner that just needed the brakes upgrading. EBC brake pads made the biggest difference to feel.

Hi Again, The RGM mod is very good andis a good improvement feel wise over the original,I have it on my 750fastback. However unless you really,reallyknow what you are doing I would get RGM to do the mod rather than try to fit it yourself.I have a friend who thought he could fit the kit himself and ended up ruining a perfectly good master cylinder and of course RGM (quite reasonably) will only guarantee their own work.

Bob

I did the reduction kit many years ago. I really do not understand why people use other master cylinders as this is brilliant, especially when used with EBC or Vezrah pads with the added benefit that it does not look ugly. I hope you will agree. Enjoy!