Looking to get better front brakes for my Triarm:

Have already service both calipers & added braided lines, now looking at replacing the master cylinder - I remember the NC30 one being 2mm bigger? Would a master cylinder & lever from say, a CBR600RR/CBR1000RR be overkill?

Your thoughts...

fitting a larger m/c does not give you better brakes.

The size of the m/c is related directly to the calipers and if you fit a larger than stock m/c you will get squidgy brakes and the lever will come to the bar - they will be powerful..but no feel.

I am sure Graeme France has no worries when he uses std NC23 brakes on the race bikes so see what he suggests. I bet he can sell you some pads that are awesome...

Have you got good pads?

has anyone fitted a master cylinder from a 600 does the hose fit as im doing a cbr600rr7 lookalike its all fitted just have some little probs to sort out, one is the brake reservoir hits the top fairing so was going to change it for a 600, no big reservoir. many thanks jason

Pads are Goldfren - they work, dont get me wrong, but I rode a new Ducati yesterday and now know there can be much better brakes in this day & age than what I have got...

Not expecting to have one-finger stoppies either, lol

Maybe a swap with NC30 fork lowers, master cylinder & calipers?


Will complete NC30 fork legs drop in or will they be too long/short on the stanchions?

I've just fitted a fireblade master cylinder to mine, I cant say it feels any better, which in all honesty is pretty good anyway. I bought NC30 lowers and calipers for mine which I (on reflection and riding at Mallory on Saturday) won't be fitting to mine. If you want them p.m. me and I'll think of a number (i.e. what I paid)
Cheers,
Mike

CMSMJ1 wrote:fitting a larger m/c does not give you better brakes.

The size of the m/c is related directly to the calipers and if you fit a larger than stock m/c you will get squidgy brakes and the lever will come to the bar - they will be powerful..but no feel.

I am sure Graeme France has no worries when he uses std NC23 brakes on the race bikes so see what he suggests. I bet he can sell you some pads that are awesome...

Have you got good pads?

This is right in theory but the wrong way around.
If you fit a bigger m/c you will get rock-hard lever feel, have to use mole-grips to pull the brake on, as your mechanical advantage is reduced, and you have less "leverage" over the calipers. You will get a perfect-feeling rock-hard lever which is great until you ride the bike.

If you fit a smaller m/c you will get exactly the symptoms CMSMJ1 describes.

jaypottsey wrote:has anyone fitted a master cylinder from a 600 does the hose fit as im doing a cbr600rr7 lookalike its all fitted just have some little probs to sort out, one is the brake reservoir hits the top fairing so was going to change it for a 600, no big reservoir. many thanks jason

The CBR600RR 03/04 uses an 11/16" master cylinder. This will be atrocious on your original calipers (see above).

What you need is the 1/2" integrated reservoir master cylinder from e.g. Blackbird, VFR800. These also have a nice ball joint where the lever presses the piston, so reduced friction/stiction and better braking. Older-tech 1/2" master cylinders can be had from e.g. the 650 Revere and early CBR600s (F1/F2).

veefer400 wrote:Pads are Goldfren - they work, dont get me wrong, but I rode a new Ducati yesterday and now know there can be much better brakes in this day & age than what I have got...

Not expecting to have one-finger stoppies either, lol

Maybe a swap with NC30 fork lowers, master cylinder & calipers?


Will complete NC30 fork legs drop in or will they be too long/short on the stanchions?

If you are going to get involved in swapping fork legs, get Firestorm fork legs and fit Firestorm calipers, or take a file to them and remove a tiny bit of metal to fit CBR929/954/600RR3 calipers. Always use the matching master cylinder!

blueflag wrote:I've just fitted a fireblade master cylinder to mine, I cant say it feels any better, which in all honesty is pretty good anyway. I bought NC30 lowers and calipers for mine which I (on reflection and riding at Mallory on Saturday) won't be fitting to mine. If you want them p.m. me and I'll think of a number (i.e. what I paid)
Cheers,
Mike

The fireblade master cylinder (92-97) was 14mm, which is bigger than the original 1/2", and so is not correctly suited to your calipers. If you really rode back-to-back, you would easily spot that by upping the m/c size, you have made the lever harder and less responsive. Or, given it more bite and removed squidginess, depending on your POV

amorti wrote:

CMSMJ1 wrote:fitting a larger m/c does not give you better brakes.

The size of the m/c is related directly to the calipers and if you fit a larger than stock m/c you will get squidgy brakes and the lever will come to the bar - they will be powerful..but no feel.

I am sure Graeme France has no worries when he uses std NC23 brakes on the race bikes so see what he suggests. I bet he can sell you some pads that are awesome...

Have you got good pads?

This is right in theory but the wrong way around.
If you fit a bigger m/c you will get rock-hard lever feel, have to use mole-grips to pull the brake on, as your mechanical advantage is reduced, and you have less "leverage" over the calipers. You will get a perfect-feeling rock-hard lever which is great until you ride the bike.

If you fit a smaller m/c you will get exactly the symptoms CMSMJ1 describes.

Cheers dude - I knew I had a 50/50 of getting it arse about face!!

Bottom line, fit the right kit!