Yamaha TRX850 Enthusiasts Forum

I have finally decided to upgrade my brakes. I hunted down some silver spots on the other side of the world and I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. Braided lines- goes without saying... But what I have not decided on is a master cylinder. Clearly, from my many searches here on the site; a 14mm axial master is a huge improvement over the standard trx item in this application. Then the radial pumps are thrown into the mix. An R1/R6 later model 16mm radial gets a few mentions here but some seem to think there is too much brake lever travel with this combo? Has anyone found this to be true? 19x20 also seems a popular choice but seems to be the costliest of the lot. Is there an optimum size radial mc to match "spots", maybe from another make of bike?
I don't know which way to go here. Im thinking either stay with the tried and tested (and designed to work with 'spots') 14mm R1/R6 axial or the later model R1/R6 radial. Is the radial a huge step up from the 14mm and definitely worth it for a few extra dollars? Is the radial a bolt on swap or is there modification required? what about the brake switches are they the same plug ends? the more I look into this the less certain I am.

Any feedback or advice appreciated.

cheers,
Bane.

Stick to the Yamaha R1/6 standard M/C in either axial or radial, the choice is yours depending on availability and cost.
You`ll have never heard any R1 or 6 owners moaning about their brakes that`s for sure.

Oddly the best master cylinder for your brake calipers is the actual one that was used in conjunction,,,,funny the way that is....the 5/8 master CAN be used with blue, gold or silver spots but the extra fluid being worked exaggerates the feel and brakeing...i have changed over to the 14mm for my golds and report the lever feel to be more managable and less caliper to disc feedback on initial bite.
Also the best way to buy your brake upgrade is to buy the whole shebang ..that is , the master, rubber lines,resevoir,and calipers..you usually get a horn as its on the line brace as well...
Mongerel things to bleed though.
good luck

Reverse bleed them with a vacuum pump.

bane wrote:I have finally decided to upgrade my brakes. I hunted down some silver spots on the other side of the world and I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. Braided lines- goes without saying... But what I have not decided on is a master cylinder. Clearly, from my many searches here on the site; a 14mm axial master is a huge improvement over the standard trx item in this application. Then the radial pumps are thrown into the mix. An R1/R6 later model 16mm radial gets a few mentions here but some seem to think there is too much brake lever travel with this combo? Has anyone found this to be true? 19x20 also seems a popular choice but seems to be the costliest of the lot. Is there an optimum size radial mc to match "spots", maybe from another make of bike?
I don't know which way to go here. Im thinking either stay with the tried and tested (and designed to work with 'spots') 14mm R1/R6 axial or the later model R1/R6 radial. Is the radial a huge step up from the 14mm and definitely worth it for a few extra dollars? Is the radial a bolt on swap or is there modification required? what about the brake switches are they the same plug ends? the more I look into this the less certain I am.

Any feedback or advice appreciated.

cheers,
Bane.

G'day Bane, I'm running gold spots with the R1/R6 radial master cyclinder (Made by Brembo) & it's like a bought one! Mainly cos it is.

Silver/Gold/Blue spots all have the same piston size AFAIK, so you shouldn't have any problems.

No problems with the brake switch, the terminals might have been a little smaller on the M/C switch from memory, but works fine.

It's a BIG step up from stock TRX M/C & 'spot' calipers & lever travel is fine. You're welcome to try mine out if you want.

The M/C has a bleed nipple on it, which is a big help, reverse bleed, then bleed the M/C, I had pressure straight away, then bleed the calipers.

The other good thing with using the R1/R6 M/C is that you can get more A/M lever options.

Mincehead wrote:Stick to the Yamaha R1/6 standard M/C in either axial or radial, the choice is yours depending on availability and cost.
You`ll have never heard any R1 or 6 owners moaning about their brakes that`s for sure.

Thanks Mincehead, thats the way i was leaning but not sure which way to go, radial or axial. Is there a performance advantage to radial at all or is it just pose value?

alextrx850 wrote:Oddly the best master cylinder for your brake calipers is the actual one that was used in conjunction,,,,funny the way that is....the 5/8 master CAN be used with blue, gold or silver spots but the extra fluid being worked exaggerates the feel and brakeing...i have changed over to the 14mm for my golds and report the lever feel to be more managable and less caliper to disc feedback on initial bite.
Also the best way to buy your brake upgrade is to buy the whole shebang ..that is , the master, rubber lines,resevoir,and calipers..you usually get a horn as its on the line brace as well...
Mongerel things to bleed though.
good luck

I appreciate your reply alextrx850. By most accounts bleeding the 14mm/spots combo can be a pain. Is it worth going radial simply for the MC bleed screw? Plenty of blue spots around as a complete front brake system but the silvers proved to be a bit more elusive.

M.V. wrote:

bane wrote:I have finally decided to upgrade my brakes. I hunted down some silver spots on the other side of the world and I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. Braided lines- goes without saying... But what I have not decided on is a master cylinder. Clearly, from my many searches here on the site; a 14mm axial master is a huge improvement over the standard trx item in this application. Then the radial pumps are thrown into the mix. An R1/R6 later model 16mm radial gets a few mentions here but some seem to think there is too much brake lever travel with this combo? Has anyone found this to be true? 19x20 also seems a popular choice but seems to be the costliest of the lot. Is there an optimum size radial mc to match "spots", maybe from another make of bike?
I don't know which way to go here. Im thinking either stay with the tried and tested (and designed to work with 'spots') 14mm R1/R6 axial or the later model R1/R6 radial. Is the radial a huge step up from the 14mm and definitely worth it for a few extra dollars? Is the radial a bolt on swap or is there modification required? what about the brake switches are they the same plug ends? the more I look into this the less certain I am.

Any feedback or advice appreciated.

cheers,
Bane.

G'day Bane, I'm running gold spots with the R1/R6 radial master cyclinder (Made by Brembo) & it's like a bought one! Mainly cos it is.

Silver/Gold/Blue spots all have the same piston size AFAIK, so you shouldn't have any problems.

No problems with the brake switch, the terminals might have been a little smaller on the M/C switch from memory, but works fine.

It's a BIG step up from stock TRX M/C & 'spot' calipers & lever travel is fine. You're welcome to try mine out if you want.

The M/C has a bleed nipple on it, which is a big help, reverse bleed, then bleed the M/C, I had pressure straight away, then bleed the calipers.

The other good thing with using the R1/R6 M/C is that you can get more A/M lever options.

Hi M.V, good to hear that you radial MC is working well for you. Have you also tried the 14mm and able to give me a comparison between the two? Thanks for the offer to try yours out. Where in Melbourne town are you located? Im in the South East (Endevourhills)

I've only tried the stock TRX M/C, which was terrible, plenty of power but no feel, & rock hard lever.

I'm west, Altona North.

the R1 Radial M/C can be had for about $200 inc shipping from the states, brand new from Partshark, it's pretty good value actually.

I picked up a brand new 14mm OEM YAMAHA to suit for $65 from the U.K. Shop around as its getting close for end of financial year sales as everyone tries to get rid of stock...

Thanks for the input blokes!

Is there anyone that has had both and can give me a direct comparison of the R1/R6 14mm and the R1/R6 radial MC's?

bane.

A much belated follow up on this post for the sake of others who may be considering this upgrade.
I went with the r1/r6 radial master cylinder and venhill braided lines and couldn't be happier with the
result. As mentioned many times before, feel and braking is hugely improved. At the time my concern
about the Yamaha radial master was too much lever travel as reported by someone here. I found this
not to be the case at all. Bleeding is a breeze as you can bleed from both ends. You can also save
a few $$ and use your trx brake light switch as they have the same part number.

cheers,
Bane.