Newbie & Bluespots

[Commando]

hey guys,

Bought my TRX last year off a friend here in Oz. Always wanted one but they weren't available in Canada.
My Sumimoto calipers are pretty much shot, 3 out of the 8 pistons were seized, I've replaced the seals and cleaned them up and now I've just noticed another seal squeezing out of the cylinder. They're not bleeding and I'm over it. Instead of throwing more money at them I want to just bite the bullet and get a set of Bluespots. I know that the Thundercat/Ace/R1 & R6 calipers fit. To make an easy search, I'll stick with finding a set from an R1 or R6 as they're more common. I know the 98-00 R1's bolt on, but what year R6? Or are ALL bluespots the same mounting? I'll do my best to find a complete setup, calipers, lines & m/cyl and then eventually get my Goodridge lines modified to fit the new calipers.
Thanks for all your help eh.

[schmiffee]

Hey Commando,

Yeah all the blue-spots are the same and should be a direct bolt-on. Also I think some silver-spots can be bolted straight on also. If you are interested, I have a couple of sets of SUMIMOTOS if you want. I also have a set of blue-spots (not lines or master cylinder though)...PM me if you are interested - assuming you are Australia/NZ based otherwise it would probably be cheaper to purchase near you.

Schmiffee

[Mincehead]

ALL the monobloc, (one piece) Yamaha calipers, blue, silver and gold `spots` will fit, obviously not the later radial versions though

[trixynut]

......BUT some of the bluespots have the brake line feed on the top and some have it on the side (cant remember which are which though but think R1 and R6 have side and Chunderace/cat have top?) so bear this in mind when getting braided lines as the std TRX braided kits have an angled banjo bolt for the caliper end whereas with the side connection calipers, a straight connection is needed. Likewise, dont think a straignt commection will fit on the top-connecting bluespots?

Does any of that make sense??

Look at Killerwales TRX of the month pic: those are R1 side connection calipers...

[Mincehead]

You`re right it`s Thundercat ones that have the link pipe if I remember correctly, maybe older models too as I`ve seen them without the rigid link pipe.
In fact here`s one:

http://www.gallagher.com/yamaha/yamaha_ ... dercat.jpg

As for brake lines, just make your own up from component parts, they`re just compression fittings after all.
Don`t be spun out about the fear that`s often banded about by the misinformers to secure more profits, I can tell you that a leaking brake pipe, whether a flexible hose or a rigid hose will soon show.
A piece of tissue held around a compression fitting or at a banjo/washer point will show even the tiniest of fluid leaks when a brake pedal or lever is held on with pressure.
Another tip to stop any air being pulled back into a system at the bleeding stage is to use PTFE tape around the bleed nipple threads, it can simply stay as it`ll also help to stop the corrosion always likely anywhere brake fluid is present.
Brake fluid, being hygroscopic, attracts moisture.

[Commando]

Thanks again for the responses guys. I know it's been covered several times here but I couldn't find a clear answer on the years and such. Knowing that any bluespot (I'll stick with these to keep the search simple) will fit is great. The banjo fitting is not such an issue. To stick with the budget at the moment I'm gonna try to find a set with the lines. I've already got the Goodridges on my TRX and it's easy to swap the fitting at the end when I save up some more cash.
One more question though, is it essential to use the R6/R1 m/cyl with the bluespots? Can I run the stock Nissin 5/8 m/cyl or is this a bad idea? If it's good but not great, I can always get the correct m/cyl at a later date, as I've said, I'm trying to get her back on the road with a budget. I wanna just get through this season cheap but functional, the TRX is supposed to be my reliable road bike that's alwasy ready for a ride when I can squeeze the time. The stresses of having more than one bike & project at a time dammit.

[Mincehead]

Well, there`s quite a few members who say they get a `wooden` feel to the brakes if they use the 5/8 (16mm thereabouts) TRX M/C.
Personally I would try fitting the Bluespots and see how you get on with it first.
By the way if you`re after a pair of Sumitomo Bluespots I do have a pair for sale, with pins, clips etc and if I remember correctly a little left on the pads too.
Commando, Norton or green beret man?

[lenny]

[

As for brake lines, just make your own up from component parts, they`re just compression fittings after all.
Don`t be spun out about the fear that`s often banded about by the misinformers to secure more profits, I can tell you that a leaking brake pipe, whether a flexible hose or a rigid hose will soon show.
A piece of tissue held around a compression fitting or at a banjo/washer point will show even the tiniest of fluid leaks when a brake pedal or lever is held on with pressure.

Wicked sense of humour, or are you for real?

[Mincehead]

Joking, moi?
Nope, how do you think they are made?
Kits have ALWAYS been available, they are seeing quite a comeback nowadays too and many bike stores stock the component parts.
I`ve been making brake lines since my early days as an apprentice back in the late 70`s, never experienced any problems and likely never will.
Fearful folk are easily sold the unnecessary.

http://www.goodridge.co.uk/fittings-accessories.htm

http://www.venhill.co.uk/Brake_&_Clutch ... /POWERHOSE

[Kayla]

I bought the components (Goodridge branded) in kit form from a local shop and made my own- no problem! It's loads less hassle than dealing with someone over the phone.

[phuk72]

I bought the components (Goodridge branded) in kit form from a local shop and made my own- no problem! It's loads less hassle than dealing with someone over the phone.

Yep - all my hoses have been made up from kits

[Mincehead]

Indeed Kayla and Phuk, If they`re good enough for race and drag teams they`re not going to cause problems on road bikes now are they?

[lenny]

Ive been an aircraft engineer for 30 years and made more hoses than you can poke a stick at. Ive also seen perfectly good looking hoses blow out on the proof rig. Making your own hoses is fine if your carefull, but not getting them proof tested is just silly. They are not road legal for a reason (maybe its those misinformed money grubbers).

[Mincehead]

But Lenny, real world conditions are not test conditions.Pressure testing of lines and vessels is of course VERY necessary for commercial aircraft or for virtually all passenger carrying forms of transport.It`s an exercise of litigation limitation in it`s purest form.
But you can only apply the pressure your master cylinder is capable of delivering, beyond having a grip like the incredible hulk or reflexes that defy science I see no way that you`ll apply destructive pressure to a braided brake line on a motorcycle.
I`m not scared of my engineering abilities letting me down and it would appear there`s plenty of others who feel exactly the same.
No manufacturer would market kits that don`t sell, it`s commercial suicide!
Now, I`ll happily accept that ANY damage, bad routing, even kinking may affect the safety of a brake line but those things also apply to lines made and marketed by the same well known makers of type specific hoses.
I stand by my original feelings, kit form brake lines are perfectly safe if made following the manufacturers instructions.
Having been intrigued by your statement about legality I`ve found this:

http://braidedhoses.com.au/

As far as I`m aware no such or similar regulation covers their use in the UK, I will look for one though.
I do know that the pressures generated by even the latest radial M/C`s are only around 30 psi so very low when you consider the factory tested braided hoses are DOT and TUV tested to around 1500 psi /110 bar here in the UK.
Ahaaaa:

http://www.venhill.co.uk/FAQ

If there were insurances issues I`m certain a company as old and established as Venhills would mention it.

[lenny]

Do you factory test every brake and clutch line that you make?
Yes, every hose we make is pressure tested to 1500psi and every 30 days we also test lines at random to 10,000psi. Most motorcycle and car brakes systems operate at around 25-30psi, even under hard braking

25-30 psi? Do you really believe that. Your garden hose runs at a higher pressure. And this coming from someone who accuses others of being misinformed. Proof testing at high pressure serves two functions. One of course is to prove the the hose is assembled correctly and of proper materials. The other is to complete the extrusion process of the fitting and "set" the fitting .It is part of the hose making process. I know all over the world people run these hoses without proof testing with no problem, but that doesn't make it smart.