Front brake: Mmmmm spongey

The Triple's front brake seems to be getting a bit spongey [1]. It's done
about 7500 miles now. So I'm wondering:
Is it likley that they were bled at the 6k service?
Is it likley that they need bleeding now, or
Do I need some braded hoses?

TIA
[1] Defintley not as sharp as they were, and if I keep pressure on, I can
get the lever to sink towards the bars quite a lot.....
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I've just had some braided hoses fitted to the ZZR and they are awesome.
Easily as good now as the servo assisted brakes on the BMW.

 

Would be better you getting spelling lessons, methinks...

;-)

Try the old cable tying the lever to grip thang overnight and see if it
helps.

 

Hmm, you're right. It's normally my typing that lets me down. IDR ever
using the word 'spongy' in anger.

Noted, ta.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Ta. Right now, cost is an issue, so I'd rather avoid spending if I don't
have to.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

First, make sure the fluid's topped up and isn't brown.

Second, I've never used the "tying the lever back" thang but it's a
well known trick and worth trying.

If all that fails, bleed the system.

Braided hoses definitely help

Oh, warped discs can cause sponginess, too, but you'd notice that!

 

Depends who the dealer/service-agent was and also whether or not a
brake-fluid change was scheduled.

Can't hurt and it's a 10 minute job on the Speed Triple.

<puzzled>
What year is yours? Mine came fitted with braided hoses front and rear,
anyway. It was a '99, S-plater.

Unless I've missed something, I assume the pads are ok? Mine would do a
set in about 8k miles, typically.

 

Catman wrote

No, why should they be?

At 7.5k not really. Almost brand new they are, shouldn't be anything
wrong with them for another 10k miles yet. But it does happen. A
mystery deep and dark is the mystery that is motorcycle hydraulic
systems.

First thing to do is the satisfying yourself there is no air in the
system. If, having done that, the brakes are still "spongy" then it
will be the hoses going soft.

Braided hoses *ROCK*, really they do.

 

Well, it's between the lines. Sort of golden pink. Same colour it's always
been AFAICT.

Thought they would, just curious as to why it's happening now, IYSWIM

I'd *really* hope so

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Don't think it is.

2003. They don't *look* braided, just like black rubber hoses.

Hmm. I think I'm quite a light rider (I get about 50 mpg out of it
</shame>) but I'll check. Why would that make them spongy, though?
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

20 months.
Looks like bleeding time. This is when I'm going to regret not washing it,
isn't it?
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Just wondered like.

Ahh. Black magic and arcane arts. Proper motorbiking

Heh. They are tempting.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Catman wrote

Be tempted. The one thing you will be supremely confident of forever
after is that 'it ain't the hoses' and they do improve the feedback from
braking no end.

 

I shall bleed, and check prices. Ta
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I'll assume the last word should have been "was"...

No, really. ICBW, but they're 4-pot Nissins with a Triumph logo on 'em,
right? Takes about ten minutes.

I'd be surprised if they weren't. Look closely; probably black placcy
coating over braided hoses.

 

Sounds silly, but check the pads. If they're severely worn, sometimes
you get the spongey effect. Yes, I know the brakes are supposedly
self-adjusting but sometimes it just happens.

 

Hmmm. Could be, although what I intended to say was to the effect that a
bleed of the brakes is not sceduled in a 6000 mile service. You got the
idea anyway.

I wasn't doubting you, just indicating that I understood. They do indeed
have the Triumph logo, but whether they are Nissins or not, I have no idea.

Will do. Ta again
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

It may possibly give that effect. If the pads are worn out the pistons
may be at their full extent of travel giving a vague and imprecise
feeling.

Check and replace them if they're still the originals then see what it's
like.

 

Check the pads first.

 

Ah, perhaps I should have read the whole thread but as TOG suggests this
would be my first port of call.