61 replies to this topic

[Jez]

This may bore some people but I cannot find a post about these calipers in this forum. Dunno about the old forum - before my TDM time. I know this subject is getting old in some circles but please remember I am a Carpe noob.

I have managed to procure for myself a pair of Thunderace calipers from ebay for £10.50 . I particularly like the fact that the 'Ace calipers have the union bolt the 'right way round' thus avoiding the need to twist the hose as you would for R1 calipers (bet I've got that wrong and will be deluged by replies demonstrating my ingorance ).

My question is this: Will I need to change the master cylinder on my '96 850 or not? I have been told that it will be necessary to fit one from a Fazer 1000, XJR13 or TDM900. I have also read that these calipers will go straight on. Which is true?

As this is my only bike and I enjoy using it all the time I would rather not fit the calipers and then have to wait while I get hold of a master cylinder. That would mean I would have to use my car which would get very boring very quickly.

Please help to keep my boredom levels within a tolerable range.

[Hawmaw]

Hi Jez,

I've also got a set of Thundercat blue spots off ebay , but I paid £30. I think you got a bargain.
From what I can remember from the various threads from the old forum, which I think you can still
look at,they fit straight on,but I might be mistaken. I haven't fitted mine yet.

I don't know what others think, but in my humble opinion the standard calipers are pretty good.
I stood the bike on its nose the other day when an ersehole in a van pulled out on me.

Maybe it's cause the brakes on my previous bike , 1986 GSXR750 , were awful.

[dapleb]

Yes I'd like to know what types of Blue Spots fit as there was a grt big box of the bassads at BMF show but I wasnt sure which models would fit and which wouldnae.

[dandywarhol]

All blue spots fit and you can use your original master Jez

[Dazzo]

All blue spots fit and you can use your original master Jez

That's the way mine went on anyway

[stu]

All blue spots fit and you can use your original master Jez

However, fitting the m/cyl which goes with them apparently gives more 'feel'. Didn't we establish it was a smaller bore?


(Nothing personal Alan )










Ahh, '86 Gixxers....

[wicklamulla]

However, fitting the m/cyl which goes with them apparently gives more 'feel'. Didn't we establish it was a smaller bore?
(Nothing personal Alan )
Ahh, '86 Gixxers....

still noice aint they Stu

[ROB1]

Yes I'd like to know what types of Blue Spots fit as there was a grt big box of the bassads at BMF show but I wasnt sure which models would fit and which wouldnae.

how much were they asking for a pair?

[dandywarhol]

However, fitting the m/cyl which goes with them apparently gives more 'feel'. Didn't we establish it was a smaller bore?
(Nothing personal Alan )
Ahh, '86 Gixxers....

The smaller bore master cylinder gives more "feel" and longer travel and......even more powerful brakes.
I found the standard 850 m/c was more than up to the job..........

[dapleb]

Sorry Rob I didnae ask. But there was a fair sized storage box brimmed with them with the make/model tagged on each set. I will know better for next time.

how much were they asking for a pair?

[stu]

The smaller bore master cylinder gives more "feel" and longer travel and......even more powerful brakes.
I found the standard 850 m/c was more than up to the job..........

Aye, but was there not a problem with the light switch not working cos the travel of the lever was less??










('Small Bore' reference was obviously lost on you, wee man )

[ROB1]

Hi Jez,

I've also got a set of Thundercat blue spots off ebay , but I paid £30. I think you got a bargain.
From what I can remember from the various threads from the old forum, which I think you can still
look at,they fit straight on,but I might be mistaken. I haven't fitted mine yet.

I don't know what others think, but in my humble opinion the standard calipers are pretty good.
I stood the bike on its nose the other day when an ersehole in a van pulled out on me.

Maybe it's cause the brakes on my previous bike , 1986 GSXR750 , were awful.

i think putting brand new superior calipers & new pads would make anyones brakes feel far better.i also dont think the o/e calipers are that bad but if blue spots brand new are maybe as cheap as £50 you cant even rebuild for that kind of money.

[wicklamulla]

i think putting brand new superior calipers & new pads would make anyones brakes feel far better.i also dont think the o/e calipers are that bad but if blue spots brand new are maybe as cheap as £50 you cant even rebuild for that kind of money.

Rob i don't think they are new, but probably secondhand. i bought mine secondhand but from a good lad that reconditioned em fer me.


Stu s'funny ya shud mention that as i didn't initially have that brakeloight switch problem till earlier this year when i had new pads fitted, never a problem b4 that though. now i just ignore it

[dandywarhol]

Aye, but was there not a problem with the light switch not working cos the travel of the lever was less??
('Small Bore' reference was obviously lost on you, wee man )

I didn't have any brake light probs stu........even with braided hoses fitted.....must've been a worn switch someone had.

I chose to ignore your trivial comment on bore Stu....for fear of getting paranoid by all of your caustic comments towards me every time you post or even every time you think of me in your deepest and most esoteric dreams.

[Jez]

i think putting brand new superior calipers & new pads would make anyones brakes feel far better.i also dont think the o/e calipers are that bad but if blue spots brand new are maybe as cheap as £50 you cant even rebuild for that kind of money.

Brand new Blue Spots are available on ebay for £125 each . Second hand prices vary of course.

Edited by Jez, 21 June 2006 - 06:36 pm.

[stu]

I didn't have any brake light probs stu........even with braided hoses fitted.....must've been a worn switch someone had.

I chose to ignore your trivial comment on bore Stu....for fear of getting paranoid by all of your caustic comments towards me every time you post or even every time you think of me in your deepest and most esoteric dreams.

You playing hard to get ?

[tdm850rider]

Rob i don't think they are new, but probably secondhand. i bought mine secondhand but from a good lad that reconditioned em fer me.
Stu s'funny ya shud mention that as i didn't initially have that brakeloight switch problem till earlier this year when i had new pads fitted, never a problem b4 that though. now i just ignore it

New pads need less lever travel, once they wear down you will have the brake light again. Or you could change the m/c..

[dandywarhol]

New pads need less lever travel, once they wear down you will have the brake light again. Or you could change the m/c..

That's bollox Thomas........the pad wear self compensates and the lever travel doesn't alter unless the master cylinder return hole is blocked!

[tdm850rider]

That's bollox Thomas........the pad wear self compensates and the lever travel doesn't alter unless the master cylinder return hole is blocked!

They self compensate? Never knew that. Carpe-TDM 'The font of all TDM knowledge'

TY for the corrected info... In theory is sounded good no?