Vintage Tiger 2006 Tiger 955i - front brakes renovation - part 1 of bike re-furb.

Hi all, as part of an on-going refurb of my new-to-me bike I'm going through the machine from front to back.

This is what I've done up to now:

1. Engine oil and filter change - used Mobile 10-40 special Triumph and an HF-204 filter;

2. Examined drive chain - dry as a bone plus worn front sprocket. Cleaned and lubed chain, purchased and installed a 19T (std is 18T) front sprocket; adjusted tension and we're good to go !

3. 2 days ago I renovated the front brakes completely. Starting with a strip and clean of the calipers, new Nissin copper pads, reassemble. Then bleed the brakes using the '10 pump' method which worked perfectly. The lever has almost no travel, no sponginess. The brakes work progressively and powerfully.

How to:
Preparation: Jamjar 30% full of clean dot4 brake fluid; remove master cylinder lid, suck out old brake fluid (turkey baster or similar); top up with clean new fluid; crack off bleed nipple; affix clear plastic tube to bleed nipple and put other end in jamjar.
Tools required: 10mm open spanner; plenty of fresh dot4 fluid.

When everything is set-up, and with the bleed nipple closed, pump the front brake lever firmly 10 times and on the 10th hold the lever firmly to the 'bar. Now open the bleed nipple - the lever will go back to the 'bar; now close the bleed nipple and release the brake lever. Keep an eye on the level of the fluid in the master cylinder. Repeat process until new, clean fluid comes through with no bubbles.

Now do the same to the other caliper.



Next job is to install a Loobman chain oiler .......................................................................

 

Yes mate I am - the Loobman AB Dynamic. £17.95 of plumbery sitting on my coffee table as we speak.

It looks as though once it's installed and set up, you press the button for 5 or so seconds which progressively releases a measured amount of oil on both sides of the rear sprocket (like that idea alot) as you ride.

Now obviously it's not automatic like a Scottoiler, but there's no connection with vacuum take-off's and does both sides of the chain as std. Plus it's 18 squid rather than £100 for Scotty. So I thought I would give it a go. Interestingly, Loobman recommend using engine oil - 10/40 - rather than a bespoke chain oil. Well we've all got a drop of 10-40 around the place haven't we?

 

Hello Flay, well tbh until it's installed onto the bike I'm not sure what to say about its robustness, I think if I install it carefully and correctly it should stay in position as good as a Scottoiler though? In addition to the normal zip ties in various sizes they now supply 3M sticky pads to locate everything pretty securely.

 

Well the Loobman is installed !!!!! Not a straightforward install I have to say (the included instructions were a bit pants imho), but it appears to work and delivers measured amounts of oil to both sides of the chain. Time will tell.

Right I'm off out for a ride.

 

Well I've done a few rides now with the Loobman operating and my chain has never looked so clean and well lubed plus any surplus oil on the back wheel was very easy to wash off with std. car wash shampoo.

All seems very good up to now.