ABS for bikes

[slow mo]

hi all ! has anyone ckecked out the tcb banjo bolt device for brakes? its supposed to enable you to decrease stopping distance,s without locking up the front brake.. all replys welcome i,m thinking of installing it on my bike to test it out! slow mo!!

[fredintoon]

Hi Slo mo,
these things, right?
http://www.tractioncontrolsystems.com/shop/cat_1_0.html
Well, the blurb reads like a pure snake oil sales pitch but what do I know?
OK, $79 each seems a total deal if the thing actually works but you'd have to buy two of them just for the front brake.
Or three to do the back brake as well.
Let us know if they work, eh?

[cajun31]

Your question caused me to want to resarch this. I found a very interesting thread on another forum concerning these. If I read the thread correctly the jury is still out on how effective these devices really are. I would lean toward saying that messing with the original design of the brake system may not exactly be what you need to do. From this particular thread and riders experience it appears that even with these on it is still possible to lock up the brake system depending on how hard you have to get on the brakes in a given situation. It appears that practice is the only real alternative to locking up your brakes. Anyway with all that said here is the thread that I am talkng about. You can decide for yourself.

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/mo...ke-device.html

[slow mo]

hey fred and cajun

Hi Slo mo,
these things, right?
http://www.tractioncontrolsystems.com/shop/cat_1_0.html
Well, the blurb reads like a pure snake oil sales pitch but what do I know?
OK, $79 each seems a total deal if the thing actually works but you'd have to buy two of them just for the front brake.
Or three to do the back brake as well.
Let us know if they work, eh?

it,s true you require 2 just for the front.my whole thought was anything that makes my ride safer is worthwhile exploring anyway i will let the forum know how or if i followed up!! fight the good fight lads !! slow mo

[slow mo]

thanks fred and cajun

Hi Slo mo,
these things, right?
http://www.tractioncontrolsystems.com/shop/cat_1_0.html
Well, the blurb reads like a pure snake oil sales pitch but what do I know?
OK, $79 each seems a total deal if the thing actually works but you'd have to buy two of them just for the front brake.
Or three to do the back brake as well.
Let us know if they work, eh?

its true you would need 2 units just for the front brakes please click on both links provided by fred and cajun lots of info there..i keep the forum informed of my choice to persue or withdraw from this venture;; thanks all ,,,slow mo!

[Ivan]

Well, here are my thoughts

If there were high and low spots in the rotor, your hand would hurt every time you hit the brake. If you can't feel it, the rotor is probably flat enough to not have a lock up point.

The device just looks like a hydraulic accumulator. Hydraulic accumulators are used to "smooth" out the flow from the pump. Most pumps have a pulse to them and some instruments and hardware can't handle the shock load from the pulsing of the pump when under load. I am guessing this device has a piston with a spring behind it and when the brakes are applied, it has to be filled before the calipers bite down. Yes it would smooth the application of the brakes, but would take more deflection of the handle to get the pressure.

Now, if you still have the rubber lines on your bike, as I do, then you already have the same device. Even the bulging of the brake lines acts in a similar manner. If it is desired to eliminate this by using stainless steel hydraulic lines, why would you want to undo, or make worse the problem with the bike.

Last thought:

Contributory Negligence. You get hurt, and the insurance company sees those on the bike, and they aren't going to pay squat. I noticed the website says nothing about any certifications or endorsements of any kind. Thus, and improperly modified brake system is asking for your insurance agent to laugh while you wince in pain. That's Allstate's, stand. What's yours?

[cajun31]

Good info Ivan. I wholeheartedly agree. By the way from reading up on these it seems that you can replace the banjo at the master cylinder and that would alleviate having to purchase two for the the front calipers. Another thing to keep in mind on the 81 specials is the fact that the front and back brakes are already balanced by yamaha and messing with that may have dire consequences.

[Yahman]

Old idea, new application...

Things like those were available for cars before ABS brakes were invented. Never tried them but did pick one up at a garage sale many years ago, just to take it apart and see what made it tick. Inside was a rubber piston the only spring was a pocket of air. Air has a high rate of compression compared to most springs. It has been used for a long time in air-brake systems on trucks. Might work and be of some use... But IMHO it would probably feel like you needed to bleed the brakes.

If someone tries one of them, please give us a report. I for one would be interested in the results.

Larry

[DGXSER]

Speaking of SS brake lines, what is the best source for those?

[MaximPhil]

Slo Mo,
I thought about this fr a few minutes. Let us know which hospital you end up in and i will arrange a ride to come and visit IMHO
Phil

[oldyam80sg]

This might be a whole different thing but years ago i purchased a Kawasaki that had ABS brakes on them.I thought that they would be good in case of panic stops since i drive in congested areas alot.The dealership offered me 30 days to try the bike out,if i was not satisfied they would give me my money back or use it to purchase another bike.Had a contract stating so.I had the bike for 5 days and absolutely hated it.Went back to the dealership and got my money back without purchasing another bike.(I wanted a GPZ 1100)ABS and bikes in my opinion don't make any sense.Also why would you want to update something that old like our system?

[slow mo]

gee thanks for the good wishes

Slo Mo,
I thought about this fr a few minutes. Let us know which hospital you end up in and i will arrange a ride to come and visit IMHO
Phil

its always nice to know that fellow members wish you well!!!!!!!! last post

[cajun31]

SlowMo,

No harm intended. That is what this forum is about. Everyone has their opinion and nothing said is meant to harm anyone. What MaximPhil stated is simply his way of saying don't mess with the breaks on these 30 year old bikes. I believe I have already stated that as well. The best thing to do is to learn how to use what is there. Practice makes perfect. I have been riding since I was 16, 36 years now and have never had the mishap of locking the brakes up occur. I am not saying that it can still not happen. We face that everyday. I will say that I give the cages the respect they deserve, because in a wreck involving one of them and a two wheel vehicle they win everytime. Ride like you expect the unexpected. With the congestion on the road today as compared to when I first started riding it is good practice to give the cages the right of way and live to ride another day.