Triumph Sprint ST 955i Restoration Project. Vid 3d: Brakes - Front Master Cylinder Overhaul

I know many bikers can relate to the deep nostalgia I feel for classic sport-tourers—machines that had character, soul, and a perfect blend of performance and comfort. For me, the Triumph Sprint ST 955i from the early 2000s is one of the finest examples of this golden era. Maybe you have your own bike that sparks this feeling, but this one? This one does it for me. I was lucky enough to find this 2001 Sprint ST for sale in Brisbane in late 2024. It had seen better days, but under the wear and tear, I saw something worth bringing back to life. This latest video continues my restoration work on one of the most critical systems on any motorcycle—the brakes. A properly functioning braking system can mean the difference between life and death on the road. This Sprint ST hails from the pre-ABS era, relying on dual hydraulic discs up front and a single disc at the rear—fully independent of each other. The front brake master cylinder is vital for safe and reliable braking performance, particularly in a twin hydraulic front disc braking system. It controls the hydraulic pressure to the brake calipers, ensuring consistent braking power. A faulty master cylinder with dodgy seals can result in poor braking response, longer stopping distances, and increased risk of accidents, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and functionality. One of the things I am particularly conscious of with a 25 year old bike like this one, is that rubber components (like the master cylinder and caliper seals) may be significantly compromised, or even on the verge of failure. It's impossible to know, without knowing anything of the bike's previous service history (which I don't!). So I regard it as an essential undertaking in my circumstances to conduct a full overhaul of both brake master cylinders (front and rear) and all brake system calipers. In this video, I remove and totally overhaul the front brake master cylinder, replacing all seals and boots using an overhaul kit by TRK Braking from the UK. You may already have seen my video on my overhaul of both the front and rear calipers, and still to come in this series are the following videos: Rear Master Cylinder overhaul New brake lines & full system bleed. If you're planning or in the middle of a similar project, I hope you’ll find these videos helpful. And if you’ve tackled this before, I'd love to hear your tips, experiences, and any suggestions in the comments! My ultimate goal? To bring this Sprint ST as close as possible to how it looked and rode when it first rolled off the Hinckley production line in 2001. A lofty ambition, I know—but that’s the dream! Wish me luck, and if you're into classic sport-tourers and hands-on motorcycle restoration, hit subscribe and join me for the ride. Apologies for the long video, but I think its important to cover all aspects in detail, and the chapters below can help you short-cut this and jump straight to what interests you.... Chapters in this video on the Front Brake Master Cylinder of the braking system: 0:00 Introduction 2:30 Remove front master cylinder (MC) and fluid reservoir from the bike 6:05 Bench disassembly of MC and condition assessment of components 12:26 Cleaning 17:17 Installation of new seals, spring, etc., and reassembly of overhauled MC 24:36 Reinstallation of overhauled MC onto bike 28:50 Checking performance 29:34 Summary and conclusions #motorcycle #bikelife #triumphbikes #triumphsprintST955i #workshop #motorcycleworld #brakes #mastercylinder #motovlog #mechanic #projectbike