Coffin Vs Remote reservoir

[Nasher]

Apart from looking more 'Trick', is there any real benefit or advantage in using the later style Brembo remote reservoir front brake and clutch master cylinders instead of the older Brembo Coffin type ones?

My old M900 had the Black Coffin ones, but my M1000Ds has the Bright Gold Remote reservoir ones with their untidy sticky up brackets and pots.

I actually much prefer the more streamlined and tidy look of the Old Coffin ones on an older unfaired bike, and they'd make my M1000 look even more like my old M900.
I also happen to have a pair of them that I could fit.

The M1000 does of course have the later 65mm mounting hole Brembo Calipers instead of the earlier 40mm ones, but I think the piston sizes are the same.

Thanks

Nasher.

[mickj]

I don't think it makes any real difference to performance but the newer remote reservoir systems are cheaper to make, looking more trick is a side benefit for manufacturers.

[slob]

The piston sizes in the calipers are the same, so as long as you have a ‘coffin’ for a twin disc setup it should be fine. Same deal with the clutch, as long as you have whatever diameter master a dry clutch needs you should be good to go.

[350TSS]

Bigger brake reservoir in the remote than the coffin, therefore easier to bleed without sucking air, the remote ones are also more accommodating of sloping handlebars (clip-ons) although fairing interface issues may be an issue otherwise if the piston sizes are the same go with whatever looks best to you

[Nasher]

Thanks Guys, you've just confirmed what I thought.

I know I'll prefer the look of the Coffin type ones on the M1000, so will probably swap them over winter.

The spare Front brake reservoir is the original off my M900 which needs a rebuild kit, so will be a correct twin disk size one.

I lived with the reduced capacity of them when used with Clip-ons on my M900, so am aware of what I'm letting myself in for.
I found that if I put the bike on an 'Under-Headstock' type paddock stand and turn the bars to full lock the coffin reservoirs were perfectly level for bleeding purposes.

I've even kept the CCW spacer kit I had on the M900 if I get any issues fitting them on the ST type clip-ons I've used.

Of course the remote type ones look right on my 1000SS/SL so will be staying.

Nasher

[Darren69]

Also easier to see how much fluid and condition thereof.

[Darkness]

Remote reservoirs are more convenient if you have steeply raked clip-ons, but I don’t see any advantage on flatter bars.

[slob]

I had coffins and clip-ons on my 620 (for a while), bleeding wasn’t too bad, done carefully at full lock on the sidestand.
Making spacers to get the reservoirs to clear the handlebar bosses was the biggest hassle but since you’ve been there before I assume you have a solution for that.

[Mr Gazza]

Your coffin brake master will likely be a PS15 with a 15mm piston.
Your remote res' (Goldline) master will be PS 16 with 16mm piston.

The Coffin clutch master will probably be PS13 which I am fairly confident will have a 12.7mm piston.
Your Goldline one could be PS13 or PS12 and I wouldn't like to say if they are 13 and 12mm pistons or both actually 12.7mm (1/2")
If you go smaller than the Goldline, the effort will be decreased as will the clutch lift.
Same as fitting an after market servo, which are usually bigger.
Bigger master will give more lift for more effort.

Historical note; I test rode the new S4 in 2002 against my 1998 M900 with coffins.
The 1mm increase in master piston size gave a very notable sharpness to the brakes for the same caliper piston sizes.
I commented to the chappie at the dealer that I really must service my brakes as the new bike has showed mine up. He told me no you don't, these have been improved.
All it was a mill on the piston.
The 15mm coffin piston will give you more mechanical advantage, so ultimately you will be able apply more pressure to the pads, the lever travel will be a bit more and it will be an easier pull.

Incidentally I think you might be able to get coffin brake masters of various sizes as fitted to Scramblers? (They had cable clutches I think?)

[Nasher]

Thanks Mr G, I was assuming the bores were the same size.

Looks like I need to do some more checking etc before I swap them.

I must admit that despite checking everything externally and changing the fluid as part of the recommissioning of the M1000 I've not noticed any difference in performance between them and my 900

[Mr Gazza]

I know the seal kits and brake fluid aren't cheap, but I would just try the coffins on and see what you think. They will definitely work, but possible just feel a bit different initially.

[Darren69]

I think Gazza's right on the Goldline piston sizes, the S4 ones should the same as the 996 ones (PSC16), they are considered to be higher spec than the coffin type and I don't think the coffin ones will have any span adjustment for the levers either.

[slob]

pretty sure adjustable/non-adjustable levers are interchangable

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by slob

pretty sure adjustable/non-adjustable levers are interchangable

Off the top of my head that's my thoughts, but I won't know until I've looked sometime later this week.

[Darren69]

Originally Posted by slob

pretty sure adjustable/non-adjustable levers are interchangable

Actually you're probably right Rob, I'm mixing them up with the PS15's from my 70's Laverda where you have to fit dog leg levers to reduce the span. They are prettty good for the era, powerful but oh so wooden.

Still head and shoulders above anything else from that period but how much has modern technology has improved things? I've only ridden my 07 S4R a short distance but the 1098 spec brakes on that are truly mental. I will need to re-calibrate my hand and brain when I ride it.