Topic: traction control brakes? WTH?

[jaguar]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRACTION-CONTROL-BRAKE-SYSTEM-MOTORCYCLE-FULL-SET-2-/360327927924?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53e537d874#ht_1028wt_1170

anyone know anything about them?

[MidnightLamp]

I'd guess it's a hydraulic accumulator.

If this is the case, I've heard of it before in specially designed systems. Using it on a brake system that wasn't designed for it may be a terrible idea. The principle is that the accumulator acts as a floating spring. When fluid pushes on the piston, it can also push on the accumulator. This means that the piston can move (in response to lever movement) or the accumulator can absorb the energy. This helps damp out pulsations, and allow some "give" to the system (much like a rubber line does.

Now, the problem is that it's not a very stable system if you design it wrong, and can lead to significantly increased pulsations, and insufficient clamping force.

What that does to a stock braking system that was not designed for it...would be interesting as an academic debate. For a practical application? I wouldn't touch it, because there's a LOT of R&D in a brake system... which someone has to do 

[jaguar]

hell so many people are going out and getting braided lines to stop the give....
i know that aircraft and rolls royce cars use an accumulator in the brake system but that supplies a head pressure in most systems

[swellguy]

They've been popular with some Harley riders for a few years before ABS was available on certain models.
I rode one bike with them, essentially they are a bolt for the banjo bolt that has a one way valve that releases a certain predetermined pressure on the caliper to avoid the brake locking up. They tend(ded) to find use on heavy 800+ baggers and usually were of benfit when you grab the lever (or push the pedal) suddenly.
If you apply brakes gradually, you won't really notice the effect but if you grab levers suddenly and tightly, it's designed to let enough pressure out to still apply adequate braking force without too much of it to stop the wheel from locking up.
Frankly, it's a neat idea. I don't whether it's all that necessary with a two piston front caliper and rear drum brake though.