How to buy steel braided brake lines

[Guest]

So I've done a search, and I'm a bit more informed than before I started, but I still have some questions.

Looking at my front brakes, it appears time to overhaul the calipers. I've got new piston seals, dust boots, and fluid seals (for between the two halves of the caliper) on the way. Figured if I was going to tear it all apart might as well get some new brake lines as well....

So, how do I buy new steel brake lines? Measure lengths, order appropriate fittings, install and bleed. I'm looking at the Goodrige universal stainless steel lines from Dennis Kirk. I assume you buy the hose, buy the fittings and screw the two together, then install on the motorcycle?

The fittings part is what is giving me fit(tings?). The caliper end of the hose is a straight in shot, no bends on the end of the hose. Do I just order this part to attach the hose to the caliper?

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=P0MPUYNXC1C0LLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=Main&skuId=193174

And is it preferable to run two separate lines directly from the master cylinder to the calipers, or one line to one caliper and another jumping over to the other caliper, or mimic the factory setup with one line from the M/C to a splitter on the triple tree, into 2 separate lines to the caliper?

I'm leaning toward the 1st and 2nd option just by virtue of less connections to leak. Is it easier to bleed one method over another?

Is there a cheaper alternative to DK?

Any thoughts are super appreciated!

84 Katana 750, BTW.

[hikermikem]

Lots here build their own; I'm in the middle of doing just that myself:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=114521&highlight=brake+line

I think this is the least expensive & the quality is very good.

Other options are the Goodridge lines like you have mentioned (I think Z1 has the best prices), or Speigler lines are nice (I bought a set last year for the 1100G).

Personal preference regarding the routing... I went with the 2 lines from the M/C direct to each caliper...

BTW, I thought I read in a past post you were a NDT guy. Me too, although I'm in aerospace...

Good luck,

Mike

[Bribird]

I got all my braided lines from HEL. The quality is awesome, and they were not to expensive. They also give you the option of how you want to run the front lines......like you were talking about. I ran mine in the stock style and have no problems. The HEL lines also come with stainless banjo bolts for all your connections which is really nice.

[SqDancerLynn1]

+1 for the HEL I have them on my 850

[Smokinapankake]

HikerMikeM,

yes, I am an NDT guy. Spent many years in aerospace and a few yeas ago I moved over to the nuclear side. UT, PT, ET and RT are what we do mostly.

Thanks for the link; I'll have to read through it when time is more available.

Where to get these HEL lines?

[Bribird]

I ordered mine directly from HEL in the UK, but I think they got a US distributor now.

http://www.h-e-l.co.uk/ is where I got mine from

http://www.helusa.com/ looks to be the new US site

[gus33]

I just installed Russel Stainless lines on my Yamaha 650 twin and I was quite happy with the ease of installation and the result. They have a universal style in many lengths that accept a varied number of their adaptors (banjo ends etc.). Price was fair compared to some others. Russel is an Edelbrock company so assume that the quality is fairly good. I bought mine through Parts Canada (www.partscanada.com pages 570-572 in the motorcycle catalogue) you can look there and find what you need and then go to the www.russelperformance.com website for american purchases. I think I will try to make my own for my GS1000 knowing that I can fall back on these ones if I find myself too incompetent.

[twr1776]

I ordered a set of Spieglers Friday morning and they arrived today. They are made in Dayton Ohio. A bit pricey at $ 170 shipped but awfully nice lines. They have an on-line configurator for the fittings. One note is they dimension center to center on the banjo bolts and use millimeters for length.

In case anyone needs the dimensions for an 82 850L model three line system with the OEM splitter, Bikemaster Daytona bars, square M/C with the banjo bolt on the end they are as follows,

Line 1 (upper) 435 MM - 002 top fitting 000 bottom fitting
Line 2 & 3 (lowers) 600 MM - 002 top fitting 000 bottom fitting

Do a reality check with electrical wire for length and verify the banjo angle you need for your bike and bar combo since the lines are made to order and are NOT returnable. This is my second set and I am very happy with them, they also send new crush washers with your lines.

http://www.spieglerusa.com/about.cfm

[Big T]

And is it preferable to run two separate lines directly from the master cylinder to the calipers, or one line to one caliper and another jumping over to the other caliper, or mimic the factory setup with one line from the M/C to a splitter on the triple tree, into 2 separate lines to the caliper?

A lot of people will tell you to run two from the MC down to the calipers.

My experience is that, over time, the braided steel saws into lower triple tree. So, go with the one line to splitter, 2 lines to calipers.

[bucketsofgs1000]

Goodridge makes polymer coated lines now... So no digging into the trees if you are concerned with that. I used Goodridge lines in my GS1000 and rebuilt all the components at the same time (I had a single caliper setup though). I was very happy with the quality of Goodridge.

[81ZUKI75]

I called Paragon for my 750EX. They list the E and L models as the same and they're not... DUH. Top hose was a little long but worked okay. The bottom two front and rear were fine. If your specific model is not listed they'll make it with a pattern.

http://www.paragonperformance.com/Suzuki%20GS1100.html

My 750T only has a single front so I used a string to measure the overall length following the original routing. I then reduced the length to allow for the end fittings.. ordered the line, one straight, and one angled fitting by Goodridge. Easy.

Good luck!

[willie]

I'm the 1st to admit that I'm frugal (cheap just doesn't set well with me, lol). Anyway, the cheapest route I could find, and used, was eBay. I just measured the length of my existing lines and did a search for that length. I found several available that were NOS still in the plastic bag. Of course, I made sure the ends matched the ones I was replacing.
Willie in TN

[Macmatic]

I called Paragon for my 750EX. They list the E and L models as the same and they're not... DUH. Top hose was a little long but worked okay. The bottom two front and rear were fine. If your specific model is not listed they'll make it with a pattern.

http://www.paragonperformance.com/Suzuki%20GS1100.html

My 750T only has a single front so I used a string to measure the overall length following the original routing. I then reduced the length to allow for the end fittings.. ordered the line, one straight, and one angled fitting by Goodridge. Easy.

Good luck!

Just a second vote for Paragon here. I got stainless lines from them a couple of years ago for my GS750 made to custom length with custom fitting and no BS extra setup fee. I'm pretty sure they make the majority of lines to order or at least thats the feeling I got when I was on the phone with them.

Customer service was greats and they person taking the order asked the right questions to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted. I'll go back to them for sure unless I run across a steal on ebay.

/\/\ac

[Smokinapankake]

So I just looked at HEL, they have a listing for an 85 GSX 750SF (mine being a GSX 750SE, same bike but different paint) for 100 bux. Looks like the route I'll be taking. No trying to decide which fittings to get, measuring lenghts, etc...

Thanks for the help, guys!

[Bribird]

You wont regret it. You can even customize them by picking the color of the outer covering on them. They will come with all the copper washers and stainless hardware. That price is less than I paid for mine last year, which is great for you....