Braided steel brake lines

[Guest]

I'm not sure if this has been covered before, but it's worth repeating- changing the brake lines to braided steel makes a huge difference in stopability. My GS650G is an index finger operation when covering the front brake while riding.

[Mysuzyq]

See you are an Ontario guy, so may I ask which kit you went with and how much? I like the HEL product, with the 2-line front setup, may start shopping for it soon. I picked up a Russell rear brake line kit on Ebay a while ago, but did'nt install it yet.
Tony.

[1980GS1000E]

Big difference in brake feel. I couldn't believe it.

[80GS1000]

There's a big difference in braking feel and power. And unlike rubber brake lines which need to be replaced every 2-4 years, steel braided lines are good for the life of the bike.

[tfb]

The price of the Hel set was prob. the most expensive of all, but then it came with stainless fittings, coated braided steel sheath (so it doesn't rub holes in whatever it touches), and all the stainless banjo bolts and copper washers as well. Worth every cent. And now the bike stops before I get to the back end of that truck... :shock:

[Mysuzyq]

[QUOTE=tfb;739193]The price of the Hel set was prob. the most expensive of all, but then it came with stainless fittings, coated braided steel sheath (so it doesn't rub holes in whatever it touches), and all the stainless banjo bolts and copper washers as well. Worth every cent. QUOTE]

Yes, they do look pretty cool. Weirdly enough, last time I priced them (a year ago), it was cheaper to buy them from the U.K., even with the shipping factored in....not sure if that has changed since.
BTW tfb, I had sent you a PM re. the carbs mod on your site...not sure if you got it?
Tony.

[tfb]

Tony,

Apologies re. my slow reply for the PM... ... but I have now replied!

Cheers,
Mike.

[bwringer]

You can configure your own lines on the Spiegler web site. The next day they'll contact you with a quite reasonable price.

http://spieglerusa.com/

This is very handy if you've changed your handlebars like most sensible riders. If you decide to order, they normally make up your lines and ship them out the next business day.

[spyug]

Are you not able to buy them locally?

I always get mine through my local wrench. He will whip them up in a few minutes and his cost is maybe 75% of on line stores.

Just wondering.

Cheers all,
Spyug

[Nessism]

It's very easy to make your own lines, and cheaper than purchasing pre made. Link below is a thread I posted about this topic a while ago. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ighlight=video

[tfb]

Believe me, I would have had no hesitations about making my own brake lines up... except that there was no crew who would sell me the various individual items of hardware required. ](*,)

If anyone had the gear here in Perth, they would only make up the lines to my specification, and none of them were going to be as well-spec'd as the 'Hel' lines available through an eBay store.

[salty_monk]

It's very easy to make your own lines, and cheaper than purchasing pre made. Link below is a thread I posted about this topic a while ago. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ighlight=video

I'll be going this route in the new year, at least on the front if not back as well.

Ed - will pick your brains when I come over for synch! - Cheers

Dan

[bwringer]

It's very easy to make your own lines, and cheaper than purchasing pre made. Link below is a thread I posted about this topic a while ago. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ighlight=video

I'd much rather have the crimped connections, personally. Nothing's going to come loose.

That said, I do have a set of the bolted-together lines on my GS850 that a local shoppe made up for me, and they've worked fine for years. However, I only had them made there because the skeevy SOB I talked to led me to believe that they had the special machine to make the crimped lines. The "special machine" turned out to be a cutting wheel and some mope with two wrenches... grumble mutter rassa frassa... Probably should have told them to cram it, but I wanted to ride...

I have a Speigler line on my VX800 (single rotor), and it's much nicer and cleaner looking, and I have a bit more confidence in it.

[salty_monk]

I've seen a crimped line fail in hydraulic applications plenty of time.... Mind you that's what my dad's company did at the time.... onsite replacement.

They were braided (at least once). Probably had more pressure than a front brake line going through them though!

Dan

[robertob]

I once had a crimped line made by a local shop blow apart on a car I built. I always test new brake lines now before I leave the driveway.

Anyway, it was caused by improperly crimping the end.

I also always inspect the crimp now - this one was obviously defective.