Stainless steel brake line conversion concerns

[mattd1205]

Hi,

I’m looking to replace the brake lines on my 1978 GS750C (single disc front). I’ve never ridden a bike with stainless steel brake lines but I’m attracted to the idea that I can expect some increased braking performance on my bike but it also concerns me. I’m concerned that it may make it too quick to lock up and skidding out/endoing. Are these concerns unfounded?

thanks
Matt

[Nessism]

Yes, unfounded. Don't worry so much.

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?249857-Earl-s-Brake-Line-Thread

You can buy Earl's parts in Hawthorne.

[Brendan W]

Suzuki suggested replacing brake lines every two years. Admittedly that was 70's rubber.
Depending on how bad the old lines are the main effect you would expect to see is less lever travel for the same pull and less crap in the fluid when you change it out.
It will not transform your brakes to anchors.
I've gone one further and fitted stainless bleed nipples to reduce or avoid them seizing up. So far so good.

[Rob S.]

In my experience, only good can come from the upgrade from rubber to braided stainless steel. Plus what the guys below said.

You'll feel very confident. What used to take three fingers, you'll now do with two.

[greg78gs750]

lol good luck endo'ing a gs, even with stainless AND a twinpot upgrade, that's a big ask...

[mattd1205]

Ok stainless all around! Thanks guys! A gentleman on another forum was saying the rear would be prone to locking up if I went to stainless so that got me worried. I’m definitely considering earls since they’re nearby. I’m rebuilding my MCs and calipers while I’m at it. I pulled what I presume are the original seals from the calipers and unsurprisingly found plenty of grunge in the channels. I used a scotchbrite pad to bring it down and soaking them in my ultrasonic cleaner. It made a decent improvement but I want to get them as spotless as I can. Would a brass brush be too aggressive in cleaning the channels?

[Brendan W]

Braking hard the rear does maybe 15% of the work if even that. Yes you have to careful not to stamp on it but really?
The problem with advice in a vacuum is that the context is removed.
On the wrong surface at the wrong time you can lock any wheel.
There is a world of difference between what can happen and what is going to happen.
Old rubber in extreme condition can have the lever at the bar without developing full braking capacity.
That will not happen with the new lines.

[hannibal]

I would not use anything stronger than a nylon brush in the bores.

[salty_monk]

Yes the “locking up” thing is BS. I’m down the road from you in Torrance if you want to see one for reference.

A lot of additional performance can can also be had at the front by upgrading to twinpot calipers.

Cheers,

Dan

[TxGSrider]

Ive got 86/87 GSXR 1100 front end on my GS1100, with pretty nice size GSXR brakes and it wouldn't "endo" or "stoppie" short of hitting a curb or riding into a ditch - lol. It will lock up pretty easy though. Our GS's are long and heavy bikes.

[allojohn]

I've had braided steel lines on my '78 750 for 8 years, I've never come close to locking up the front or rear unintentionally....

[Grimly]

The 850s are prone to locking up the rears, but once you've had the back swing around you develop a better feel for it.

[Rob S.]

The 850s are prone to locking up the rears, but once you've had the back swing around you develop a better feel for it.

Sorry for the hijack, but I wish I could lock up my rear and swing it in a controlled fashion like the 850's or my old Kaw 900. Instead, my EZ Bucks like a bronco. And unless you can immediately alleviate the problem, disaster ensues. No one could hold on to my big E for eight seconds of bucking.

[mattd1205]

Ive got 86/87 GSXR 1100 front end on my GS1100, with pretty nice size GSXR brakes and it wouldn't "endo" or "stoppie" short of hitting a curb or riding into a ditch - lol. It will lock up pretty easy though. Our GS's are long and heavy bikes.

Yes the “locking up” thing is BS. I’m down the road from you in Torrance if you want to see one for reference.

A lot of additional performance can can also be had at the front by upgrading to twinpot calipers.

Cheers,

Dan

Hi Dan,

great to see a fellow GS’er in the South Bay! Thank you so much for the offer! I’m ashamed to admit that I found a nice small gash in the outer sheath in the rear line so I’m definitely going with stainless in the rear. Thank you again!

Matt

[salty_monk]

There are a couple of us in the area & a couple more down south..