Topic: stainless brake line length?

[ponch9]

I remember reading a few posts about replacing the brake line replacement with a SS braided one. I am doing the same with banjos at both ends (from caliper to master to bypass that stupid pressure switch). Can anyone tell me the length they used? I am using it on my cb500 project

[Tim.]

That stupid pressure switch of course activates your brake light - unless you're building a race bike, you kind of need this - what's your plan?

[ponch9]

i know what it is and dont believe that that was a great idea considering it makes a mess for bleeding......aids already bad pressure.....provides more connections to break/leak/wear.....blah blah

my intention is simple.....i am adding a ss braided line. NO question there just a statement. I am adding a elec switch at the lever to operate the light. not that big of a deal.

sooooo.... back to the question of the length. anyone with help greatly appreciated.

[tsflstb]

It kind of depends on what handlebars you're using too.  Are they stock, higher or lower? 

Maybe bend a coat hanger to follow the route you want the hose to take and then measure it?

[Tim.]

Not to be obnoxious about it, but the line needs to be as long as it needs to be for your application.  Are you going straight to the caliper or are you using the rigid line running to the caliper?  Bars of course are an issue - running ape hangers or clipons?

[csendker]

If you're just swapping out what you have now with no other mods, why not measure both existing lines and add some for where the switch is/used to be?  Assuming the routing will be the same.  And remember the pressure switch doubles as an anchor, so you'll have to be creative on securing the line with the switch gone.  If you're losing the little hard pipe, be real careful about a secure mounting when directly adjacent to the front wheel.

[ponch9]

I am running Thomaselli clipons and going directly from the master to the caliper so no little hard line. simply one line from "a" to "b". I am asking those who ARE experienced in this. not nay sayers. I was looking for others' who have done this and their input. this site seems to be filled with ridicule and "you can't do that's" whne people who post are looking for answers and simply replies. I get enough of that crap from local shops ......15 years later still doing things that can't be done. Sorry to sound abrupt. Thanks for the warnings though.

[tsflstb]

It can be done.
 
The length all depends on where you've got the clip ons positioned on the forks, what type of master cylinder you're using, how you've got it rotated on the bars, what degree bend on the banjo bolts....and a bunch of other things.  It's really a custom job.

Not that I don't want to help, but you're really better off just measuring it yourself.  Ask the guys at http://www.cyclebrakes.com/ --they're pretty helpful.  Good luck with it.

[ponch9]

It can be done.
 
The length all depends on where you've got the clip ons positioned on the forks, what type of master cylinder you're using, how you've got it rotated on the bars, what degree bend on the banjo bolts....and a bunch of other things.  It's really a custom job.

Not that I don't want to help, but you're really better off just measuring it yourself.  Ask the guys at http://www.cyclebrakes.com/ --they're pretty helpful.  Good luck with it.

thanks a lot, guess i was being lazy and wanted to order a line today before i get home. I will mock everything up and measure when i get home.

[KCs76Cafe]

I used a 30" braided ine on my 750.........running clubmans sitting about 1/4" from the top of the fork caps, 98 Suzuki Katana master cyl with brake light switch on the bottom, 35* banjos.......top and bottom.... and no hard line at the caliper. I did run the line to the outside of the fork down at the caliper to get it away from the tire/rim.

I took a sewing measuring tape and ran it where I wanted the line to give me a ballpark figure.

One thing I had to do was modify a banjo bolt......from my old master cyl..... to connect the braided line direct to the caliper. I went around to different shops trying to find a shorter one to allow the use of the banjo fitting at the caliper.......no luck. Even the Honda shop said no dice.  I had noticed on the new sport bikes how the braided lines went straight into the caliper using a banjo bolt. I figured one of those bolts would work.........but the Honda shop said they didnt carry the banjo bolts and they werent available.    Nobody ever needs them......DUH!!!!!!!! I needed one.

Anyway.........I had to cut 2-3 threads off of the banjo bolt from my old master to get the banjo at the caliper to seal. Without cutting the 2 threads off it would bottom out just before it tightened up.

I realize you have a 500........but maybe they are similar. 

Hope this helps. 

[csendker]

wanted to order a line today before i get home

Ah-ha!  Now it all makes sense.  You should have said that earlier and I would have gone out at lunch and measured mine, but I'm running stack bars, not clip-ons so it would have been long anyway.

One thing I had to do was modify a banjo bolt......from my old master cyl..... to connect the braided line direct to the caliper.

There's another thread somewhere around here that discusses this very thing, if you want to read some more.  Generally speaking, you have to shorten up a banjo to make it fit.  I'm doing a similar 'endless search' just to find some stinking crush gaskets, but no parts store I've been to as yet has even heard of them? WTF?  But I noticed you can get the crush gaskets and all sorts of banjos from Dennis Kirk.  You may want to look around to see if you can dig up a shorter size if you don't want to modify one.

Looky here --> http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/search/search.jsp?resultType=results&store=Main&searchString=banjo%2Bbolt%2Bis_nla%253A%2B0%2B%2Bsubcategory_id%253A%2B416%2Bleafcategory_id%253A%2B41604&userString=banjo%20bolt&catId=416&leafCatId=41604

[theunrulychef]

Also, just a tip about the MC.  77-78 750F2 master has the brake switch built in. Maybe you can find one for cheap.  They're also dual disc ready, so when you decide to slap on that other disc & caliper, you'll be good to go  .

I recently put on 2 stainless lines for my front brakes (bypassed the block) and the difference is amazing.  You're gonna love it.  I think I  could probably do a stoppie now if I had the balls to try it.

-Jay in Philly

[cafehonda]

Cyclebrake is a very good source for Galfer brand custom lines. Contact them and they will instuct how to send them a detailed drawing for a custom line. I am sure they offer a ready made line for stock applications, but youir Tomaselli clip ons will make that line too long. One thing to consider is that the stainless lines have very little radial flex meaning they don't twist easily. The banjo bolts have to be oriented correctly or the line won't go on. I went with a 90 degree banjo fitting @ the caliper to eliminate the hard line.
Good luck. P.S.: Just a thought, but it seems a bit naive to to ask advice on a custom application, give very little supporting information and expect a concise and accurate response from an open forum resource. If you look around you'll find most of these guys have done it before, made the mistakes and are just trying to save you a little time and money.

[ponch9]

I used a 30" braided ine on my 750.........running clubmans sitting about 1/4" from the top of the fork caps, 98 Suzuki Katana master cyl with brake light switch on the bottom, 35* banjos.......top and bottom.... and no hard line at the caliper. I did run the line to the outside of the fork down at the caliper to get it away from the tire/rim.

I took a sewing measuring tape and ran it where I wanted the line to give me a ballpark figure.

One thing I had to do was modify a banjo bolt......from my old master cyl..... to connect the braided line direct to the caliper. I went around to different shops trying to find a shorter one to allow the use of the banjo fitting at the caliper.......no luck. Even the Honda shop said no dice.  I had noticed on the new sport bikes how the braided lines went straight into the caliper using a banjo bolt. I figured one of those bolts would work.........but the Honda shop said they didnt carry the banjo bolts and they werent available.    Nobody ever needs them......DUH!!!!!!!! I needed one.

Anyway.........I had to cut 2-3 threads off of the banjo bolt from my old master to get the banjo at the caliper to seal. Without cutting the 2 threads off it would bottom out just before it tightened up.

I realize you have a 500........but maybe they are similar. 

Hope this helps. 

awesome.....that is what i measured!!! see there is help. thanks for the help. I ran into the banjo problem too but i have a spare set of calipers from a vfr750 with a banjo bolt that fits like a glove.

Also, just a tip about the MC.  77-78 750F2 master has the brake switch built in. Maybe you can find one for cheap.  They're also dual disc ready, so when you decide to slap on that other disc & caliper, you'll be good to go  .

I recently put on 2 stainless lines for my front brakes (bypassed the block) and the difference is amazing.  You're gonna love it.  I think I  could probably do a stoppie now if I had the balls to try it.

-Jay in Philly

haha.....another project for another day.......we are never done are we.

Cyclebrake is a very good source for Galfer brand custom lines. Contact them and they will instuct how to send them a detailed drawing for a custom line. I am sure they offer a ready made line for stock applications, but youir Tomaselli clip ons will make that line too long. One thing to consider is that the stainless lines have very little radial flex meaning they don't twist easily. The banjo bolts have to be oriented correctly or the line won't go on. I went with a 90 degree banjo fitting @ the caliper to eliminate the hard line.
Good luck. P.S.: Just a thought, but it seems a bit naive to to ask advice on a custom application, give very little supporting information and expect a concise and accurate response from an open forum resource. If you look around you'll find most of these guys have done it before, made the mistakes and are just trying to save you a little time and money.

true enough but i am looking for an answer and expect if you dont have one dont say anything at all. it really is a headache when u post and get nothing but woah......cant do that!!!! when it has been done. it really is a simple process and i was just looking for a length. thanks for the advice. i called old bike barn to order the line. I had an old gift certificate to use up. 

[eldar]

hope you get the line before summer is over!

[radman]

seems everyone was a little too nice about answering your question. Seemed like you had an idea planned out but didn't want input from people on this forum. I don't recall reading anything resembling naysayers, just inquiring what it was you were doing exactly. all the questions people asked seemed logical to try and steer you in the right direction. You answered your own question later on with going home and mocking it up to figure the length. But if your just looking for a length then 12 feet sounds good.

Remember this is an open forum, relax a bit and let the people that have some thought on the subject ask some questions first to help you out. You started pretty vague expecting the firts person to be the one who has done your exact project and can read your mind.

Sorry folks. I used this forum for years through its transitions to its domain of .us now. I have never seen attitude on this forum which makes it one of the best. I have always gotten great help evn if it took several responses to get what I needed.

[andy750]

I completely agree with cafehonda and radman. Why bother asking a question if your going to shoot the messenger.... ....a little courtesy goes a long way.....

[byurko]

Looking for custom brake components? Crush washers? I came across these guys today - http://www.chassisshop.com/

Download their PDF catalog and check em out...

Bryan

[ponch9]

I completely agree with cafehonda and radman. Why bother asking a question if your going to shoot the messenger.... ....a little courtesy goes a long way.....

didn't shoot the messenger.....in case you did not notice i THANKED all those who actually answered the question and offered usefull advice.

Looking for custom brake components? Crush washers? I came across these guys today - http://www.chassisshop.com/

Download their PDF catalog and check em out...

Bryan

that is a cool link.......thanks! and love the parachute catalog...weeeeee

[radman]

Dude Im confused. You still seem a bit cocky with everyone who was trying to help you. I read through every post again and everyone that TRIED to get some more info from you was pretty much called a naysayer by YOU. Last time I chacked this was a forum for SOHC enthusiasts that enjoy doing things themselves and sometime in an unorthodox manner.

I still think 12 foot length will work for you.