Topic: $#^#^ Braided Brake Lines

[Bankerdanny]

Why is it so freaking hard to get a simple set of braided lines for my 550?

I wanted to order from Slingshot in early July, but they weren't taking orders until the 17th because they were moving. Then on the 17th their link takes you to the definition of exhaustion. Funny, but not helpful in terms of knowing when I could order so I can decide if I can get them before I leave on my ride to Colorado on 8/12. After almost a week he puts up a message that he won't be taking orders until 7/30, thanks for the update, but it would have been nice to know that 3-4 days earlier.

So on the 26th I contact Apex, how long is the lead time, can you get me lines by 8/10? Sure they say. So on the 27th I place the order (and give my CC info for payment). I get the e-mail confirmation. Then silence. There is a link to check the status, but it doesn't work at my office. Finally I check on  my phone and it shows me an order, with a button to pay via paypal. So did the order not actually get placed? I can't tell. Click 'contact us' looking for a phone number, but no number, just an e-mail.

Here's the thing, if you are an actual business, have a $*%$*& telephone number and put it on your $*&^%$& website so your &^%# customers can contact you about their orders. I sent an e-mail via the contact screen yesterday, 24 hours later, no response. I could have just bought rubber lines (my current lines are old and the top one is extra long because of the tall bars it had on it). A bunch of places sell them.

I am really disappointed in both Apex and Slingshot. Apex for not giving me a way to contact them easily, and Slingshot for wasting my time being cute instead of just telling prospective customers when they would be accepting orders again.

[754]

Just make them yourself  get the parts from Earls or maybe Summit.

[vfourfreak]

Try these guys :

http://www.helperformance.us/hel-brake-lines-for-honda-cb550-k3-1977.html

I have their lines on my RVF and am very content with the quality.

Kev

[seanbarney41]

Just make them yourself  get the parts from Earls or maybe Summit.

this is what I did last time.  Earls has their own website with virtually every combination of line, hose end, adapter, etc. you could ever imagine, then all the one's I needed where back ordered 3 weeks.

I have put braided lines on 3 different Honda's over the years.  They all have dual disc too.  The honda brakes still suck overall compared to the stock 40 year old rubber lines and single disc on my kz650.  So slap those rubber lines back on, looped around behind the hlight bucket if necessary, and enjoy your totally #$%*ty Honda brakes.

[RAFster122s]

Danny is the 74 use the same lines?  I have a set of std braided lines in smoke from Slingshot and my brake system is not operational yet.
Email me if you want me to ship them to you...

David

[Bankerdanny]

Thanks RAF,  I stopped by my buddy's hardware store to pick up some packages had shipped there (new bike boots and an LED headlight assembly) and found this waiting for me. I am a little concerned they are too short, which would be my fault, and suck bigtime.

[RAFster122s]

Do you need other lines?  Or dual front?

[Bankerdanny]

I'll know Saturday when MotoGuild is open again and I can check the fit of the new lines. I also stopped at a NAPA a couple blocks from the shop yesterday and inquired about them making me hoses. I have to check in later this afternoon to find out.

[Geeto67]

I am really disappointed in this whole thread. Seriously danny? you can't buy lines so you are just going to whine and moan about it on the internet? BUILD YOUR GD OWN like 3 other people have suggested. These are old motorcycles, sometimes things are not going to go your way - stop being whiny about not getting your way and man up and solve the problem. Also, if you aren't into building your own, these aren't the only two shops in town, there are other places like Earls, Galfer, Spiegler, HEL, all of whom would be happy to do custom lines for you at a competitive price.

And look, you got your lines from Apex anyway. So all that complaining about Slingshot and Apex for what? so you can feel better about yourself for a minute be cause you weren't being instantly gratified? Give me a break.

[Scott S]

  Find a hydraulics shop in your city/town and have them make them. I can take my old ones in to a place about five minutes from my house called Cardinal Rubber and they can match them in braided stainless for pennies on the dollar compared to any other place I've found. They can pressure test them and I've never had an issue.

[Bankerdanny]

Scott, That was my next step. Fortunately the Apex ones arrived, although as I said I am worried now I gave them the wrong length. I'll get it sorted.