Topic: Making SS Brake Lines - Point Me in the Right Direction

[Kenzo1979]

Was wondering if someone could, in as much specific detail as possible, tell me exactly what to purchase so I can help a friend build some new brake lines - and personally, I'd like to be able to do this for future projects.  I purchased custom sets from slingshot years ago and I don't think that's a supplier anymore.  Seems easy enough to do though, but I don't want to buy the wrong connections and delay the process.  I've read some posts saying to get "JIC" connections.  I know the banjos are 10mm and the bolts are M10x1.25mmx24mm, but I'm more concerned with the types of line and connectors.  So, for anyone who already has rock solid specs on exactly what to get, I'd appreciate the guidance.  I'm looking up fittings and seeing things like "10mm to JIC No.4 or No.3..."  What line/hose size...103?  Do you simply buy the lengths with swivels, or is there a crimp setup?  Can you get the female connection for the lower hose to rigid line on the caliper, or are people ditching the rigid line and going straight to the male thread on the caliper?  If so, what connector size is this?  I'd love to recreate whatever the guy from slingshot was making, because I really like the way they look.  Those have the same fittings as stock (upper hose - Curved banjo to straight banjo; lower - straight banjo to female threaded).  So that would probably be a crimp method.  If it's that much more convincing to just go the screw-on swivel route, I guess I'll do that, but I'm curious to see what people have done and can recommend.  Thanks.

[Stev-o]

Dont think they sell just the parts, but after Slingshot went south, I started buying from Apex.  Their website shows all the different fitting options...

http://www.apexbrakes.com/custom.asp

[Bankerdanny]

There are several sources. Apex makes custom lines for a reasonable price, comparable to the price Slingshot charged. You supply measurements, pick out the fitings that you need (size, color, angle), and tell them how to clock them. I used them on my 550F and was quit happy.

The rear hose on my 750F came from Galfer. It fit perfectly and was shipped quickly.

The last two front sets I ordered, for my and my buddy's 750F came from Venhill USA. They use a 2 piece AN style banjo. There is a threaded on fitting permanently attached to the hose, then the banjo screws on an seals with a compression fitting. This way the banjo is infinitely clockable. They offer a bunch of colors. I have been really happy with them and this is where I would go if I needed another set of lines. My experience in the past has been that they ship within a couple business days, but the last set I ordered were pre-COVID in the Fall of 2019.

[Kenzo1979]

Okay, great.  I did see mention of Apex in previous threads.  So the site is pretty straight forward, but not the most informative.  When I click on a fitting, I was expecting to see some details about it, but it's just the pic.  My main concern is the female fitting for the rigid line.  I'm assuming it's also 10mm, and I would also assume it's 1.25mm thread pitch.  Could someone confirm that?  Because there are several 10mm Female fittings (mostly by car brand), but almost everything says 1.0 thread with the exception of #16, which says 1.0 and 1.25 thread, but then doesn't give you an option when you select it.  But based on everything else I see on there, I believe I would need this configuration according to their site:




http://www.apexbrakes.com/custom.asp

[bryanj]

You need an3 hose and fittings, you cut the ose with VERY sharp side or end cutters, slide on the nut, flaretheouter away from nylon inner,push olive onto nylon then fitting into nylon, slide nut down and tighten.
I will put up picsif you insist and when time permits

[Tracksnblades1]

Our local Hydraulic Shop will make them.
They used to make the +6s, same guys older now,
are shortening them back to stock..😇

[Kenzo1979]

You need an3 hose and fittings, you cut the ose with VERY sharp side or end cutters, slide on the nut, flaretheouter away from nylon inner,push olive onto nylon then fitting into nylon, slide nut down and tighten.
I will put up picsif you insist and when time permits

Thank you.  If I decide to build them myself, pics of the parts and process would be very helpful. Looked up the line, found 10 feet for $40.  Could probably get 4 sets of lines out of that.  I really like the black jackets that Apex and Slingshot (formerly) provide(d).  Wonder where you can find that outer tubing...hmmm?  Anyway, I got a little time to decide which way I'm gonna go, so whatever more pics or info come this way, I'll be taking it all into consideration.  I'll have to check the thread pitch on the rigid line.  Seems to be a lot of 1.0 TP out there for female fittings;  not sure if that's the case with the stock caliper connection though.

[Kenzo1979]

Our local Hydraulic Shop will make them.
They used to make the +6s, same guys older now,
are shortening them back to stock..😇

So, this post made me curious...hello, google...hydraulic shop Philadelphia...boom, there's a place 1.5 mi. from me.  Called them up and they said bring over the lines and they can make them on the spot if they have the exact fittings.  Worth a shot.  I'm gonna dig up a set of old lines, figure out the new lengths and head over sometime soon.  Maybe it'll all work out and I can support local business too.  If not, back to the other options.  Thanks!

[slikwilli420]

I had great luck with Spiegler USA. I submitted my order and a tech called to talk through everything and they built them in a few days. I had them in my hands within a week or so.

[Bankerdanny]

Our local Hydraulic Shop will make them.
They used to make the +6s, same guys older now,
are shortening them back to stock..😇

The local shop I went to wouldn't. They won't do brake lines because of the liability.

[Kelly E]

We've done a stack of bikes with Apex brake lines. Raymond is really helpful. We'll be ordering a complete set for the 80' GS1100 E as soon as we get the new triple tree bearings so we can assemble the trees and measure the length of the upper line going from the master cylinder we don't have yet mounted on the new shorter bars to the splitter.

[BenelliSEI]

I’ve had several sets of hoses, via Raymond, from Apex. I usually lay the originals out on a clean piece of cardboard. I write on the board (clear, fat, black marker) showing lengths and angles of any fittings. Raymond replies promptly and my hoses arrive shortly afterwards. Great service, excellent product.

[bryanj]

You can buy black an3 hose, at least on uk ebay you can

[Tracksnblades1]

Our local Hydraulic Shop will make them.
They used to make the +6s, same guys older now,
are shortening them back to stock..😇

So, this post made me curious...hello, google...hydraulic shop Philadelphia...boom, there's a place 1.5 mi. from me.  Called them up and they said bring over the lines and they can make them on the spot if they have the exact fittings.  Worth a shot.  I'm gonna dig up a set of old lines, figure out the new lengths and head over sometime soon.  Maybe it'll all work out and I can support local business too.  If not, back to the other options.  Thanks!

Our local hydraulic shop supplies all types of hoses, fittings,
for the automotive, commercial, industrial, petroleum distribution,
agricultural, construction,manufacturing, rail, etc sectors.
Like B Danny points out, liability may limit many, sometimes more information is too much.
Besides economics, I don’t think you’ll find a huge difference from your local shop vs a specialty shop.
 Similar to what Bryan posted AN fittings size… Here AN, JIC, flat face, split flange, inverted flare, etc,
 fittings are all members of ANSI, SAE standardization.
I personally like a supplier that fabricates a few hundred a day and to pick it up the same day when possible.
 But I don’t like a lot extra fittings to adapt something to make it work that same day vs having the exact and minimum required. California seems to supply the wholesalers all the odd ball one off, one in the USA, fittings, which is three days away here.
  If the brake specialty shops mentioned above offer your exact needs and their quality is good. I think you’ll have several good options..

[PeWe]

It should be easier to find SS lines for our bikes.
I bought a setup for dual brakes on my CB750 K6 from Slingshot.

I have searched for complete setups stock style with pipe that is slimmer and fits between fork and fender.

Upper line I need, 310mm for low Euro bar.
I have 300mm on both my bikes which is a little bit tight.
 
Those sets I can find has too long upper line.

Or lower part is direct to caliper which fits too tight between fork and fender. Goodridge, UK eBay seller.

[sievuun]

What about Venhill? are they available where you live? : https://www.venhill.co.uk/hydraulic-lines-amp-fittings/self-assembly-lines-and-fittings.html
Have been using them for 20+ years. Lot of different fittings and you can make your desired lenght yourself.

[pjlogue]

I use the reusable an-3 speed fittings and stainless braided Teflon hose.  There are a number of manufactures of these fittings.  Aeroquip, Earl's, Russell.  The fittings can be found in almost any configuration.  The hardest one to find is the one between the front hard line to flex transition.  finding this in a stainless is difficult.  I did my brakes in all stainless fittings on both my CB750K and GL1000.  Have had no problems with leaks.  The fittings make for a cleaner look than the standard crimp style fitting.  The only drawback is it is not original OEM so if you are doing a period correct restoration these would not be good. 

The an3 in stainless braided lines with the Teflon liner makes for a very firm feel as there is no "give" in the lines.  I much prefer these over the standard rubber hose.  The stainless braided lines are easily cut with a Dremel with abrasive cut off disc using tape at the cut point to stop fraying. 

-P.

[70CB750]

After Slingshot I went with an-3 for my sidecar brake.  I like the system, will use it to update my CB900 hoses.

[Kenzo1979]

It should be easier to find SS lines for our bikes.
I bought a setup for dual brakes on my CB750 K6 from Slingshot.

I have searched for complete setups stock style with pipe that is slimmer and fits between fork and fender.

Upper line I need, 310mm for low Euro bar.
I have 300mm on both my bikes which is a little bit tight.
 
Those sets I can find has too long upper line.

Or lower part is direct to caliper which fits too tight between fork and fender. Goodridge, UK eBay seller.

Yes, looking for a shorter upper and I want to keep the rigid line connection.  As much as I like to do things myself, this is one of those items I have no problem getting from a vendor if it’s made well and fits correctly.  Slingshot did a great job.  Looks like I have a handful of options though.


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[Kenzo1979]

What about Venhill? are they available where you live? : https://www.venhill.co.uk/hydraulic-lines-amp-fittings/self-assembly-lines-and-fittings.html
Have been using them for 20+ years. Lot of different fittings and you can make your desired lenght yourself.

Thanks, I’ll look into that one as well.


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[Kenzo1979]

…The fittings can be found in almost any configuration.  The hardest one to find is the one between the front hard line to flex transition.  finding this in a stainless is difficult.

And this was my main concern.  I was hoping somebody could point me specifically toward where to find the fitting for the connection to the hard line, or just verify the size and thread pitch so when I order them (either the fitting to do myself, or from a supplier to custom make the hose) — I know what to ask for.  I’ll just have to dig up an old one and take some measurements.


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[Rookster]

The thread size into the caliper is 10mm x 1.25.  I used -3AN hose from Russell for my setup. The banjo size is 10mm to connect to the brake light switch or the master cylinder. 

If you want to run your stainless lines directly into the caliper then Earls makes a nice fitting. It's part number 592035ERL.  It's a 10mm 1.25 thread.  Then any -3AN female line will connect to the fitting.  Here's what it looks like.



Scott

[Kenzo1979]

Rookster, thanks, that’s what I assumed it was, just needed verification.  Lots of good info in these posts, yours included.  Nice Pic, looks good!


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[MRieck]

I had great luck with Spiegler USA. I submitted my order and a tech called to talk through everything and they built them in a few days. I had them in my hands within a week or so.

Speigler lines are great as the banjos can be turned for perfect fit. Not cheap but good products never are.

[Bailgang]

I’ve had several sets of hoses, via Raymond, from Apex. I usually lay the originals out on a clean piece of cardboard. I write on the board (clear, fat, black marker) showing lengths and angles of any fittings. Raymond replies promptly and my hoses arrive shortly afterwards. Great service, excellent product.

+1 to Raymond and Apex. I initially had a set of Spieglers for my 77 F2 but they didn't fit right, the line from the MC to the splitter was 3 inches longer than it needed to be and the 1 from the rear MC to the rear caliper was about 2 inches too long and Spiegler didn't feel the need to remedy the situation and I had to go through PayPal to get my money back. I'm not trying to single out Siegler because I found out they weren't the only ones that didn't have the correct dimensions for my F2 and my son had a set of Spieglers on a cbr600 of his and they fit perfect. These were just SS replacement lines for the original brake lines and Apex was the only one that had the correct dimensions for my F2 but they do custom lines as well and Raymond was super helpful.