Author Topic: Break lines  (Read 996 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Nol_one99

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Break lines
« on: April 07, 2025, 07:42:04 PM »
Hi all! I am changing my front break line to a single cable but was confused on the size of the threads going into the caliper. Anyone know? (I have a 1977 cb750k7)



I plan on buying a custom line off of . . .

https://us.helperformance.com/custom-braided-brake-lines

I have an option to make the end for the break caliper a female swivel head that screws onto a detachable npt male end but I only get two size options which are

AN3 female with 1/8” NPT male
OR
AN4 female with 1/8” NPT male

I don’t know out of those which I should get or if I should just get the swivel male attached to the end of the line which has an assortment of sizes.

Any suggestions or advice would be very helpful!

Thank you!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,419
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: Break lines
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2025, 09:49:37 PM »
If you're going non-OEM for these important parts, I might suggest looking at Z1enterprises here:
https://www.z1enterprises.com/brake-and-brake-parts/brake-lines.html?product_list_order=name
I've rebuilt a number of these bikes using their parts. good quality, and that's mighty important for the stoppers!
;)
See SOHC4shop.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book
Link to My CB500/CB550 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=my+cb550+book&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00
Link to website: https://sohc4shop.com/  (Note: no longer at www.SOHC4shop.com, moved off WWW. in 2024).

Offline newday777

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,104
  • Avatar is my 76 K6 in Colorado w/Cody on back 1980
Re: Break lines
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2025, 12:04:37 AM »
Welcome to the forum Nol_one99

The treads going into the K7 caliper are 10mm × 1.25

Be sure to go to the new members section and introduce yourself and your bike.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 1 K2, 4 K6, 1 K8, 1 F1, 1 F3
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline MauiK3

  • A K3 is saved
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,178
  • Old guy
Re: Break lines
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2025, 07:40:37 AM »
My new brake lines are made of Monel (copper nickel alloy), they don't corrode, they only get a little patina. I think I got them from Yamiya.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline Nol_one99

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Re: Break lines
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2025, 07:58:29 AM »
If you're going non-OEM for these important parts, I might suggest looking at Z1enterprises here:
https://www.z1enterprises.com/brake-and-brake-parts/brake-lines.html?product_list_order=name
I've rebuilt a number of these bikes using their parts. good quality, and that's mighty important for the stoppers!
;)
Well the reason I’m customizing my own is because I’m doing away with my break line splitter as I’m just got a headlight bracket that mounts the headlight from a bottom bold and the splitter is in the way. So I’m just going to do one continuous line to the caliper.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Nol_one99

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Re: Break lines
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2025, 08:00:54 AM »
Welcome to the forum Nol_one99

The treads going into the K7 caliper are 10mm × 1.25

Be sure to go to the new members section and introduce yourself and your bike.
So would you recommend me just get the swivel make end as it has that size?
Compared to this second option which has those other sizes



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,950
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: Break lines
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2025, 10:47:03 AM »
doing that looses your front brake light is that legal in your state?
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Tracksnblades1

  • My Son was a collegiate competition Trap, Skeet, and sporting Clay
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,101
Re: Break lines
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2025, 12:56:33 PM »
doing that looses your front brake light is that legal in your state?

That’s a good question…

It’s called the Uniform Traffic Code on this side of the little pond…
Varies a little from state to state.. window tinting is one that comes to mind..

I wouldn’t disable the front brake light myself nor the front brake..but then there’s the old choppers,
No front brake or front brake activated rear brake light, but may still slip right through the cracks..?

With the emphasis placed on the effectiveness of the front brake compared to the rear brake by the Illinois Secretary of State during Motorcycle driver license endorsements L or M examination testing. I doubt a defective front brake attivated light or missing front brake would pass the driving test. When my son added his Class M endorsement to his license they checked that everything attached was functional before he could use the motorcycle in the driving part.. one of the requirements of the driving course was stopping from a certain speed within a measured distance with the front brake…but in the book hand signals during the day are still legal..? 🤔

All this “BRAKE” code is causing me to need to take a BREAK….🤔
Age Quod Agis

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,950
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: Break lines
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2025, 01:01:35 PM »
You could use a later model master with integral mechanical switch or even a banjo bolt adapted to work a light, i have seen those but not sure if i trust them!
This side of the pond you must have 2 seperate braking systems and both must operate the brake light, hence even on linked systems usually one front  disk is worked by lever on bars whilst rear plus other front worked by foot
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Nol_one99

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Re: Break lines
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2025, 03:00:16 PM »
doing that looses your front brake light is that legal in your state?
The new master cylinders I got have a switch in them! So the wiring will be fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 35,214
  • Central Texas
Re: Break lines
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2025, 07:19:32 AM »
doing that looses your front brake light is that legal in your state?
The new master cylinders I got have a switch in them! So the wiring will be fine.

Not familiar with that vendor you are using but Apex Brakes can make whatever you need.

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

I would not recommend a "swivel head" as that is just another possible leak source.  I hope you plan to restore your caliper too!

PS.  "Brakes" not breaks.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Don R

  • My Sandcast is a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,608
  • Saver of unloved motorcycles.
Re: Break lines
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2025, 09:55:33 AM »
 You can also use a banjo bolt at the M/C with a switch built into it. That's how I did my double disc conversion with direct lines.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline Nol_one99

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Re: Break lines
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2025, 10:08:32 AM »
doing that looses your front brake light is that legal in your state?
The new master cylinders I got have a switch in them! So the wiring will be fine.

Not familiar with that vendor you are using but Apex Brakes can make whatever you need.

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

I would not recommend a "swivel head" as that is just another possible leak source.  I hope you plan to restore your caliper too!

PS.  "Brakes" not breaks.
I definitely plan to restore the caliper this year but I’m going to hold off for a bit as the one I got is doing pretty good still. I did order the swivel head so hopefully that doesn’t leak haha. But I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for that as you’re right that is a possible leak spot.

And I’m going to be honest I think I’ve been spelling brakes wrong for as long as I’ve been spelling brakes. Thank you haha!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,950
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: Break lines
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2025, 10:10:46 AM »
Well if you dont get your brakes right you could break your neck
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Nol_one99

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Re: Break lines
« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2025, 10:12:33 AM »
Well if you dont get your brakes right you could break your neck
Oh I completely agree. I’m plan on being safe with it. I’ll make sure that it’s not leaking before I ride and I know for sure the calipers are doing good for now so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 35,214
  • Central Texas
Re: Break lines
« Reply #15 on: April 10, 2025, 08:24:41 AM »
Well if you dont get your brakes right you could break your neck

Good one Bry!!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........