Author Topic: Braided Hoses  (Read 1171 times)

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Offline tarule

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Braided Hoses
« on: November 14, 2007, 08:37:52 am »
I am currently looking into picking up some braided hoses for my 73 CB500. somewhere else on this board i read the praises of picking up some brake lines off of the HEL usa site. I noticed on their site they list lines available for the CB550 K3, F1, and F2... all 1977 models.. ??  anyone know if there is any difference between hose sizes or if fittings are compatible across all three? i would think that generation 550 and my 73 500 would share the same hose sizes but wanted some reassurance before i decide to purchase.

thanks
73 CB500
76 CB400 SuperSport
75 RD350
81 C70

Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Braided Hoses
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2007, 10:03:16 am »
I'd be a little hesitant to order them to "stock" specs.  You never know if maybe a PO replaced the handle bars or made other such mods that would change the geometry of your forks.  It would be worth your time to measure the lengths of each hose on the bike now and confirm the lengths with HEL specs.  They can adjust the lengths to what ever you specify at little or no extra charge.

When I replaced my front brake lines, I eliminated the steel pigtail pipe ar the caliper and had banjo fittings with angled bends to help reduce strain on the line.  Some people have gone with a single line from caliper to master cylinder (eliminating the pressure switch manifold in the middle) and ordered up a special banjo bolt that has a pressure switch built into it.

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Offline dagersh

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Re: Braided Hoses
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2007, 11:06:18 am »
Give Craig a call at HEL.  He is a super nice guy and will get you all sorted out.  I would also recommend getting a speedbleeder for the caliper as well.  I rebuilt the brakes on my '75 550F with HEL lines, Speedbleeder and an OEM MC rebuild kit and it worked great.  I also used Speedbleeder's bleeder bag.  When Bleeding the brakes hang the bag at about handlebar height and bleeding the brakes will be a pice of cake.

Good luck,

Gersh
1962 CA95
1966 Black Bomber
1966 CA77 Dream
1967 Superhawk
1970 CB750K0
1972 CL350
1972 CB450/500 Custom
1972 CB500K1
1975 CB550F
1976 CB400F
1975 CB750 Future Restoration
1976 CB750K6
1976 CB750F
1976 GL1000


1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
1990 BMW K1
2001 'Busa
2003 RC 51
Bunch of Guzzi's

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Jbird

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Re: Braided Hoses
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2007, 05:21:04 pm »
I replaced the clogged up front hoses on my 76 75K with some -3 braided stainless brake hoses from a local hotrod/race shop. I got upper & lower hoses, banjo fittings and crush washer seals for about $55.00 US. I priced replacement OEM style hoses, nearly $120.00. If I was a bit brighter I would have gotten the lower hose long enough to eliminate the hard line at the caliper.   Jbird 8)