Topic: Would someone mind confirming the size of a brake-line fitting on a 550 front

[Kong]

In conjunction with adding a second disk brake to the front for my 550 I am looking for the universal fitting to screw into the calipers, which will then accept the AN-3 standard ends on braided lines, with will run up to the double banjo and switch assembly.  I believe the fittings have 10x1.25mm threads on the male side but I'm not sure and I don't want to order the wrong fittings.  Can anyone confirm that that is the right size or let me know if that's wrong and something else is needed?  I'd very much appreciate it.

[Kevin400F]

Yep, 10mm x 1.25 pitch.   Confirmed by threading bolt in the attached pic into brake fitting port of a spare caliper.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

A common caliper mod is to drill out the tapper at the bottom of the inlet and finish tapping the threads with a 10x1.25 tap.  you can then run a one piece brake line to the caliper and fix it with a standard banjo bolt.

[FunJimmy]

A common caliper mod is to drill out the tapper at the bottom of the inlet and finish tapping the threads with a 10x1.25 tap.  you can then run a one piece brake line to the caliper and fix it with a standard banjo bolt.

Wish I did that when I added my second caliper.
A banjo and bolt is so much cleaner than the adapter with straight fitting.

[Kong]

Kevin,

Thanks for confirming the size and pitch, particularly the pitch.

Old School,

Its been my habit when fitting braided lines to existing brakes to just use a standard adaptor at the caliper and then universal lines and fitting after that all the way up to the master cylinder.  So there's no reason to drill and tap, I just screw in the little fitting and then buy my hoses, which as some may not know are readily available in various increments of length (1 inch) at reasonable prices.  It also lets me use any any manufacturer's fittings, some of which are quite nice looking.

At any rate, the fist step is a pair of these adaptors to screw into the calipers ($6 each):
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=194431&catId=416&leafCatId=41604

Then I'll need two hoses.  As I measure the distance from the caliper to the junction/switch it looks like a 16" and 17" are required" at about $25 each:
http://www.bikebandit.com/goodridge-universal-dot-brake-line

Then I'll need various fittings, three 90-degree banjos and a long bolt at the junction/switch, another banjo up top, things like that.  These are available from a number of outlets from about $10~25 each:
http://www.jpcycles.com/goodridge/brake-lines-and-hoses?Ntt=banjo&Ntk=All&Nao=0http://slingshot-cycles.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_5&products_id=4

So basically its just a matter of breaking out the plastic (total price ~$150 for duals, $100 for single) and picking up the phone, no need to drill and tap at all.  There is one thing though, and if a guy is doing this for the first time maybe I should give at least these three suggestions.  First off don't mix hose manufacturer's, the color and braid pattern will not match.  Second, make sure you get plastic coated hose.  Third, support your hoses such that they will not rub against your frame or chromed parts - that braid will take off powder coat, paint, and chrome off your bike almost as fast as a grinder anywhere it touches (with the wind blowing and the bike vibrating).

[FunJimmy]

Kong

For a $150.00 you can have custom hoses made to exact specifications. After drilling and tapping it will look professional and not cobble together. I guess that’s the difference between the concourse bikes and the brides maids. I'm just saying.

[Kong]

Kong

For a $150.00 you can have custom hoses made to exact specifications. After drilling and tapping it will look professional and not cobble together. I guess that’s the difference between the concourse bikes and the brides maids. I'm just saying.

Interesting way to look at it.  I'll take that under advisement.  You may have changed my mind on how to do it in some cases.  I don't, however, find building from components an unattractive way to put a set of brake lines together, in fact if to call them cobbled together really doesn't describe it at all, unless you have a predisposition to favor crimps over fittings.  The advantage to component parts is, of course, that you can do it yourself rather than farm it out.  I generally prefer that, when possible.

[FunJimmy]

Interesting way to look at it.  I'll take that under advisement.  You may have changed my mind on how to do it in some cases.  I don't, however, find building from components an unattractive way to put a set of brake lines together, in fact if to call them cobbled together really doesn't describe it at all, unless you have a predisposition to favor crimps over fittings. 

But you still have crimps on the prefabed lines, plus all hoses have to exit straight out the caliper and then bend at fairly large radiuses.

Cobbles might have been a bit of an overstatement, but in hindsight, I would have preferred to drill, tap and go the banjo route on my bike.

[Kong]

I'm still thinking about it - your suggestion is a good one.  Let me ask you, do you have to machine the top flat of the caliper to be dead flat or do you just put a copper washer under it and let that take care of the seal?

Actually I'm glad I came back and checked on this post.  I've spent the last couple of hours ordering parts and I was just getting to the list of stuff I need for my brakes; new seals, pads, bleeders, that sort of thing.  The front end is back on the frame and everything is suspended in the air so its a good time to measure for at least the lower section of the brake lines.

On my Harley I have a stainless bajo directly at the front caliper and then a universal line all the way up to the master cylinder, where there is another after-market (either Russell or Goodrige - its cold and I'm not going out o check which it is) banjo.  Its a pretty clean setup.  On the rear of that bike I have a custom made braided line, which includes a very small neat stainless pressure switch and I wouldn't say one looks any better or worse than the other.

Do you know anyone who is making a set of braided lines for a dual disk 550, top to bottom?  As I said, I'm ordering stuff today and if you have a recommendation as to where to go get a set or get a set made I'm interested.

[FunJimmy]

Kong

Spiegler has some of the best looking fittings on the market.
http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm

Lots of different options too.
You could have them make you a dual hose to the calipers from a splitter to the master as an example.
Might be a bit more expensive than some, but great stuff.

Alternatively, you could measure the length required and do a bit of ebay shopping.
Triumph Speed Triples have nice lines and I often see them in ebay for reasonable prices.
Ask the seller to confirm length before bidding. There are also many others that you can fine id a dual line all the way to the master cylinder works for you.

Good luck.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

+1 to Spigler.  All my bikes run Spigler brake lines.  My 750 also has a Spigler 7/8" handlebar riser.

There is no need to machine the caliper, the copper washer has enough crush to seal.  I happened to have gone with the Spigler fitting that doesn't require the drill & tap routine.  I can't recall the fitting number for sure, but 520 comes to mind.  You can call them ant tell them what you need, and I bet they can help you design the hose setup over the phone.