Author Topic: Replacing my brake lines (Read 4589 times)

csendker · « **on:** May 01, 2006, 09:41:38 AM »

I now have a new set of brake lines to replace my old, cracking set. It came with just the 2 lines, nothing else. I've never played with banjo bolts before, is there anything special to sealing them? Teflon tape seems questionable, and I've seen a reference to 'crush gaskets', but the old set doesn't have anything like this.

eldar · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2006, 09:43:04 AM »

Your banjo should have come with 2 copper washers. you put a washer on each side of the banjo fitting.

csendker · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2006, 09:47:29 AM »

Well, they didn't come with any washers. Anything special about these? One-time use? - can I reuse whatever comes off my current set? These available somewhere individually?

eldar · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2006, 10:20:47 AM »

well a cycle shop whould have them. You could probably reuse the ones you have but it is hard to say. I have done it but you have to crank on it more to seal them.

csendker · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2006, 10:32:05 AM »

Thanks!

mikeb4 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2006, 10:53:17 AM »

I would think any motorcycle dealership or supply house should have the washers .... I put one on each side of the brake line fitting, and where they are doubled up on my master to my dual fronts I use a washer in between the two fittings. They come in either crush style or copper from what I have seen. May be a good idea to use new ones, with the recommended torque ... important sealing surface! No other sealer or tape should be used. Good Luck!

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2006, 11:29:29 AM »

Have fun with the brakelines

Those crush washers are 1 time use only, no matter if they are steel or copper. The minute they are cranked down, thats it. If you have to break that fitting loose for any reason , they need to be repalced. Thus why they sell them in 10 packs

I have fought with my brake system for the past week or so, and every time I look away
something else is leaking. Be careful of chromed fittings, as they leak like a #$%*. I had to sand off the chrome in order to get a good seal. GOODRIDGE line of products BLOWS, as all of their parts are junk, poor build quality, etc.

If I could do it again, (which I might) I would go with standard black line, with reg. fittings from the autoparts store.

eldar · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2006, 12:38:46 PM »

I have reused these washers numerous times. I just had to tighten them more than normal. I do recommend getting new ones though.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2006, 02:23:44 PM »

GOODRIDGE lines are CRAP, just incase anyone wanted to know

eldar · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2006, 02:26:27 PM »

thats why I went with hel

hcritz · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2006, 02:32:04 PM »

Hey csendker...
If your old washers are solid copper ones...there is an old trick...works well on 2 stroke head gaskets too.
Heat the washer with a propane torch until slightly glowing red then drop into cold water...
It will soften the copper to a like new state...Copper age hardens and gets brittle.
The English used to use it for brake lines...scary thought!

malcolmgb · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2006, 03:01:55 PM »

Quote from: hcritz on May 01, 2006, 02:32:04 PM

Hey csendker...
If your old washers are solid copper ones...there is an old trick...works well on 2 stroke head gaskets too.
Heat the washer with a propane torch until slightly glowing red then drop into cold water...
It will soften the copper to a like new state...Copper age hardens and gets brittle.
The English used to use it for brake lines...scary thought!

beat me to it, remember it from my college days, annealing is what it is called, heat copper to a cherry red colour over entire area & plunge in cold water.

STLrocker · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2006, 06:37:28 PM »

auto parts stores also cary packs of banjo gasket washers. may be easier or cheaper to get that way.

i've reused them when i had to, but i use new ones when i can. and definately would with new lines.

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2006, 06:46:55 PM »

I have a few questions since I will be rebuilding my brakes soon and I'll just piggyback this thread instread of starting a new one.

where should I order the lines? Is it still a Honda stocked part?
What about the Terrozzi SS lines? Any good? I know it's not "original", but I'm willing to bend my own rules on originality on this one.
Would overly long lines affect feel? When I got the bike, it had the higher 400 bars on it. I fitted the proper "Euro" 400 bars and this lowered my MC to nearly right on top of the gauges. This also made the brake line about 6 inches too long and right now fluid exits the MC, flows down, does a 180* turn UP, then back down into the banjo fitting for the brake switch and such. I think because the fluid is taking such a long route and turning two corners before it gets to the brake switch, that may affect lever feel and brake effectiveness.
Could I cut new lines to the proper length if they come too long?

mikeb4 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2006, 07:20:48 PM »

I have found some of the best deals are stainless braided lines on eBay but you have to often ask the sellers what length the lines are before bidding since most times they are listed under specific modern bikes. Make sure to get name brands with the ones that have the fittings already swaged to the line ends to make the whole job easier. Length, especially with the stainless braided lines (which are firmer feeling) are irrevelant on any length you would run into on a bike. It's really not as hard as it looks ... simple fluid hydralics and since the lines are so standardized it's hard to mess up. The best thing I ever did was to buy a Mity Vac to help with the bleeding process solo. Good luck!

Quote from: GroovieGhoulie on May 01, 2006, 06:46:55 PM

I have a few questions since I will be rebuilding my brakes soon and I'll just piggyback this thread instread of starting a new one.

where should I order the lines? Is it still a Honda stocked part?
What about the Terrozzi SS lines? Any good? I know it's not "original", but I'm willing to bend my own rules on originality on this one.
Would overly long lines affect feel? When I got the bike, it had the higher 400 bars on it. I fitted the proper "Euro" 400 bars and this lowered my MC to nearly right on top of the gauges. This also made the brake line about 6 inches too long and right now fluid exits the MC, flows down, does a 180* turn UP, then back down into the banjo fitting for the brake switch and such. I think because the fluid is taking such a long route and turning two corners before it gets to the brake switch, that may affect lever feel and brake effectiveness.
Could I cut new lines to the proper length if they come too long?

eldar · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2006, 08:41:31 AM »

check out hel usa. I got my line from them. You can choose the color of the line AND the color of the fittings. All for only $50 that included the shipping. I doubt it is possible to get anything better from ebay.

nomadwarmachine · « **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2006, 09:48:14 AM »

+1 on HEL lines -- I have them on my CB750K2 and the difference is noticeable (see photo). Check out www.helusa.com

eldar · « **Reply #17 on:** May 02, 2006, 09:52:26 AM »

I went with the black fitting. They are certainly smaller than the old ones.

Barrett99 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2006, 10:03:13 AM »

HEL is definitely the way to go. Bought mine about a year ago but had to recently return the lower line for
shortening since I went back to using the stock hard pipe fitting. Done with no problem, very quickly and minimal cost.
Doubt anyone, anywhere gives better customer service than Craig at HEL.

Chris Liston · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2006, 10:44:56 AM »

I can recommend Russel lines. Thats what I have used. They are great. You purchase the lenth of line you need and the adapters you need. Just twist them together. I got them from flanders.

Those HEL lines are nice though. I need a shorter upper hose now that I'm running clubmans so I may give them a try.

crazypj · « **Reply #20 on:** May 02, 2006, 11:15:24 AM »

I do have something good to say about Harley Davidson. They make really excellent brake line washers with a 'rubber' seal in the middle. About $1.00 each but they work
better han any others I've tried. If you using a double banjo bolt you need 3 for the top (washer, fitting, washer, fitting, washer) and another 2 for the bottom each side
PJ

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #21 on:** June 27, 2012, 08:15:34 AM »

So I'm ordering this SS replacement from Slingshot: http://slingshot-cycles.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_58_6_63&products_id=59

Anything special I need to know about switching out the lines or is just and on/off affair? Should I drain all the old brake fluid from the system and replace with new?

DJ_AX · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2012, 08:41:00 AM »

Quote from: Kev Nemo on June 27, 2012, 08:15:34 AM

So I'm ordering this SS replacement from Slingshot: http://slingshot-cycles.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_58_6_63&products_id=59

Anything special I need to know about switching out the lines or is just and on/off affair? Should I drain all the old brake fluid from the system and replace with new?

Holy thread resurection! ... Over 6 years dead!

Re: Slingshot... I got mine there... Service was great and the lines are flawless. Installation was as easy as one would hope! Many miles and no leaks.

After installing the lines, I later switched to lower euro bars. The line now does a curve up and back down as described above. I've had no problems with it. I'd imagine though that if there was any air in the line it'd get trapped there for sure.

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #23 on:** June 27, 2012, 11:52:29 AM »

Yeah, I have euro bars on my bike and was wondering about the length as well:

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2012, 07:28:19 AM »

Here's a better pic that shows the curve of the current brake line with bars- too much?

News:

Author Topic: Replacing my brake lines (Read 4589 times)

eldar

eldar

eldar

eldar

eldar

eldar

Barrett99