Author Topic: Brake lines.  (Read 22837 times)

Offline pdg

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Brake lines.
« on: September 05, 2014, 03:44:32 PM »
So, as the subject says, brake lines.

Specifically, the flexible rubber ones.

When was the last time you changed yours? Never? When the brakes got spongy because the hoses thought it would be more fun to be a balloon? When you noticed them cracking? Or, do you follow the manuals and replace them every 5 years regardless of mileage along with brake fluid every 2 years maximum?

Just wondering as there seems to be a "OMG OLD TYRES WILL KILL YOU" thing going on, along with fuel lines, while an item made of a comparable material that is arguably as much if not more safety critical I never see mentioned...

If a fuel line ruptures, it might cause a fire, or it might just make the engine die. If a tyre lets go then it's a problem, but it depends on how quickly it deflates, whether it's front or rear and how experienced you are. If a brake line goes, I think pretty much worst case would be - first shock and panic at no brakes, followed by a tyre soaked in nice slippery brake fluid, leading very quickly to a visit into a truck/hedge/tree/church/nun carrying a box of kittens....

I would put a poll but honestly I'd prefer a "real" response :2thumbup:
1988 K75S

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2014, 04:14:48 PM »
I'm with you 100% on this one. Old brake lines = very bad mojo. Replaced the black brick lines with Spieglers after hearing the only horror story I needed to hear. Need to check the ones on the red brick -- they are rubber but clearly not original -- I didn't know the lines are dated, will look for date.
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 193k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 76,000 mi (11k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B'

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline pdg

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2014, 04:19:10 PM »
The OEM ones have a production date, usually on a plastic ring.

Some others are also dated, but location and presence may vary.....
1988 K75S

Offline mystic red

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2014, 04:31:16 PM »
I did stainless brake line replacement....also fuel lines as one was pissing on my leg when I pulled into the shop.

Offline Scott_

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2014, 05:21:22 PM »
I replace the brake lines with SS braided on my black brick when I did all of the other rubber hoses/lines 2-3 years ago.
The red one is due for a full rubber overhaul, some are not original as I had a couple of valves replaced 5yrs ago and some of them were changed then, but others I'm sure are probably still original.
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Offline Elipten

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2014, 11:57:39 PM »
I agree, replaced mine with SS braided Spieglers.  How long are these good for?
  • San Antonio, TX
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Offline Zipster

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2014, 05:13:28 AM »
My front end is now stainless steel braid after getting serious brake fade and ballooning in the original hoses. The bike is 18 years old and has 101,000 miles so they seem to have done pretty well! I haven't done the rear yet but it's on my list!
  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
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Offline hartrepair

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2014, 10:59:31 PM »
I replaced all of mine early this year when the rear caliper started to drag. Then I could stand on the rear brake, and no action, or the rear would almost lock down. I have ABS, and wondered if it was at fault. I found the rubber in the line was stopping fluid flow, and even acting as a one way valve! New external fuel lines and quick couplers as well.
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'95 K1100RS

Offline MCrenshaw

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2014, 07:54:57 AM »
The front line on the K1100RS developed a split at the top connection.  Found a local industrial hose shop that was able to fab a replacement line for about 25% cost of the OEM line.  New crush washers on the banjo fittings, and bleed including the ABS module.  It took longer to drive to the shop and have it made than it did to replace and bleed.

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2014, 09:58:23 AM »
That is the way to go if you want it done cheap. When rear brake line on my old Ford sprung a leak I took the old line to a brake shop and they made me a new one for $5.
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 193k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 76,000 mi (11k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B'

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline mystic red

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2014, 01:30:49 PM »
You can have a set of stainless made that way too.

Offline WayneDW

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2014, 10:35:39 PM »
I ordered a custom SS line for the front brake when I bypassed the ABS system from this ebay seller:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/rennsportautoparts

Was very happy with the speed that he built it, shipped it and the quality.
  • Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • 1992 K75RT

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2014, 07:25:41 PM »
You can have a set of stainless made that way too.

Auto brake shops stock braided stainless line? I didn't know that -- that's worth looking into. Spieglers were well over a hundred bucks for ABS outfit with shipping.
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 193k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 76,000 mi (11k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B'

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline mystic red

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2014, 07:33:42 PM »
I went to a place in Spokane called The House of Hose....all things hose....don't know if brake places stock stainless.

Offline Marinahosy

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Brake lines
« Reply #14 on: December 09, 2014, 06:18:34 AM »
has anyone put Koni sport on a 98 V70XC? what Im most interested in is what has to be done for brake line attachment point on the strut? longer brake lines, attach the mount points from the old struts.

 
By the way, the best program for marketing, SEO and SMM for me - it a XRumer 12.0.9 Elite :)

Offline koapono

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #15 on: December 09, 2014, 08:38:51 AM »
when i removed ABS from bike i had brake lines made at local hydraulics shop in richmond, va.
brought in the old ones so tech could examine form and fit (offset angles, etc) and they were ready in no time.
pictured are the three front and single rear hoses.
my cost was 80 dollars for all, most of which went towards cost of banjo fittings!


  • prince george, VA (25 miles south of richmond)
  • 1994 K1100LT

Offline drut

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #16 on: December 09, 2014, 05:40:14 PM »


"So, as the subject says, brake lines.

Specifically, the flexible rubber ones.

When was the last time you changed yours? Never? When the brakes got spongy because the hoses thought it would be more fun to be a balloon? When you noticed them cracking? Or, do you follow the manuals and replace them every 5 years regardless of mileage along with brake fluid every 2 years maximum?"
So many variables e.g:exposure to uv/sunlight,temperature,humidity there can never be a definitive answer that fits all! but increased lever travel or any symptoms that cause unease need you to consider this without delay.Most folks realize changing feel to brakes or steering  is important but maybe not that they need to figure it out ASAP as a priority
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Offline Snowman

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #17 on: December 15, 2014, 06:01:13 PM »
As most of us will choose stainless lines as replacements, how long do these last compared to the rubber lines?

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #18 on: December 15, 2014, 06:23:31 PM »
I would think they'd last longer than just rubber as they're less exposed to UV light
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • '87 K75C
'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #19 on: December 19, 2014, 04:20:05 PM »
It's the inner wall of the rubber ones you have to worry about -- they get flaky after time and the flakes clog the lines leading to brake lockup. Not an issue with steel ones, I assume.
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 193k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 76,000 mi (11k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B'

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline pdg

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #20 on: January 02, 2015, 08:25:46 PM »
Originally, this thread carried over from the 'old tyres debate'...

Stainless steel lines are simply normal rubber brake hoses that have a steel overbraid rather than a fabric one. Usually, you won't see the fabric braid as it's under a layer of black rubber - on stainless lines the outer casing is often clear or translucent (or not there at all) to show the metal braid. They tend to last longer because the steel braid is much less inclined to allow swelling of the hose unlike the fabric braid.

As an example, Goodridge give a lifetime warranty on their hoses....

So, who would make their own hoses then? Given that a 'custom made' hose from any supplier is assembled from stock parts by a guy in a shop somewhere.

I assemble my own when I need replacements, but then I'm also happy to use 'old' tyres  :hehehe
1988 K75S

Offline Novafrk

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #21 on: January 03, 2015, 10:07:54 AM »
Most of the aftermarket / performance SS brake lines I have seen have an inner Teflon tube, not rubber. They last a lot longer than rubber. I've never kept a vehicle that I've put them on long enough to evaluate the 20-30 year life you get out of factory rubber vs the SS Teflon. I just put a set of SS Teflon lines on my 87 Fiero, I'll let you know how they hold up in 2035. ;-)

All joking aside, I'm in Indy and Earls Indy will make brake lines for cheap. A guy in the club has all of his made there and swears by them. I'll be taking all of mine there before spring and I will report back.
88 K75S - My red headed mistress. Shhhh.

Offline wmax351

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #22 on: January 04, 2015, 05:05:34 PM »
I replaced the OEM rubber lines on my '86 BMW 325es over the summer. They were a little cracked on the rubber outer coating. So 30 years is probably a good time to replace them. :P




I ended up using spiegler's on my k75 for convenience and because they were on clearance, but if you bring the oem hoses to a hydraulic shop, they can make you a set. You can also custom make a set that uses a 2 line setup, either two lines from master cylinder, one to each caliper, or a single line to a double banjo bolt on one caliper, and a short hose between the two calipers.
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline TaosBrick

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #23 on: January 07, 2015, 10:47:49 AM »
No hydraulic shop in Taos. How much are the Spieglers for a K75, and where do you get 'em?
Flog It Every Day - I mean, the BIKE!
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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Brake lines.
« Reply #24 on: January 07, 2015, 11:15:43 AM »
I got mine from these guys on ePrey.  A million choices for ABS/non-ABS, and color of line and fittings.  just match up your model, year and whether or not it has ABS. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spiegler-Stainless-Braided-Front-Brake-Kit-SMK-Line-RED-Fit-BMW-K-75-S-86-91-/271525689752?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f38313998&vxp=mtr
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

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