Braided brake lines

[dawgout81]

I've seen the article on how to replace gas lines with braided lines, and have read that Wingadmin replaced brake lines with braided lines.
My questions are:
1. Where do you get these lines?
2. Is there an "how-to article" to demonstrate this?

Thanks again for this great site!!!

[WingAdmin]

There sure is:

How to replace your fuel lines

If you look farther down in the article, you'll see that I show how to prepare and install the braided fuel lines.

The braided fuel line I got from Spectre on Amazon and it's still available there.

[WingAdmin]

Oh, DUH. I just realized that you're writing about the brake lines, not the fuel lines.

OK. The brake lines can be bought many different places. The ones I got were from Venco Wings - and while they're a bit more expensive than the ones you can get elsewhere, I think the quality really makes up for it.

I didn't actually photograph when I did the process, so unfortunately I never did a how-to write-up for it. It's not that hard however. I used a Mity-Vac attached to the calipers to suck all of the brake fluid down from the reservoirs until there was no brake fluid left in the systems. I then unbolted the old lines and replaced them with the new lines, taking care to route them the same way (this is especially important on the rear line, where it runs very close to the rear tire). Then I filled the reservoirs and again used the Mity-Vac to suck the fluid down into the calipers and bleed them. That's about it!

[NKYWinger]

H-E-LUSA.com has sets of S/S brake lines in a number of colors - they have 'em for all Wings.If you are also a member of ngw.com you can get 10% off. $147 (before discount) for my 83 with free shipping. Check 'em out...

[dawgout81]

Thanks for the information on the brake lines? Once again, you guys are always so timely and helpful....awesome!

Question: Wingadmin.....you mention the Mighty Vac often. Where would you direct me to find one of those?

[WingAdmin]

Thanks for the information on the brake lines? Once again, you guys are always so timely and helpful....awesome!

Question: Wingadmin.....you mention the Mighty Vac often. Where would you direct me to find one of those?

Cheapest place I know for them online is at Amazon.

[RoadRogue]

I went with the lines from HEL-USA ,they are of good quality and fit. I am very happy with the improvement in braking

[littlebeaver]

I found mine at a local Harbor freight store...Forgot what I paid but it's a great tool.. I have a question can't someone use a auto type steel brake line, custom bent to fit or will the fittings not work? it won't flex but if its fitting right it won't need to.... then maybe you could by a braided wire cover to fit over it for looks, will that work? Has anyone tried it yet? That would be cool if it did work...

[littlebeaver]

There sure is:

How to replace your fuel lines

If you look farther down in the article, you'll see that I show how to prepare and install the braided fuel lines.

The braided fuel line I got from Spectre on Amazon and it's still available there.

I'm glad I'm not the only one....

[NKYWinger]

I also got my Miti Vac at Harbor Freight - surely a time saver......

[NKYWinger]

Dang! Looking at when I first posted to this, I guess I'm bit behind the power curve in finally putting them on... LOL
[attachment=2]DSC_0004-004.JPG[/attachment]
Since the front OD is smaller then the factory original, I used zip ties to keep the speedo cable next to the left brake line.

[attachment=1]DSC_0003-003.JPG[/attachment]
The rear was not much of problem.

[attachment=0]DSC_0002-005.JPG[/attachment]
7/82 manufacture date! Yikes! Almost 31 years old! I'll feel better with the new braided stainless lines.

The hardest part of the whole job was removing the fairing to get at the fittings - dang, there's a lot of connectors! LOL

[WingAdmin]

The hardest part of the whole job was removing the fairing to get at the fittings - dang, there's a lot of connectors! LOL
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Removing the fairing?!?

I never did that to put the stainless lines on my 82! Just removed the cover from the bottom of the tunnel, worked from below, in between the shocks, and fed the lines upward.

[NKYWinger]

Wingadmin- Perhaps; but as an ol' submarine sailor, I HATE working in cramped quarters! I just took the fairing off to make it easier....I need to do some other things while it's off anyway.

I'm hoping for a much improved brake feel - I've rebuilt the calipers and m/c's; added EBC pads and had the rotors turned. Can't think of anything else I need to do to the brakes.

[littlebeaver]

I bet it's going to feel like brand new now....Did it cost alot to have them turned...Machine shop do it..? I understand if it did,,,I had it done once to my Yamaha XS 11 and My eyes got all bloody after I got the Bill... I could have easily bought a new rotor for as much as they charged me..I had to pay them too...

[NKYWinger]

beav-

These are the folks to talk to: http://www.truedisk.net/
They were responsive to all my questions, quick on the turn around and very reasonable on their prices. I recommend them in the strongest of terms I think I paid somewhere around $175 to have all 3 rotors turned and the rear rotor drilled as well.
Give 'em a shout - they will do you right.

[WingAdmin]

Wingadmin- Perhaps; but as an ol' submarine sailor, I HATE working in cramped quarters! I just took the fairing off to make it easier....I need to do some other things while it's off anyway.

I'm hoping for a much improved brake feel - I've rebuilt the calipers and m/c's; added EBC pads and had the rotors turned. Can't think of anything else I need to do to the brakes.

I guarantee you'll notice a huge change, it will feel completely different, solid, powerful brakes, you'll be amazed.

[NKYWinger]

admin-
You say the same as all the others who've switched to the braided stainless, so my expectations are high! I lookf forward to that first ride
My goal this year is to hit WingDing and all district conventions (KY, WV, VA, NC & TN), so I'll be putting some miles on the bike - good, solid brakes are reassuring!
Dan Filipi over at classicgoldwings.com did a great write up on adding an HID headlight to an 1100, so I'm considering that, simply from a safety and security aspect. I want to be around to ride for a long time; gotta do what you can to make yourself visible to the cage drivers that just don't see ya....

[fixbikes]

Some of the work I do at the shop is mods, like extended front ends and different handlebars, etc., most of which require longer than stock brake lines. I found a local shop that makes braided stainless lines for industrial applications. I take the existing brake lines to them, tell them how much extra length I need, and they make them on-site (one of my trips to them, the gentleman who does them said, "If you need it right away, it'll be 15 minutes or so.", and yes, he is aware they ARE brakelines, and as such they average a 10 to 1 safety factor [ burst pressure 10 times higher than expected working pressure]), and they are relatively cheap as you supply the ends, last Harley one done was 11" over stock length and cost $35. Boss Hogg wants about $60 for a stock length, rubber flex hose.
Downside is you can have any colour you want as long as you want stainless, and there is a coloured thread woven into the stainless (think kermantle rope with the coloured yarn woven in to denote strength and suitability as life line) to mark strength.

[SteveB123]

. I take the existing brake lines to them, tell them how much extra length I need, and they make them on-site (one of my trips to them, the gentleman who does them said, "If you need it right away, it'll be 15 minutes or so.", and yes, he is aware they ARE brakelines, and as such they average a 10 to 1 safety factor [ burst pressure 10 times higher than expected working pressure]), and they are relatively cheap as you supply the ends, last Harley one done was 11" over stock length and cost $35.

A quick read through the Transport Canada appropriate section (TSD 106) shows no labelling requirement beyond the manufacturer of the end fitting...and even then, I'm not sure it applies. Wow. No "DOT" or "Transport Canada" certification required anymore on brake lines!....just that they are able to pass the requirements, not that they have passed.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safe ... _e-687.htm

I only bring it up because our company does a lot of work on backup gensets, and everything has to be certified to meet Code. Trying to get certified (ULC or CSA, in our case) components for genset fuel systems is a freaking nightmare. Can't get certified 1000F hoses under 1/2"....can't get ANY certified fusible link valves....so everything is Code "variance"....and $$.

Interesting.