Bandit Alley

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MECHANICAL & TECHNICAL => Topic started by: fritobandito on October 07, 2005, 05:03:42 PM

Title: brake line
Post by: fritobandito on October 07, 2005, 05:03:42 PM

Dudes,

I have put a new set of bars on my '01 B12 which raises and brings back the mount a bit. This puts my front brake line in a precariously "stretched" position. Can anybody give me insight as to where to get a slightly longer line? Thanks in advance.

Title: brake line
Post by: Denverbandit99 on October 07, 2005, 05:41:37 PM

if it's a rubber line, any auto parts store will sell it from a reel, and you can just buy a section slightly longer than your current one. just make sure you get the right diameter

Title: brake line
Post by: PeteSC on October 07, 2005, 06:34:28 PM

This is a line that operates under pressure, and has special fittings.  Autoparts store stuff won't work. :wink:

   You can have a line made up at any local shop that makes up hydraulic lines for heavy equipment.   You should be able to find one in the phone book.
  I'd take the line with you...and make sure they can duplicate the 'banjo' fittings on the ends, or maybe use the ones on the old line.
   You'll need to figure out how much more length you want.
  You might as well go with braided stainless line while you're at it.

  There was one aftermarket company of braided lines for bikes that had special banjo fittings with a universal coupler on the hose end, and you could order a variable lenght mating hose to come up with the length and connector configuration you wanted.   I forget who that was, though... :duh:
  If you find a shop that makes up the lines inexpensively, might as well get the rest of them done.   The OEM rubber ones do degrade after 2-3 years or so.

Title: brake line
Post by: Red01 on October 07, 2005, 08:11:43 PM

If just a little longer (~1" or less) will do the trick, the hose from a 2000/earlier B12 is a little longer since they have a taller bar.

The BEST solution is to replace the front brake hoses with stainless hoses.

Title: brake line
Post by: fritobandito on October 07, 2005, 08:49:25 PM

Thanks. My local Suzi shop told me of a local brake shop that will make one up for me while I wait. I only need about 2 inches more.

Title: brake line
Post by: Red01 on October 07, 2005, 09:16:28 PM

Well, while you're at it and since you have to bleed the brakes for any new line you put on, it would be smart to take this time to upgrade to stainless.

Title: brake line
Post by: fritobandito on October 07, 2005, 09:20:54 PM

What would be the price differential between rubber and stainless? I'm not looking to replace the back ones at this point.

Title: brake line
Post by: Red01 on October 07, 2005, 09:25:10 PM

Ask the shop that'd be making them for you. I know when I had custom brake lines made locally for my Jeep, there was very little difference in the cost.

Title: brake line
Post by: PeteSC on October 07, 2005, 09:43:52 PM

FWIW,  the OEM Brake top brake line for the '01 is $26, the two lower ones are $33, each.  I bet you can get them made up locally a lot cheaper...

Title: brake line
Post by: turbo-bob on October 09, 2005, 10:02:55 AM

Quote from: "Red01"

The BEST solution is to replace the front brake hoses with stainless hoses.

And enjoy "better" brakes

Title: brake line
Post by: Red01 on October 09, 2005, 07:15:54 PM

Quote from: "turbo-bob"

Quote from: "Red01"

The BEST solution is to replace the front brake hoses with stainless hoses.

And enjoy "better" brakes

That's why it's the BEST solution!  :grin:  :bigok:  :grin: