Any reason NOT to run brake lines direct from master cylinder to each caliper?

mr_magicfingers

mr_magicfingers

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As above. Considering just putting a double banjo bolt on the master cylinder and running a separate line to each caliper. I noticed someone else on here had done that and thought it a good idea, simplifying the system.

Hel won't send brake lines for a bmw unless I send them mine for measuring, which means time off the road I can't afford, but will send any line I state length of for the grand sum of £29 per line, all fittings included (full stainless too).

So, £58 for new lines up front seems a bargain. BMW didn't do it this way, but I'm wondering if there's any reason why I shouldn't.

Cheers,

J.
 
it might not look as neat, but otherwise, i don't think it matters.
 
If HEL wont do the job for you then use Goodridge instead. Which is precisely what I did. just specify stainless fittings. the price difference was pennies.

sounds to me what you're planning will end up looking like a 'bodge'. and possibly more easily 'caught and damaged' if the bike goes over.
 
It's the way you have to do it on race bikes(ie no splitters allowed), just find a stockist of the modular Goodridge system, you buy the suitable ends for your master cylinder and calipers along with the banjo bolts and then two pre- built lines of the appropriate length. No need to cut lines anymore and mess about with oilves etc.
 
What's he mean, "sounds like a bodge" :confused: Hoses fit down in between the forks, no where to get "caught & damaged" ? is there:confused:

when I fitted brake lines like this to my Yamaha Diversion, they were a pig to bleed. Had to leave the lever tied back overnight, I also spent quite a while flicking the lines with my fingers to hasten the bubbles rising to the master cylinder and freedom.
 
ELIMINATOR said:
What's he mean, "sounds like a bodge" :confused: Hoses fit down in between the forks, no where to get "caught & damaged" ? is there:confused:

when I fitted brake lines like this to my Yamaha Diversion, they were a pig to bleed. Had to leave the lever tied back overnight, I also spent quite a while flicking the lines with my fingers to hasten the bubbles rising to the master cylinder and freedom.
Click to expand...

Not doubting you there 'liminator but that does seem surprising I'd have thought that the more joins means the more places for bubbles to get stuck.. Having said that when I fitted a set of lines like these (to a fireblade) I cheated and used one of those hand pump gizmos to suck the fluid down from the cylinder and out through the bleed nipples on the callipers. Just kept going till bubbles stopped coming through. Was a ten minute job.

Safety-wise I think the theory is that having the lines going straight down to the callipers and not meeting at a joint clipped to the mudguard means they have more chance of surviving a prang in which the mudguard gets torn off. Neil can prolly correct me here but I think that was one of the main reasons why that rule got introduced.
 
ELIMINATOR said:
What's he mean, "sounds like a bodge" :confused: Hoses fit down in between the forks, no where to get "caught & damaged" ? is there:confused:

when I fitted brake lines like this to my Yamaha Diversion, they were a pig to bleed. Had to leave the lever tied back overnight, I also spent quite a while flicking the lines with my fingers to hasten the bubbles rising to the master cylinder and freedom.
Click to expand...


exactly... a bodge.


(i love this forum)
 
mr_magicfingers said:
As above. Considering just putting a double banjo bolt on the master cylinder and running a separate line to each caliper. I noticed someone else on here had done that and thought it a good idea, simplifying the system.

Hel won't send brake lines for a bmw unless I send them mine for measuring, which means time off the road I can't afford, but will send any line I state length of for the grand sum of £29 per line, all fittings included (full stainless too).

So, £58 for new lines up front seems a bargain. BMW didn't do it this way, but I'm wondering if there's any reason why I shouldn't.

Cheers,

J.
Click to expand...


I dont know where you are in London, but there is an Earls Hoseing suppliers in Queens Road Watford, I have used them a number of times they will either sell the fittings to make up your own or they can make them up for you in any lenght you want, with any type of fitting.
 
bowser said:
I dont know where you are in London, but there is an Earls Hoseing suppliers in Queens Road Watford, I have used them a number of times they will either sell the fittings to make up your own or they can make them up for you in any lenght you want, with any type of fitting.
Click to expand...

I'm actually working in Kings Langley, Watford, I'll look them up and give them a call. Cheers for that.

J.
 
Earls, Hel, Goodridge etc used to advertise double lines as a perfectly acceptable way to do it. I used to have it (Earls) on a CBR6 and it worked fine and was just the same pain to bleed. "Bodge" is a good word when so many folk seem to spend their time worried about how to polish their alloy GPS holders or similar:augie

Hel were fine to deal with for me and the standard lines are what Goodridge have as upgrades. + you can have any colour you want :blast oh, off down the shownogo route again:D
 
A big +1 for the Watford Earls shop. I haven't been there in over 10 years but if it's the same blokes running it then you'll be good to go in no time. Another good Earls shop is on the Silverstone circuit industrial estate.
 
CHANGELING said:
A big +1 for the Watford Earls shop. I haven't been there in over 10 years but if it's the same blokes running it then you'll be good to go in no time. Another good Earls shop is on the Silverstone circuit industrial estate.
Click to expand...

Contacted Earls and they don't seem to have a shop in watford any more, but if I take the bike to silverstone they'll measure them up and make them while I wait. Bit of a trek but faster than mail order and I know they'll be done right and will fit.

Sounds like the best plan unless I can find another supplier local to me. I have next week off so I need to get it done during that time.

J.
 
You can measure successfully using something like household electrical wire and copying the brake line routing and slack. Obviously you also have to take into account the lock to lock play. I expect that both lines would be zip tie-able until they make it to the steering stem.

It's always easier to tidy up a slack brake hose than to stretch a short one!
 
mr_magicfingers said:
Contacted Earls and they don't seem to have a shop in watford any more, but if I take the bike to silverstone they'll measure them up and make them while I wait. Bit of a trek but faster than mail order and I know they'll be done right and will fit.

Sounds like the best plan unless I can find another supplier local to me. I have next week off so I need to get it done during that time.

J.
Click to expand...

Can you let us know how much they quoted. Mine could do with replacing soon.
 
<<Mark_C>> said:
Can you let us know how much they quoted. Mine could do with replacing soon.
Click to expand...

They wouldn't quote because they haven't done an 1150gs before, but once I've been up there I'll let you know what it cost, they'll also be able to offer them by mail once they have my system sorted, at least for a non-abs bike like mine.
 
Found some info for you'all.
Watford Custom Hose Centre, 192 Queens Road, Watford.
Tel: 0923 225534.

That is the info I have from about 16 years ago when I bought oil cooler pipes for a GSX 1100 EFE special I built at the time.

Try it, I would like to know if they are still in business too...

http://www.customhose.co.uk/

OK I answered my own question here. Good Luck.
 
Last edited:
CHANGELING said:
Found some info for you'all.
Watford Custom Hose Centre, 192 Queens Road, Watford.
Tel: 0923 225534.

That is the info I have from about 16 years ago when I bought oil cooler pipes for a GSX 1100 EFE special I built at the time.

Try it, I would like to know if they are still in business too...

http://www.customhose.co.uk/

OK I answered my own question here. Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, I'll give them a call in the morning.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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