Braided hoses and bleeding ABS help

[Matt Padgham]

My 1100GS is 98 ABS model and I'm thinking of fitting braided hoses. I'm assuming that braking should be improved after original lines must be some what worse for wear (though bikes only done 46k).
I'm a bit uncertain about which procedure will be easiest to bleed the system including the ABS circuit after fitting new hoses, I understand that it is possible to bleed the system by sucking through calipers with vacuum pump but will this bleed ABS ok? Alternative seems to be to fill ABS reservoir with adapted cap etc, is this a safer bet.
Has anyone out there done either recently and had success?

 

[Colban]

Did the same thing a few months ago on my 1150 with ABS.
Fitted HEL lines and bled normally.There are also bleed nipples on the ABS pump which i bled as well.Initially felt spongey,but after leaving the bike overnight with the front brake lever tied back towards the grip,the air escaped and the sponginess went.

 

[edzt]

I can second that, did exactly what Colban did. Tie-wrapped the brake lever
back hard as I could.
Left overnight, it worked a treat

 

[BruceyBonus]

Remember to push the pistons back as far as they will go into the calipers before you start to bleed them. Sometimes helps to hold them there by wedging a piece of wood or a spanner between the pistons when doing the initial bleeding too.

Good luck

 

[Matt Padgham]

Thanks for the positive advice, looks like I've just got to find the cash for the brake lines - would like to go for HEL but v. expensive - worth it?

 

[motobiker]

Thanks for the positive advice, looks like I've just got to find the cash for the brake lines - would like to go for HEL but v. expensive - worth it?

They are definitely NOT worth it if you are expecting a huge improvement in your brakes... to be honest after having them fitted to my bike I can't say I noticed any real difference.. maybe there is - but its too subtle for me to notice. The GS isn't exactly noted for having 'needle sharp' brakes. And I can't remember the last time I used them in 'anger'

I replaced them because of this post. http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showpost.php?p=861239&postcount=1

As my bike lives outside and is now 8yrs old - I thought it a sensible upgrade. erring on the side of caution. I could see with my own eyes the way the original line flexed.

 

[Matt Padgham]

Thanks Tony, my bike also lives outdoors in all weathers and it was the concern about worn lines which prompted my original post!

 

[Matt Padgham]

Still not sure whether to get hold of a vacuum pump to aid bleeding the whole system including the ABS or just assume that I will be OK using the good ol' fashioned method of bleeding with tube and jar etc.
Mixed info from the searches I have done, some say pump not needed others swear by it making life easier when bleeding ABS system
Any comments?!

 

[nunesaf]

Thanks Tony, my bike also lives outdoors in all weathers and it was the concern about worn lines which prompted my original post!

Replace them quickly - it happened to me what Steptoe says and I drove from Dover to Leatherhead without from brakes and they split near the fender.
Put HEL lines, but you do have to send them your old lines so they make sure it will fit!
They aren't cheap, but could you find cheaper??? Guess not.

 

[nunesaf]

Still not sure whether to get hold of a vacuum pump to aid bleeding the whole system including the ABS or just assume that I will be OK using the good ol' fashioned method of bleeding with tube and jar etc.
Mixed info from the searches I have done, some say pump not needed others swear by it making life easier when bleeding ABS system
Any comments?!

It will make your like easier, but you can live without it. I can't get the brake leaver firmer with the pump. Though apparently I have a chronicle case on my brakes.

If I were you, I would buy those bleending kits with a valve. They cost 15 quid on Halfords. You can get cheaper on ebay - 10 or so

 

[motobiker]

Put HEL lines, but you do have to send them your old lines so they make sure it will fit!

Yes... thats what i was told. And thought it was ridiculous - particularly as they sell them as a kit in their on-line shop. So one would assume they would know what was needed without having to see the originals with all the inconvenience that would entail.

In the end i went for Goodridge. The price difference was only pence. I went for stainless steel fittings. Took 3 weeks from order to delivery. Oh.. and there was no extra charge for the top line to be 35mm longer than stock (I fitted Risers at the same time)

 

[BruceyBonus]

I ordered a set of HEL brake lines for my R1100gs direct from HEL. No mention of me having to send the old ones as a pattern
They arrived only 2 days later but .... they sent the wrong ones and I'am still waiting for the correct ones

 

[Stewart H]

No need to spend a load of cash on a vac pump for your annual fluid change, just get hold of a couple of big plastic syringes and some plastic tubing (I am told Vets or Aquarium shops sell them) I use a syringe to empty the reservior then connect a full one to the bleed nipple with some tubing, open nipple then keep constant pressure on the syringe, empty the reservoir as needed, they can easily be used to pull fluid through the system too.

Stewart

 

[nunesaf]

I ordered a set of HEL brake lines for my R1100gs direct from HEL. No mention of me having to send the old ones as a pattern
They arrived only 2 days later but .... they sent the wrong ones and I'am still waiting for the correct ones

There you go ' you should have sent the old ones.

I can say the guys (Dave and Gordon) were really helpful. But at a point in time they said if I didnt send them the old lines they would not assume any responsibility on the fittings. I had to bite my tong and spent 2.3 hours to go to the post office and 1.8 pounds later they were on its way.
The fitting I must say was perfect... except on the T junction next to the fender as I had to overtorque it in order to seal the circuit