Brake line replacement

Disaster Area

Well-known member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Oct 11, 2006
Messages
4,372
Reaction score
368
Location
New Zealand
Hi all,
I'm planning to flush the brake fluid on my '94 R1100. I was just going to do this the old fashioned way by pumping the new fluid through with the brake lever, opening and closing the nipples as I go.
Can anyone tell me how much liquid is in the system? This is so I know how big a bottle to buy!

Secondly, what are people's opinions on replacing the brake lines? I'm not sure I can afford braided ones this soon after Christmas, so has anyone replaced with more rubber ones? If anyone could tell me the Goodrich reference number I'd appreciate it. I might try going through an auto parts place rather than a dealer.

If I do replace the lines, is it just a question of unbolting the old ones, bolting on the new ones and then replacing the fluid? I assume I will have to bleed from the ABS unit as well as the calipers?

I know there are lots of posts on this already, and I've watched the Youtube videos, but asking again can't hurt!

Thanks,
Ben
 
20 year old brake lines !!!!!!!!! Replace Replace Replace asap
 
Hi Ben.
Like above replace hoses (melvin.de) cheapest I seen about €100 , and half litre DOT4 should be enough . Val
 
I replaced the rear brake line on my R1100 with a new standard BMW part, stainless feels very hard on the rear brake pedal, no feel (Wooden), all the front were changed to stainless, got them from motobins all fitted well no hassle :thumb2
 
Did mine

With a Goodridge stainless set all you need is in the box.
With the 1100 abs there are only two bleed screws one for each circuit front and rear on the ABS unit.
 
Thanks for the advice

I've read the manual and everything I can and haven't seen where it recommends replacing the hoses - it just mentioned it under unscheduled maintenance.

Has anyone tried to bleed the system without a vacuum bleeder? I haven't seen one for sale anywhere in New Zealand!

Does anyone know the part number for the Goodrich braided lines? I'll ring the dealer on Monday, and post the prices of the parts so you can all have a laugh.
 
Disaster Area said:
Hi Adrian,
Can I ask where you got the Mightyvac pump from?
Click to expand...
Hi DA
I think it came from BNT or Repco a few years back.
I have a had alook on the internet but cannot find them here in NZ.
I did come across this though which is a good price and should do the job.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/tools-repair-kits/other/auction-826512008.htm

or

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/tools-repair-kits/other/auction-826570858.htm

Best of luck

Adrian
 
Thanks.
I'm going to pop into BNT tomorrow and see if they have the lines and a bleeder. If they don't then I'll get on the phone to
Motorworks.
 
I did mine without a bleeder. I got a 60cc syringe and some windscreen washer tubing and pushed the fluid from the calliper bleed nipples into the master cylinder. Worked easy enough.
 
The Danger

I repeat DANGER

With the rubber hoses is they deteriorate from the inside and break down out of sight. Sometimes you can see a balloon in the pipe when the brakes are applied
The internal breakdown often causes the brakes to bind on and or seize .If you are really unlucky they can balloon and bust failing with nasty consequences

I had a lucky escape with mine seizing the front brakes on.

If you trawl this forum you will find similar failures. One warning post from Steptoe alerted us to one top hose that normally goes first.

For goodness sake replace asap
 
There's a parallel thread running to this right now...

Brake hose thoughts
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388387
Brake hose thoughts


One tip I would give is to buy your brake fluid and if you can, leave it to stand for a few hours before you use it. The idea is to have the fluid as bubble free as poss. I tend to buy it the day before. After that, handle the bottle gingerly. In the distant past I remember this helping. If you rush back from the shop and start using it you can just introduce a load of micro bubbles that just seem not to go away when you're bleeding
 
No need for a bleeder or special prep for the brake fluid (though neither will hurt). Just tie back the brake lever after initial bleeding and leave it overnight. Worked for me when changing m/c and hoses on separate occasions.
 
Thanks for all of the advice. It's just annoying that we've got some fantastic weather at the moment and I'm taking the bike off the road! Hopefully I can get the brake lines in the next couple of days and crack on, slowly and steadily.

If anyone is passing and wants to lend a hand, I'll pop the kettle on.
 
Disaster Area said:
I've read the manual and everything I can and haven't seen where it recommends replacing the hoses - it just mentioned it under unscheduled maintenance.

Has anyone tried to bleed the system without a vacuum bleeder? I haven't seen one for sale anywhere in New Zealand!

Does anyone know the part number for the Goodrich braided lines? I'll ring the dealer on Monday, and post the prices of the parts so you can all have a laugh.
Click to expand...

If you do want to get something that is rather a neat solution to avoid kicking over the jar of brake fluid on the floor then I bought one of these from this chap a couple of years ago and it's really handy for doing the bike and the car. Incidentally I'm not the seller!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycl...823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43d394b7ef

Best wishes for 2015 all!
:thumb2
 
ive just been into the local branch of BNT. After 5 minutes of the woman typing the details (including the reg plate) into the computer, it was realised that I was talking about a motorbike and it wouldn't be on the system. They don't stock the kits and can't order them, they'd need the originals and make new ones to measure. Ditto the local BMW authorised dealer who told me horror stories to try and get me to book the bike in for them to do.

So, I'll give Motorworks a ring later tonight and order from them. At least that way, somebody in the chain of events will know what they're doing!
 
Hi DA
Did you get them ordered?
Mine took just over a week to arrive even though MW told me they might take 6 weeks as I was ordering a custom length.
It was also winter so that helped.

Adrian
 
ahebron said:
Hi DA
Did you get them ordered?
Mine took just over a week to arrive even though MW told me they might take 6 weeks as I was ordering a custom length.
It was also winter so that helped.

Adrian
Click to expand...
The Motorworks website says that the phone lines are closed until 2nd January, so I haven't ordered them yet.
Just sitting twiddling my thumbs until then!
 
Thought an update might be in order.
I've fitted the braided hoses and have started to bleed the system. Well, when I say started, what I mean is this. I've bled the back brake from the ABS unit, so I'm leaving that overnight to see if any more air comes to the top. I was happily bleeding at the rear caliper and then released that with the nipple 'closed' I was still getting bubbles coming out. Rather than stripping threads, I'm going to see if I can find a replacement. I started to do the front, but realised my 11mm spanner isn't quite 11mm, so I've stopped for the day and I'm going to buy a new spanner in the morning.

If there's one job I don't like it's bleeding brakes. Many, many hours spent on a '78 Mini has scarred me for life.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ChrisH Kerry
Brake Line replacement
Replies
4
Views
1,580
ChrisH Kerry
ChrisH Kerry
Longer Front Brake Line Required. HELP.
Replies
3
Views
816
John Armstrong
John Armstrong


Back
Top Bottom