Make your own brake lines

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waltmil
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Make your own brake lines

#1 Post by waltmil » Sat May 21, 2016 4:16 am

I am finally in the process of upgrading to 4 piston Triumph calipers and have a problem. My bike has a radial style m/c from a Suzuki I think, installed by a P.O. My problem is the brake line banjos do not fit properly, the lines have to be twisted to put them on the calipers. This is not a problem with the calipers but the lines. Apparently the P.O. did not see this as a problem and twisted them to install. I have not yet found anyone local who makes custom brake lines and have just now sent an email to Galfer. I may have to roll my own and it is out of my comfort zone. Has anyone else done it?
Red/White US '84, Spec II pipes, Y-boot w/K&N, Fox Shock, Mikuni carbs?

yamasukiman
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#2 Post by yamasukiman » Sat May 21, 2016 5:37 am

Venhill make lines to any length in 25mm increments.
The banjo's screw on and come in any number of angles and orientation.
I use the "uptheshop" on eBay and they are excellent.

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South_Oz
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#3 Post by South_Oz » Sat May 21, 2016 6:45 am

You can get DIY kits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScSiOBb9brY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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JonW
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#4 Post by JonW » Sat May 21, 2016 8:47 am

One of the ebay guys did me custom lines, adding length or different ends was no problem, all the same price.
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waltmil
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#5 Post by waltmil » Sat May 21, 2016 1:42 pm

Thanks for the tips and encouragement, I will keep going on it but I was hoping to test ride it before my knee surgery on Tuesday. The surgery shouldn't be a big deal, the doctor thinks it is a torn meniscus. He is going to do an arthroscopic but I will be on crutches for a while.
Red/White US '84, Spec II pipes, Y-boot w/K&N, Fox Shock, Mikuni carbs?

RuZty
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#6 Post by RuZty » Sat May 21, 2016 10:42 pm

I've got lines and fittings from Earls to do my own, it's just plumbing. Do it right (after taking the time to learn what that is), don't cut corners and don't use cheap parts. You'll be fine.

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JonW
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#7 Post by JonW » Sun May 22, 2016 12:38 am

bear in mind that not every country allows you to use screw on fittings, certainly no Aussie state will allow them for the road, they need to be crimped. Also if you build your own they dont have the DOT/ADR tags that some inspections require for road reg. We all know they dont need any of this, but the govt can sometimes mandate this stuff...
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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nzminis
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#8 Post by nzminis » Sun May 22, 2016 3:27 am

yeah same over here in NZ , has to all be crimped
had to change heaps over , they love to put them on bikes in japan

RuZty
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#9 Post by RuZty » Sun May 22, 2016 6:11 am

Good point on legality, I forgot about that. Over here it only has to pass inspection when changing ownership or if you get pulled over and the cop decides it looks like a mobile death trap.

waltmil
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#10 Post by waltmil » Sun May 22, 2016 10:30 am

Well, here in the good old US of A, as long as it doesn't involve firearms(which are legal)it seems to be anything goes. As for me, I plan to play it safe. However, I am going to take a little chance with my existing lines. They have kevlar outer sheathing and, after I got them off and untwisted, they seem to be in fairly good shape. So I put them back and am in the process of bleeding them. I just want to see if they are 'feely' or still slightly 'wooden' which would make this whole exercise moot.
Red/White US '84, Spec II pipes, Y-boot w/K&N, Fox Shock, Mikuni carbs?

justind97
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#11 Post by justind97 » Sun May 22, 2016 1:26 pm

HEL USA is located in Florida. Not sure where, but that's close enough!

waltmil
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#12 Post by waltmil » Sun May 22, 2016 7:45 pm

Well, I got the brakes bled and the forks back together . All ready to go but the blue front fender. The free fork brace didn't exactly fit so I didn't have the fender mounted. Tyraps to the rescue, feels secure enough so I went for it. The new brakes are one/two finger and have a good feel, couldn't ask for better. I will try to get the fender painted and properly mounted while my knee heals.
Red/White US '84, Spec II pipes, Y-boot w/K&N, Fox Shock, Mikuni carbs?

hablair
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#13 Post by hablair » Mon May 30, 2016 7:36 am

TBH I wouldn't make my own

If you get it wrong and your brakes don't decide to work or the fittings or hose fails you could be in a whole world of hurt

I leave brakes to the experts, not saying you're wrong just advising against it

RuZty
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#14 Post by RuZty » Mon May 30, 2016 7:58 pm

Personally I would rather make my own than buy custom made ones as I know and trust my own standard of work. I care more about the reliability of my brake lines than anyone, if you use the right tools, follow instructions and pay attention it isn't hard. I do understand that not everyone is comfortable with this or there may be certification/legality issues. Since these applications do not suit a generic aftermarket line made for a specific bike the Venhill lines mentioned above are about the most flexible option you will find. They make the line to your length with fitted ends to take thread on banjos that you choose to suit your application, just make sure you measure carefully and allow for suspension movement.

waltmil
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Re: Make your own brake lines

#15 Post by waltmil » Tue May 31, 2016 5:03 am

I have since gotten a quick and positive reply from Galfer USA. Their standard kits do have end user adjustable banjos and will send instructions. I will probably have to go with custom as I think my Triumph calipers make the standard lines a couple of inches(4-5cm for the metric folk)too long. If I had the tools I could probably make my own but I don't. I think the line kit from Galfer was $98US +$7 for custom. Seems fair to me.
Red/White US '84, Spec II pipes, Y-boot w/K&N, Fox Shock, Mikuni carbs?

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