'81 gs550l swingarm removal - and need to vent a little :)

[jwegman]

While the bike ('81 550L) is on the lift for it's engine transplant, I've started the process of the swingarm removal - here what I'm going to accomplish:

- remove the original chain for cleaning/inspection - the bike only has 8k miles on it; was always stored inside. Am I wrong to expect more life out of an aged chain?
- degrease and overall inspect
- inspect / grease the swingarm bearings

So, I've got the rear wheel and shocks off and am now resigned to the fact that I need to open up the break system by disconnecting the break line to the rear caliper.

In order to remove the break line from the swing arm, It looks like I have to bend back some hefty steel tabs that fold over the break line securing it to the swing arm. Will these tabs break on me? I don't believe they have ever been bent back before.

I was really hoping to avoid opening the break system as I just flushed with fresh fluid not long ago... but I guess fluid is cheap - just wanted to avoid the mess really.

Regards,
Jake

 

[Baatfam]

You don't have to remove the line from the caliper....just remove the caliper from the swing arm....

And the line should just pop out of the holding clips, no bending necessary...

All that said...you are going to want to refresh the fluid anyway...and it wouldn't hurt to rebuild the caliper and master cylinder...and replacing the brake line is also a good idea...

Old brakes are bad brakes....

 

[Nessism]

Yup, tear down the brake system and replace those old rubber lines. Once the hoses are disconnected, you can pull them out easily without bending anything.

 

[jwegman]

You don't have to remove the line from the caliper....just remove the caliper from the swing arm....

To clarify, on my swingarm, near the pivot, there is a U bracket that the caliper support (torque link) attaches to. The brake line runs through it. I think I *have* to disconnect the brake line to remove the swing arm.

If you can look at the following diagram, you'll see the bracket on the far side of the swing arm (the brake line runs through it):
http://www.bikebandit.com/showschematic/m6085sch276056

Hmm, it looks like the oem rear brake line (69480-34503)is no longer avail (checked bikebandit, alphasports, and cyclepartsnation).

Regarding them sliping right out without bending anything, I don't think it's that simple either as this brake line has a steel spring and whatnot wrapped around it along with another layer of rubber at certain spots.

 

[doctorgonzo]

You don't want to install an OEM brake line anyway. Use a stainless steel one. Also, as Nessism said, should empty and flush the whole brake system every couple years, might as well do it now.

 

[jwegman]

Also, as Nessism said, should empty and flush the whole brake system every couple years, might as well do it now.

I actually flushed both front and rear a month or so ago which is why I needed to vent a little about needing to open the brake system

For this gs550, I'm dubious if stanless brake lines (at least on the rear) are any big improvement to get excited about...

 

[doctorgonzo]

I actually flushed both front and rear a month or so ago which is why I needed to vent a little about needing to open the brake system

For this gs550, I'm dubious if stanless brake lines (at least on the rear) are any big improvement to get excited about...

In braking, no, not really (in the front, yes, you'd feel the diference), but they look better, and you'll probably never have to replace it again. A rubber one should be replaced every couple of years per the manual.

 

[Nessism]

Make your own brake lines for cheap following this link... http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=114521

If you don't trust your own skills, Z1 Enterprises sells Goodrich premade brake lines.

Once you take the hose loose from the caliper and master, I'm almost certain it will pull straight out.

 

[jwegman]

Make your own brake lines for cheap following this link... http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=114521

Ah, very nice, I hadn't considered making a hose. Thanks fellas for all your input.