New SS Front Brake Lines Arrived Today,.... URGH!!

[joejeweler]

Well, today i was excited when my new braided SS front brake lines arrived. The old rubber ones hadn't given me any trouble and were still pliable, but i'd owned the bike for 6 years and had never changed them. It's possible, with the low miles on the bike, that they are the original 30 year old lines!

New lines were called for, and a nice upgrade on my '82 GS850GL was finally getting done as i plan to keep her for awhile.

Today was THE Day!

The new SS braided lines "reek" of Quality! Nice SS banjo connections and bolts, with super strong crimped on SS furrels. I got the lines with the black outer coating and the plain SS banjo color, similar to the original color scheme.

So i take the Vetter fairing off, disconnect both front caliper connections and drain out all the "old" fluid. It wasn't that old, actually, for i replaced it all a few weeks ago when i got the bike on the road, and again a week ago after i rebuilt both front calipers.

The right side lower hose i completely removed and set aside, clean the connection points, and bring one of the two lower hose sections into place. These were easy to know where they went, as they have the rubber grommet around them that positions the hose near the caliper end and snaps into place.

Both of the new lower hoses measure 22 inches, and as i get the right side routed to begin the hook up,......something is VERY wrong! TOO SHORT! URGH!!! The old hose measures 24 inches, and those missing two inches bring the project to a complete halt.

Better check the upper hose,.....and i disconnect the banjo bolt coming from the master cylinder at the 2-into-1 junction, (leaving it connected at the master cylinder), and then pull it carefully up and out so as to get a measurement on it's length. The old one comes in at 23 inches. The new one only 16.25 inches! WTF???? :-s A full 6.75 inches short, and NO WAY to change the routing to make up for that amount.

I confirm that even a "straight" line connection from the master cylinder to the 2-into-1 connector is impossible! (the old shortest way from point "A" to point "B" routine), so i know there is NO routing possibility to search out further.

BUMMER,.....have to hook up the old hoses again, and refill the lines, until i can get my new lines exchanged out for the proper lengths. I just installed a set of SS "Speed Bleeders" yesterday, and using those were a joy!

However, filling a completely drained out brake line proved to be a bit slow without a little help. I decided to clean up the far end of my 3 foot long 1/4" clear bleeder hose (fuel line actually), and used my mouth to create as strong a vacume as i could.

With pumping AND creating the vacume, fluid began to flow out the right side speed bleeder in very short order! After a few inches of fluid was showing in the hose, the sucking vacume was discontinued and unnecessary and the line bled easily. The left side speed bleeder required no sucking the hose, and bled out very quicky. (had to top off the master cylinder several times during the fill and bleeding)

I think the most frustrating part was i had inquired before i ordered the lines as to my bike's fitment, and was assured there should be no problems.

So either someone missed the old "Measure TWICE,...Cut ONCE" class , or their database specs on this application was entered wrong originally or another application was mistakenly pulled when they processed my order.

Anyway,......looks like i have another fun filled 3 hours to do,....HEL All Over Again!

Just curious if this has happened to any of you?

 

[Guest]

What brand of hoses? From who?

 

[joejeweler]

What brand of hoses? From who?

It's in the post, toward the end but i thought it better to "mute" it a bit.

The lines are a great looking product,.....just a mixup so i don't want to hit them too hard.
I fully expect to be sent the right lengths now that i've noted them and sent the info to the company.

Mistakes happen, but i've had a HEL of a day!

 

[Guest]

Ah i see i just installed a front hose kit i got from Speigler when i ordered them the guy had me measure each hose and compared them to the numbers they had because they had never made a set for my model (82 gs750 with antidive)and they didn't match so they made them to the actual measurements i gave them and they fit perfectly i wil be calling them again for a rear hose and clutch hose. I looked at the brand you got but i went with Speigler because they were less money and comparable quality.

 

[joejeweler]

Ah i see i just installed a front hose kit i got from Speigler when i ordered them the guy had me measure each hose and compared them to the numbers they had because they had never made a set for my model (82 gs750 with antidive)and they didn't match so they made them to the actual measurements i gave them and they fit perfectly i wil be calling them again for a rear hose and clutch hose. I looked at the brand you got but i went with Speigler because they were less money and comparable quality.

I thought about the Speigler hoses, but didnt like the aluminum banjo fittings they usually use.

The HEL hoses all use SS banjo fittings and bolts, and they talk about the dis-similar metal oxidation that often accurs when stainless braiding and aluminum banjo/bolt fittings are used together. (although the brake calipers are aluminum???)

.....and i just like the thought of stainless steel at that juncture,.....personal preference mainly i suppose.

Racing is a bit different application, as lightest weight is sought and race class bikes get part changes much more often than a street/touring bike, so the aluminum banjo fittings work well there.

When i later order a rear brake hose i plan on taking a measurment first,....just to be sure!

 

[Guest]

Yes the aluminum vrs ss banjos were a consideration however the fact that they are hard anodized should prevent any problems

 

[Nessism]

Sorry for all the hassle.

One of the reasons I like Earl's lines is you can configure the length any way you want.

 

[joejeweler]

Sorry for all the hassle.

One of the reasons I like Earl's lines is you can configure the length any way you want.

Thanks,.....i'll get over it,......but it is frustrating for now.

Are they the lines you make up yourself? I thought about doing that, but like the machine pressure crimp on the factory stuff.

 

[rwcfrank]

IS it possible you are supposed to run one line from the master to the right caliper and use a double banjo bolt to tun the short line from the right caliper to the left caliper????

 

[joejeweler]

IS it possible you are supposed to run one line from the master to the right caliper and use a double banjo bolt to tun the short line from the right caliper to the left caliper????

Nope, the two lower hoses BOTH have a rubber gromet to hold the hose in the clamp near the caliper, so it's obvious they follow the stock arrangement.

......and the way you describe would need a very long hose!

The top hose (no rubber gromet) won't even reach the 2-into-1 middle of the bike connector, no way in HEL it will reach down to the brake caliper!

 

[rwcfrank]

Got it! I used the HEL hoses before and they worked great. I am sure you will get it worked out.

 

[Nessism]

Are they the lines you make up yourself? I thought about doing that, but like the machine pressure crimp on the factory stuff.

Yes, garage built. According to the Earl's store owner (AN Plumbing), the screw-on hose ends have a higher pull off force than the crimp on (they sell lines both ways). I've pull apart some screw-on hose ends before, and when you do you can see how the hose end pinches down into the inner teflon hose area thus creating the seal. At any rate, good luck and hope you get your hoses sorted out.

 

[Guest]

Ordered my SS hoses from Z1, (Goodridge) not one problem.

 

[Nessism]

Ordered my SS hoses from Z1, (Goodridge) not one problem.

I have Goodrich lines on one of my bikes and while they are fine, one of the lines leaked at first until I tightened the hose end REALLY tight - much tighter than the others in my set. The banjo's attach with flare fittings which need to be crushed down into a matching taper in the hose end before they seal properly. In my opinion these lines are easier to assemble than Earl's lines, but not as reliable in my experience.

 

[Guest]

Sorry Goodrich that is lol

 

[joejeweler]

Well,....i spoke with the line tech today and must say Jim at Moto-Heaven was very nice. I explained the problem, and he's getting a new longer set out today,....probably have them tuesday with the holiday weekend.

I later thought about what might have caused the mixup,......and then it hit me! I suspect their line database is set for the GS850G and similiar models with the regular straight handlebars and front fork configuations!

The riser/pullback handlebars of my "Cruser" style model (GS850GL) certainly would explain why the upper hose leading from the master cylinder to the 1-into-2 connector was short by 6.75 inches. All that rise and pullback equate to extra inches between the brake lever and connection point!

Additional, i believe i read somewhere that the GS850GL models had a bit more "Chopper" angle added to the steering head and forks which might explain the 2" being short for both lower hoses leading to the calipers.

I sent a bit more detailed email off to Jim, so that they don't mess up their "standard" database on the regular GS850G specs.

 

[hampshirehog]

Yep, if you ordered them for an 850G and not an 850GL they won't fit.

 

[joejeweler]

Yep, if you ordered them for an 850G and not an 850GL they won't fit.

Well,....i DID order them for my '82 GS850GL, and even inquired ahead of time as to whether their listing info covered my model.

.....was told there should be no problem. (and if so they would take care of it)

Hehe,.....i'm thinking maybe mine is the first GS850GL they've come across.

btw,....just got a tracking email from USPS that my package (longer lines) will ship today. Nice.....

 

[hampshirehog]

Sounds like you've found somebody there who will put things right with no fuss. Getting to be a rarity nowadays - the customer is always wrong seems to be the new adage over here anyways.

 

[joejeweler]

Sounds like you've found somebody there who will put things right with no fuss. Getting to be a rarity nowadays - the customer is always wrong seems to be the new adage over here anyways.

Pretty rare over here also! But those that do get my repeat business and recommendation.

Brings to mind an incident last night at a local Burger King. I was at a counter waiting for my order, and a lady was already at the counter demanding to speak to the manager????

Frankly, this lady was HUGE, maybe 425 to 450 pounds! (and should not be wearing tight fitting pants and blouse) Anyway, when the manager came up to the counter she explained that she had been at the drive thru and ordered FOUR Double Cheezeburgers/no pickle, and had only recieved single patties on them.

.....when she came into the store to get it corrected the clerk sent the burgers back to add the missing "2nd" patty on each burger. The lady was NOW complaining that one burger would be hot, and the other too cool for her liking!

......the manager said he would personally make up 4 new double cheezeburgers-no pickle for her! I like his style!!!

......although the thought did cross my mind that the possibility did exist that the "missing" 4 beef patties had been there originally, only to have been detoured via gullet to the woman's anatomy. :lol:

Cynical,.....probably. But given the fact that i doubt ANY sandwidch lasts long enough in her hands to even cool down, makes me believe she is not the cheezeburger conniseur she purports to be!

The BK manager was a good guy, however, and i go there often.

I guess it's true what they say at Burger King, "Have it your way". NO Pickle for her!!!