Paragon Performance Steel Braided Brake Line Kits (Review)

[AOD]

www.paragonperformance.com

I emailed these guys a few months ago expressing interest in beefing up my brakes on the GS 550, especially up front with only a single rotor. They have a deal if you send in your brake lines, or measure them out, they will make you a kit and sell you it for 50% off. Sweet deal!

I wouldn't reccomend this as a summer project, since you'd be without lines for a while, but I had a spare 550 bike, so I pulled the lines off it.

Old Lines:


New Lines:


They are DOT steel braided lines coated with a smoke colored teflon wrap. The kit included new crush washers and clips as well.

If you looked closely you'll also notice one of the banjo's was a 90-degree bend. Why?

The bike has drag bars, and to fit the front brake line in it has to bend very sharply around the clocks and handle bar. With a straight banjo it only makes it it worse.

Straight fitting, notice original line is cracked:


To fix this, I asked for a 90-degree bend, which I'm hoping they offer as a 'drag bar' banjo fitting for everyone else in the future:


No, they're not on yet because I'm sorting out the charging system, but I'm looking forward to that first squeeze of the lever.

~Adam

 

[Guest]

AOD, may I ask how much the lines cost with the 50% off?

Thanks,
Tony.

Also, now that they have the specs. for your bikes lines, they won't really require a send in for future orders of that model, right? Perhaps the deal is only for those models for which they don't have an off the shelf kit.

 

[AOD]

Right, I'm sorry I didn't clarify that. It's 50% off if they don't have your model on shelf already.

My kit was $56 + shipping, so if you were to pay full price you're looking at around $100. I think that's pretty fair.

You can also use the non-DOT brake lines, and it saves some money.

~Adam

 

[skreemer]

I looked all over thier site at dang near every break kit they offer... none went over 160$ from what i saw.

That's opposed to HEL who makes some very nifty brake kits as well but they are bloody expensive at 260$ US for a 3 line kit.

 

[Joe Nardy]

I sent them the measurements for my 1100E and got a three line front setup and a rear line for $86.

Joe

 

[AOD]

can't beat that!

 

[Jethro]

Yeah, I just sent them about 3 days ago the measurements for my 83 with the anti-dive units still in place (six line setup). I'm hoping they will give me a discount for that but I doubt it, since it's the same as the 81 kit listed with two additional 13" lines for the anti-dive units. Everybody says I should disconnect the anti-dive, but I don't notice any ill effects, and I kind of like how they look. Anything to make my 1983 bike look more high tech is good for me.

 

[skreemer]

when you guys take measurements ae you including the length of the banjo bolt also or just the hose length?

 

[Joe Nardy]

when you guys take measurements ae you including the length of the banjo bolt also or just the hose length?

I believe I measured to the middle of the banjo bolts.............

Joe

 

[Jethro]

In talking to them, they wanted overall length of the assembly. That is, end of banjo to end of banjo.

 

[Jethro]

Ordered myself a set today. Should be in in about 1 1/2 weeks. I have the six line setup, unfortunately they had it as a stock item so it ended up costing me 200 clams. If they are as nice as you all say, I'll be happy with what I spent.

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

The lines are not the expensive part The fittings are what make them cost $$$

 

[Joe Nardy]

Ordered myself a set today. Should be in in about 1 1/2 weeks. I have the six line setup, unfortunately they had it as a stock item so it ended up costing me 200 clams. If they are as nice as you all say, I'll be happy with what I spent.

You're welcome. :lol: I'm pretty sure they used the measurements I sent them when I got my HALF PRICE lines :lol: . Did they ask you about your handlebars? I have lower than stock bars so I gave them two sets of measurements. I also gave them the anti-dive measurements even though mine are removed.

Also, if you can get your hands on a power bleeder you'll save yourself a lot of time and aggravation getting new brake fluid through all the new lines.

Joe

 

[Jethro]

The set I got is listed as 1100G with anti-dive. I reviewed all the info they sent me and it seems to match up with my existing lines. I have lower bars, but the stock lines fit just fine, so I'll stick with the stock lengths.

I have a power bleeder, but still had problems bleeding the brakes with that damn anti-dive.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Just to add: Russell makes some nice SS lines too. Mine were made with PERFECT bends. Their chrome fittings are nice too. The ones for my '79 1000 (dual disc front) were about $115 and the rear $47 back in '00. Just another choice we have.

 

[Anonymous]

I have Russell on the GS1000. I went with a 90 degree bend, too, since I have drag bars. I had a straight one and it hit the front fender!

Mike