Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

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JFISHSOLEVIBE
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1972 GT380, 1972 and 1969 Honda CB175
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Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

Post by JFISHSOLEVIBE »

Hey guys -

Anyone upgraded their brake lines to steel braided and the like? The line housing on my front brake is starting to deteriorate and was wondering if anyone had a good source for a better than stock replacement, or if I need to replace the master cylinder with something modern.

Cheers!
John
Craig380
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

Post by Craig380 »

If you're not bothered about originality, a master cylinder upgrade adds a LOT of feel and power to the front brake. Last year I fitted a m/c from a Suzi GSF600, and the brake is now a two-finger job most of the time, or three fingers if you need to stand the bike on its nose.

Any stainless steel braided hose will do the job - just make sure the fittings ARE steel as it is possible to cheaper hose with alloy fittings. These are not suitable for brake applications.
1976 GT380 - wounded by me, and sold on
2006 SV650S - killed by a patch of diesel and a kerb in Feb 2019
2017 SV650 AL7 - naked and unashamed
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Coyote
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

Post by Coyote »

check out HEL brake lines. I used them on my cafe racer. Quality is outstanding. http://www.helperformance.us/motorcycle ... n-2/gt380/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.

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1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
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tz375
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

Post by tz375 »

Those are good brake lines.

There are lots of options at lower cost if you want something non-standard. I use a company out of Canada when I use a non standard caliper and master cylinder and need to specify the fitting angles and orientation and color choice etc. I always get blcak likes. They are thinner than stock but no one else seems to notice.

On mine, I use SV650 calipers and FZR master and CBR600 disks and it's a two finger haul down from over 100 at the end of the drag strip. It's enough to chirp the tire if I'm clumsy.

But for a straight line swap and flush, new stainless lines are a good start.
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Cliff
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

Post by Cliff »

I ordered a custom line from http://www.spieglerusa.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. New brake line and fluid made a world of difference!
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Coyote
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

Post by Coyote »

The HEL lines were custom made to my specs. Figuring all the lengths and end angles was a trip. The nice thing about those lines is you can actually turn the ends if something doesn't fit up quite right.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.

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1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
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jabcb
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550

Post by jabcb »

Another option would be a local shop that puts together a direct replacement to your existing brake lines.
You give them your old brake lines & they do the measurements.

You can get steel braided lines that look a lot like the originals except that the line OD is a good bit smaller.
If you use a local shop , its still worth checking out HEL & Spiegler to see what the options are.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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