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
Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550
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.
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
2006 SV650S - killed by a patch of diesel and a kerb in Feb 2019
2017 SV650 AL7 - naked and unashamed
- Coyote
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550
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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1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
- tz375
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550
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.
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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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550
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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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550
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.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
- jabcb
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Re: Options for brake line upgrade GT380/550
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.
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
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