Best place/make for braided brake lines?

[virtual120]

I want to upgrade my brake lines to braided ones as ive read they are much better in improving the braking performance. Wheres the best place in NZ to buy them. My local dealer said to expect to pay around $400 !

Thanks
TIm

[AllanB]

Stupid price!

Try http://www.spieglerusa.com/

Or check out http://www.denniskirk.com put in your year/bike and there will most likely be several sets to choose from.

If ordering from off-shore make sure they are DOT or TUV approved (it will be marked on the lines) otherwise you'll never get a WOF with them.

Have a nosey at a Aussie bike magazine as there are advertisers who regularly feature in there for braided lines (usually work out dearer then USA).

Obviously allow fro the shipping cost too ex USA.

[98tls]

Local Suzuki dealer got me mine for $70 a line.Probably could have got them cheaper overseas but no doubt they wouldnt have had the correct numbers on them or similar bullshit.

[Big Dave]

Greenlane Speed Shop - Penrose Auckland does custom jobs.

[pzkpfw]

I was happy with these: http://www.helperformance.co.nz/ ( HEL )

A set of three lines ( I got red for the front and black for the back, they were happy to mix the colours) including new double banjo for the front (now I've got separate lines to both front calipers from master cylinder) and all washers and even stainless steel bleeding nipples was about $250. (About a year ago).

Though apparently I just beat a price rise.


(My one issue is that both front lines were the same length. With the master cylinder on the right, the right line is kind of slack but the left is kind of tight.

I've still got to get around to fiddling with the mounting of the left line, to see if I can loosen it; but in the long run may get a new one "custom made".)

[Jonno.]

Is there a difference in performance between brands? Or is a braided line a braided line?

[FJRider]

As I understand ... braided lines prevent the expansion of the brake lines on application, which reduces the actual pressure at the calipers. Not a large amount ... but it is there ...

Any difference with different braided lines would not be worth checking/measuring.

Just ... as has been said ... check they are approved for W.O.F.

[F5 Dave]

Alert engineering in Auckers does HEL as above post sez. Cheap & good quality + comes with DOT markings for WOF. Send your old lines to copy is easiest,


. . . . unless you have the stoopid Suzuki loop over fender line arrangement, then you need to get a duble banjo bolt & work out how long the 2nd line needs to be. Hold on, you may be able to use the double banjo from teh caliper & fit another single one in the other side.

[Grasshopperus]

Drury Performance Centre.

When my rear brake line burst he measured up, ordered and installed a new braided line complete with new banjo bolts. $140 all up. Talk to Mike.

[vifferman]

I want to upgrade my brake lines to braided ones as ive read they are much better in improving the braking performance.
Nup.
All they will do is make for less expansion of the lines when you brake hard - there will be no performance increase. If you want that, you'll have to change the m/c, calipers, and pads. And possibly the disks too.
In fact, braided lines can often seem WORSE than the standard rubbery ones, as they often impart a rather 'wooden' feel at the lever. However (but!) they're often worth installing for the improvements you get in bleeding the lines and eliminating air bubbles.
I changed the OEM lines on my VTR1000 (twice!), because the standard lines had a stupid 2-into-1 line to the front calipers, with a loop over the front mudguard. It was almost impossible to bleed the air out without an expensive vacuum bleeder. I installed some lovely Aerotek-BSR braided lines, with two lines from the m/c to each of the front calipers. After my first ever post on KiwiBiker, I then uninstalled them (and got my money back) and put some HEL lines on. The latter didn't feel or look quite as good, but had the requisite 'DOT' markings imprinted on the sides, so they passed the WOF.

[Jonno.]

Is it worth the 150-200 dollars for front braided lines?

[F5 Dave]

Depends what your existing ones are like. If they are old & spongy then yes without a doubt. Old Yams especially have very flexible lines as they age they get worse & it is impossible to get a good feel at the lever with those old lines, new ones make heaps of difference in that case.

[pritch]

A lot of what is said about braided lines is a bit out of date. Standard brake lines used to be rubber and steel was clearly superior. I read more recently that now some OE brake lines are kevlar, it looks like rubber but performs more like steel. You'd need to know what's actually fitted to your bike.

Having written that though I have long lusted after braided hoses and that itch has currently been scratched, they came standard on this bike...

[Racey Rider]

Time to get some made up for my RGV250. (For road and race use)
Why is getting two lines directly from the master cylinder, a better option than one line, with a 'T' in it just above the fender to link to the other calipar?

Cheers
Racey.

[Pussy]

Time to get some made up for my RGV250. (For road and race use)
Why is getting two lines directly from the master cylinder, a better option than one line, with a 'T' in it just above the fender to link to the other calipar?

Cheers
Racey.

There is no hydraulic advantage, it's just easier to refit the front wheel if you have to do it a lot...allegedly. I don't have any problem with the cross-over type.

[gunrunner]

Gaffer are the best , dont get them in NZ go on ebay or gaffer directly .
I put them on my Vmax when i had them only cost me $65 NZD on the bike ..

[miloking]

I want to upgrade my brake lines to braided ones as ive read they are much better in improving the braking performance. Wheres the best place in NZ to buy them. My local dealer said to expect to pay around $400 !

Thanks
TIm

I got carbon weave looking braided lines from Venhill (good brand, google it)....cost me about $120 USD on egay for front double line and rear line, including new chromed (shiney :D) bolts and washers etc.

Definitely improved braking feel during track days, once the brake fluid heats up a bit...so not just for decoration like some people try to tell you

Probably not neccesary on a rear but i like shit to match on my bike....

[SVboy]

I just got prices from HEL in Auckland for my K9 GSXR 750[150 plus gst] and my DRZ 400sm [85 plus] which is reasonable. Motomummy in usa can do Goodridge lines for $78 us. Spegler about $130 us iirc. I have goodridge on the front of my GSXR 600 and brake feel is a lot more 'direct' than the 750. K8-10 600-750 have a 'softer' feel than the k6-7. I am hoping the braided line will correct this. Those prices are for the fronts only.

[NinjaNanna]

I've just fitted HEL Performance lines to my Zephyr. After the earlier post about the 2 line system not being quite right length wise I simply asked the question and was told that FOR MY BIKE the lengths on file for a 2 line (race) system the line length difference was 20mm. In my mind this definately wasn't long enough. Armand would have been happy to make them any length that I wanted, but in the end I decided to go for the 3 line system and keep the factory splitter. This was primarily because I thought having 2 lines coming up to the master cyclinder would look naff on my bike. Unfortunately 3 lines cost more but thems the breaks (no pun intended).

I found Armand @ www.HELperformance.co.nz great to deal with. He makes the lines under license locally in NZ then tests and certifies them rather than being a "stockist" personally I think this is a great business model and I'd happily recommend them to anybody.

For the record I went incognito with black fittings and black line - they look good :)

[caseye]

My OLD Yamaha "coal burner" has had braided lines for the last 4 years.
Don't go to Sterling Brake and Clutch in Onehunga, they charged the earth.
However they did supply and fit 4 lines that were correctly marked for WOF purposes.
There is no longer a need to have braided lines fitted by approved installers, but there is still a need for the lines to be appropriately stamped.
The difference was night and day.
Once the old rubber lines came off the braided ones performed brilliantly, the feel and pull up power was much improved.
This has been the case with all of the people i know who have changed them over.
Old rubber lines can crack and leave you with no brakes.

[imdying]

Why is getting two lines directly from the master cylinder, a better option than one line, with a 'T' in it just above the fender to link to the other calipar?Some racing organisations insist upon it (actually I think there's an insistence that the splitter cannot be below the triple clamps, but it basically amounts to the same thing), but there is no performance difference.

[Mystic13]

Nup.
All they will do is make for less expansion of the lines when you brake hard - there will be no performance increase.


In my experience there is a marked improvement in performance when i've done it in the past. And just got another HEL set for me new old bike.

Improved performance stands to reason when you consider that the lines aren't expanding so all pressure is going to the caliper. I don't know how good the modern rubber lines are. I assume they are better.

I got orange for the front from the 26 odd colours to choose from. I don't really use the back brake much and certainly not to haul me up so changing that line makes no sense to me spending dollars I don't have.

Yes it came with new banjo bolts and washers.

[NinjaNanna]

I don't really use the back brake much and certainly not to haul me up so changing that line makes no sense to me spending dollars I don't have.

That's what I figured to - it's too easy to lock the back wheel as it is so definately couldn't see the point in spending $$$ on the rear line.

[Mystic13]

That's what I figured to - it's too easy to lock the back wheel as it is so definately couldn't see the point in spending $$$ on the rear line.

And given that I adjust the foot lever down to make it harder to use it's even less point. But like someone said above they like to have it look good. Can't argue with those values.

[GrayWolf]

Is there a difference in performance between brands? Or is a braided line a braided line?

I've got twin banjo braided lines on my ZZR1100. It makes them feel 'firmer' at the lever, so the 'flex' of the robber hoses is greatly reduced under hard braking. It does seem as if you require a harder pull on the lever, but that transfers to quicker stops... (remember a ZZR isnt a 'quick stopper' at the best of times). But it improved it noticeably under hard braking.

[boman]

I put a set of HEL braided brake lines, on my New Svthou. IMO it mad a great difference in braking, over the stock rubber ones. Whether it was because I went from one front, with a loop over the front guard,to two lines from the MC, or not I couldn't tell you.

But the improvement was there, right from the start.

[SimJen]

Apex brake and clutch make them in Hamilton. I plan to use them when I get to that stage with my cafe/bobber build.
I found a guy on ebay that makes them cheaply too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/330674423125?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[mossy1200]

Apex brake and clutch make them in Hamilton. I plan to use them when I get to that stage with my cafe/bobber build.
I found a guy on ebay that makes them cheaply too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/330674423125?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I just ordered a custom line from them but its only for bucket. Im not sure if his have rating stamps or not. It hasnt arrived yet.

[Haggis2]

I've just checked the LTSA Vehicle Inspection Requirement Manual and (I'll wait to be corrected) I cannot find any reference to DOT or E markings with being a reason for rejection on hoses - or lights for that matter. It sort of says as long as they are doing what they should be doing and are in good nick they're fine. Like I said, I'll await correction but that was how I saw it. :mellow:

[Haggis2]

Also I got a pair for the front of the VTR new off EBay from the UK for about $50 landed from memory.

[imdying]

I've just checked the LTSA Vehicle Inspection Requirement Manual and (I'll wait to be corrected) I cannot find any reference to DOT or E markings with being a reason for rejection on hosesIt's not, hasn't been for a number of years.

[Haggis2]

It's not, hasn't been for a number of years.

and lights?

[imdying]

and lights?Don't know, don't work in the light manufacturing industry.

[bsasuper]

Just get them from ebay, way cheaper.

[sil3nt]

$120-$140 delivered from ebay. Not exactly cheap. Not like I use the brakes anyway :rolleyes:

[DEATH_INC.]

If yer in Auckland, consider this guy. http://www.znoelli.co.nz/ Got some made up for My old Turbo, absolutely gorgeous :)
And they make lots of racecar stuff, so they know their shit.

And remember kiddies, cheaper isn't always better.....

[caspernz]

And remember kiddies, cheaper isn't always better.....

That was the logic I went by. Got braided lines custom made for my bike when it went in for its first service. Improved the feel over the OEM rubber lines and hey it looks kinda nice too...:niceone: