Braided lines

[SuperDave]

Right just got one simple question from those in the know.

I've purchased a couple of braided lines and the necessary bolts to replace my current stock brake lines for the front of my bike. The pamphlet that is attached to the new braided lines specifically states that it is 'absolutely necessary' to use loctite on the bolt's threads.

Now my question is simple, is this just to cover their arses or do I really need to use some loctite? If it is the latter would someone please explain why braided lines require loctite whereas my current stock rubber ones have been performed fine without it?

Thanks for the advice and yes I realise there's more than one question there.

[Colapop]

Oooo can I add to the above? Why braided lines? What is so special about them? Do they just look good? (not a p/t)

[Scouse]

Use Loctite

[bobsmith]

don't know about bikes... but when I skimped out on locktite the first time I assembled a RC heli... it sorta shook itself apart after a few weeks... do you want to try your luck with the brake??? if you're worried about having to take the bolt off later, use blue locktite. They shouldn't cost much (less than $10??)

[SuperDave]

Okay gave the instructions a closer read and I realise it was referring to where the lines meet the ringed bolt and where the O-ring is. I thought it was referring to the larger bolts that run through the ring clamping to the caliper units.

Thanks for the quick answer though zrxer.

And Colapop - I'm inclined to believe that the braided lines will further improve the braking and lever feel, I'm assuming that my lever will feel more crisp similar to how it feels after freshly bleeding my brake lines but this should now last much longer as a result of the braided lines with no expansion. I will find this out once I've fitted them I guess. Another thing to note if I'm not mistaken is that the manufacturer recommends the replacement of the stock rubber lines every couple of years as well.

[SwanTiger]

Oooo can I add to the above? Why braided lines? What is so special about them? Do they just look good? (not a p/t)

They are a performance modification. Usually your average brake line will expand and get worse over time and that obviously reflects on the stopping ability of the bike.

I might be slightly wrong, but that is the gist of it.

The difference between Hyosung brakes and a GSX-R brakes with braided lines is amazing. So I imagine stock lines to braided would be noticable.

[James Deuce]

I've never found braided lines improve feel. They improve power most definitely, as they don't expand as much as rubber lines do. A lot of people find that braided lines feel more wooden, but I think that is just because they provide you with decent braking force, right NOW, instead of the steady increase in power that standard lines do.

Braided lines improved my Z750's stopping power enormously.

[Colapop]

So the main degradation of braking power is the expansion of brake lines?(genearlly) I understand that pads degenerate over time and do disks (not as much), what about the other bits... Anyone got a Brake Systems 101 speak available?

SupD I assume you're ok now and I can hijack this thread? If not I'll p/o

[SuperDave]

So the main degradation of braking power is the expansion of brake lines?(genearlly) I understand that pads degenerate over time and do disks (not as much), what about the other bits... Anyone got a Brake Systems 101 speak available?

SupD I assume you're ok now and I can hijack this thread? If not I'll p/o

You can hijack it all you want, my questions have been answered. I should be fitting them tomorrow arvo so will be able to see the results first hand. So I'm expecting improved braking but I'm hoping they will also result in the lever remaining crisp, similar to how it feels after a thorough flush and bleed of the lines. But again, Jim2 didn't have that result when he got them done so maybe I'm expecting the impossible.

Pads in my experience either work or they don't, once the braking surface is all used up then its metal on metal and will start to fuck up your discs. One should never get to this point and change the pads before they are completely finished.

My old ZXR's discs were really pitted which resulted in crap stopping power.

[James Deuce]

Pads wear out. The stuff they are made of gets abraded away by the disks. The same thing happens to the disks over time. Probably expect a set of disks every 100,000kms for the average Joe, purely to meet minimum thickness standards for a warrant. Disks can also warp. GEt them too hot too quick, or cool them suddenly after getting them hot and you may warp the disk.

Disk calipers need regular cleaning to keep them working well.They are just pistons that push the pads onto the disk due to hydraulic pressure generated by pullling on the brake lever. The master cylinder on your handle bar contains hydraulic fluid which is forced through your brake lines. The fluid is hydroscopic which means it absorbs water. If it absorbs too much water your braking performance will degrade (brake fluid can boil - more water means a lower boiling point) so it needs to be changed regularly.

[Uncle B]

Upgraded your pads and fluid with the braided lines.
You'll have all the stopping power you'll need without any fade.

[Colapop]

Ta for that.

[Shadows]

They are a performance modification. Usually your average brake line will expand and get worse over time and that obviously reflects on the stopping ability of the bike.

I might be slightly wrong, but that is the gist of it.

The difference between Hyosung brakes and a GSX-R brakes with braided lines is amazing. So I imagine stock lines to braided would be noticable.

I always thought they were put on for looks, it never entered my tiny little mind that braided lines might actually be useful!
Now that it has been explained, it makes perfect logical sense.

[bugjuice]

under heavy use, regular rubber brake lines absorb the heat of the brake discs and pads as the fluid travels around. What happens to rubber when you warm it up? It expands. This is a contributing factor to brake fade when running hot (track days, fast coro loop etc). Braided lines have (effectively) a dual purpose, in that they cannot expand because they aren't rubber, and the braided stainless steel hosing also helps the cooling of the fluid too. To what effect for the latter, probably not much.

But either way, you keep a stronger brake feel for longer, vs regular rubber hosing.

If you don't push the bike hard and do track days etc, then it's just bling.

And yes, I'd use loctite. Put it this way - if the thread came loose, could you deal with it at the next time you stop and have tools? Bit of an obvious answer, but same applies to anything. If it's a critical part/screw/nut/bolt etc, then you want to secure everything you can, as much as you can.

[DMNTD:Me]

Now my question is simple, is this just to cover their arses or do I really need to use some loctite??

Have ya met Affman? Ask him dude...
Just had braided lines fitted to my ZX today. Never riden a bike with them before and got to say that they have improved my braking big time.
Money well spent...oh and sure they do look good too