Brake line lengths?

**cowboyz** · 11th July 2008, 17:49

If you have 1 brake line coming out of the master cyclinder T-ing off to 2 does it make a difference if 1 of those lines is alot longer than the other or not?

ie.

.................................brake line 1.2m --- caliper
master cycl - brake line /
.................................\
...................................brake line 200mm -- caliper

Hope my little map stays in place when I post this.

**98tls** · 11th July 2008, 18:11

Wont you have one coming from master down to caliper then another shorter one crossing over to the other caliper.

**FROSTY:Me** · 11th July 2008, 18:15

Short version--its simple hydraulics you are dealing with nothing more.
within reason it make no difference

**NZsarge** · 11th July 2008, 18:21

Originally Posted by 98tls

Wont you have one coming from master down to caliper then another shorter one crossing over to the other caliper.

That's a Suzuki style set up and one I would change if I were to buy a Suzuki with that set up.
As for a single line from master branching into two I don't believe there there's too big of an issue there, it's the in series set up of some Suzuki's I don't really like.
The ideal set up is two dedicated lines from the master cylinder to each caliper I believe.

**cowboyz** · 11th July 2008, 18:27

ok. been doing some research on it.

It is actually for trailer brakes not the bike (but dont tell anyone)

Basically I have come up with if the system is closed (which braking systems are) then the pressure is equal everywhere in the system. Therefore it doesnt matter if one line is further away than the other which is mint.

Oh, and the series thing works on the same theroy. Closed system makes equal pressure so it doesnt actually matter where the lines go.

cheers

**98tls** · 11th July 2008, 18:40

Originally Posted by NZsarge

That's a Suzuki style set up and one I would change if I were to buy a Suzuki with that set up.
As for a single line from master branching into two I don't believe there there's too big of an issue there, it's the in series set up of some Suzuki's I don't really like.
The ideal set up is two dedicated lines from the master cylinder to each caliper I believe.

Dont tell me that ive spent ages trying to get this set up right

Brakes off mine are off a 05 Hayabusa with 5/8th master and ive had my problems believe me but finally have it sorted.

**NZsarge** · 11th July 2008, 18:46

Originally Posted by cowboyz

ok. been doing some research on it.

It is actually for trailer brakes not the bike (but dont tell anyone)

Basically I have come up with if the system is closed (which braking systems are) then the pressure is equal everywhere in the system. Therefore it doesnt matter if one line is further away than the other which is mint.

Oh, and the series thing works on the same theroy. Closed system makes equal pressure so it doesnt actually matter where the lines go.

cheers

I don't agree about the in series brake lines, if the first inline brake pads need to be squeezed onto the disc to obtain the proper flow on effect to the last set of calipers.....
I must stress though that not knowing the internal design of the first of the in series caliper on the likes of Hayabusa's and B-King's it might be premature to assume that they are indeed linked that way.

**NZsarge** · 11th July 2008, 18:50

Originally Posted by 98tls

Dont tell me that ive spent ages trying to get this set up right

Brakes off mine are off a 05 Hayabusa with 5/8th master and ive had my problems believe me but finally have it sorted.

Depending on the design of the calipers would'nt it have been better to run two dedicated lines?

**98tls** · 11th July 2008, 19:11

Originally Posted by NZsarge

Depending on the design of the calipers would'nt it have been better to run two dedicated lines?

Tried it with mine...makes absolutly no difference at all.

**bungbung** · 12th July 2008, 14:52

Look at the set up for a car, one line from the master cylinder to one side, then a cross-over pipe to the other side. It'll be fine, the system is self-balancing.

**Max Preload** · 12th July 2008, 19:49

Originally Posted by cowboyz

If you have 1 brake line coming out of the master cyclinder T-ing off to 2 does it make a difference if 1 of those lines is alot longer than the other or not?

Short answer... no. Longer answer... the pressure is equal enough but there is some lag in movement as brake fluid is not completely incompressible.

**imdying** · 14th July 2008, 13:14

Definitely makes no difference at all.

I've made thousands of brake hoses, and plumbed up hundreds of cars, and more trailers than I can count. Definitely makes no difference at all. Can make a difference to how you bleed it, but nothing to lose sleep over.

**vifferman** · 14th July 2008, 13:39

A lot of bikes come standard with unequal pipe/hose lengths.

**mashman** · 4th November 2010, 22:19

I'm nearly there, just need the front brake line to be extended about 5 inches.

Anyone know it it's easy to do? Anyone who wouldn't recommend it? Is it mechanically sound? etc

Cheers

**imdying** · 5th November 2010, 10:07

Originally Posted by mashman

I'm nearly there, just need the front brake line to be extended about 5 inches.

Anyone know it it's easy to do? Anyone who wouldn't recommend it? Is it mechanically sound? etc

Cheers

They'll just make you another. Find a local brake specialist or send it to me. About $30-35 for the typical motorcycle front hose.