Best place/make for braided brake lines?

**gunrunner** · 27th March 2011, 18:26

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** · 28th March 2011, 02:27

Originally Posted by 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

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

) 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** · 28th March 2011, 08:55

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** · 13th June 2012, 10:06

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** · 13th June 2012, 11:01

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** · 13th June 2012, 12:32

Originally Posted by Racey Rider

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** · 13th June 2012, 12:44

Originally Posted by vifferman

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** · 13th June 2012, 12:51

Originally Posted by Mystic13

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** · 13th June 2012, 13:07

Originally Posted by NinjaNanna

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** · 14th June 2012, 11:45

Originally Posted by Jonno.

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** · 15th June 2012, 13:08

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** · 15th June 2012, 13:32

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...84.m1438.l2649

**mossy1200** · 15th June 2012, 14:48

Originally Posted by 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...84.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** · 15th June 2012, 16:17

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.