New Brake Lines?

My Fazer 1000 is now 22 years old and still has beautiful stopping power. The only problem I get with braking is having to take care not to lift the rear tyre off the road when things get lively. I did fully overhaul the front calipers recently (new pistons as well as seals) and I have overhauled the master cylinder in the past. But the lines are perfectly fine. And they're the original non-braided Yamaha ones.

If you're getting soft lever action and you've done the fluid, calipers and master cylinder and bled the system, then I'd start thinking about the lines.

Triumph advise a lot of things that involve you handing them money...

Just in case: Anyone ever heard of lines suddenly splitting without warning?

If anyone has, I'll put an order in for my Fazer!!

I suspect you'd get a soft lever loooong before they would split.

 

Out of curiosity what mileage has the bike done and why are you replacing the disc,? Is it warped, worn below the service limit or has damage/pitting on the braking surface?

BTW from memory I think this may be a floating disk, if it is then spraying brake cleaner around the bobbins connecting the disk outer to its centre can help to loosen it up and give smoother breaking.

 

I thought about answering this earlier but didn't. All I will say is that it's a brave man that advises against renewing brake lines. It's a case of manufacturers have to recommend changing after four years to cover themselves but as people have said, how often do you see a split line ? I think it was more of a problem years ago on cars were brake lines would rust through. Personally I wouldn't bother if they looked in good condition and braking was good but I would never advise others not to renew, if only for peace of mind.

 

Hi TonyG, there are differences in the quality of stainless steel brake hoses, makes such as HEL are top quality and superior to the Triumph OEM ones, and they work out more cost effective than buying the Triumph ones, and it may be worth knowing Triumph do not manufacture their own lines anyway, they are outsourced, as long as the brake fluid is changed as recommended then a quality replacement stainless kit will last a lifetime, looking after the banjos and bleed nipples is also very important as these are usually first to suffer from the likes of corrosion, stainless steel does rust however if not looked after.

 

Talking about brake lines, I had arranged to go for a ride out with my 2 sons and one of their friends, however when the sons friend arrived I could smell the rear brake pads burning the friction material, he said he could not smell anything, I got out a paddock stand and lifted the rear, the disc was hot and clearly the rear brake was binding badly, I told him to leave it with me and I would take a look later on in the week, my youngest son gave him a lift home. Anyway as promised I had a look (his machine is a GSX 650), so off with the exhaust and rear calliper unbolted, I could see the issue straight away, it's not the worst I have seen, but it wasn't great. Anyway a full strip, clean and re paint, a new stainless piston, new seals, new retaining clips and a new HEL Stainless brake line, a bleed and she was as good as new, (all parts supplied by Wemoto)a little issue was thrown up, the new nipple had a different seat so would have leaked fluid out under pressure, luckily I had some OEM ones and duly fitted one. The rear brake had obviously never seen any sort of maintenance, he had not owned it long and it has low miles, a hard life all the same. Original rubber hoses deteriorate over time, they may look and perform alright, but the risk far outweighs the cost/benefit, as we know brake fluid is Hydroscopic and moisture gets in the system breaking down seals and deteriorating hoses, they are also prone to microscopic cracking, not always visible to the naked eye. Anyway the lad was pleased especially as it will only cost him a brew on the next ride out.

 

I currently have a 2010 Bonneville on original hoses, no problem. My 17 year old VW is currently on 275k miles with original brake lines, and would likely outbrake most bikes, stainless lines or not, on anything resembling a slick road. As has been said, largely arse covering exercise....

 

I have literally burst brakelines in the past...

So picture the scene, my lad and I are on offroad Beta bikes and he was struggling with a technique on an obstacle. I'd demonstrated the obstacle on my 300 and told him he needed more back brake before dumping the clutch so I said "do you want me to show you on yours?"
"Yes Dad that would be a good idea."

Now I'm sure you can guess the next bike and within minutes that was the end of the day.

Damage and deterioration does occur and inevitably weakens the flexible lines, but careful inspection should identify any issues. This inspection should also include mountings/clips and rub spots.
Any doubts just replace.

Husqvarna 125's into the kitchen around a corner and door handles can also create brake line issues but that's a few years ago.

 

Here is a driver in the hedge that tried to outbrake a bike, but admittedly it's not 17 years old, the car that is not the driver.

 

I thought it was a new speed camera site and tactic

 

Hi Eldon it was a tongue in Cheech moment, not my usual style, although speed detection is getting more and more creative these days along with the local authorities obsession with speed cameras.

 

Obsession with speed cameras .... umm or found an easy lucrative fund raiser.

Is it really about speed or money?

 

Money all day long