Stainless Brake Lines

[Crossrodes]

After replacing my brake fluid I find that the fluid is contaminated again (it is turning dark) and I have only compressed the brakes a couple of dozen times.

I'm guessing the brake lines are marginal.  Where can I get stainless lines for a '79 R65?

[oilyrag]

Hello............
Well here in th UK you can use:

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/
http://www.motobins.co.uk/
http://www.james-sherlock.co.uk/

I am sure a list of USA suppliers will be along shortly!

[tagordon]

I had SS brake line made at a local hose supplier. They have everything from fire hose for water to industrial hydraulics & air lines. Cost was approx $38.00. Check your local phone book for hydraulic parts & supplies.

[MrRiden]

I got my lines from this outlet: http://www.helusa.com/
A bit pricey but service was extra fast. Amazing difference in the feel, but then I am comparing them to 25yr old rubber lines.
rich

[Crossrodes]

Good leads everyone.  Thanks.  I will try to find a local supplier.

[Bob_Roller]

Rich, do the lines have 'banjo' fittings and hollow bolts, or are they standard threaded end type fittings ?

[MrRiden]

Bob,
they were made up to fit like the stock hoses the upper hose with a banjo at each end. The 2 lower hoses were made with a non swivel threaded fitting at the top for the block and a threaded fitting to mate with the short caliper pipe at the bottom. I have an extra set of lowers with the end that mates to the caliper pipe as a "outie" instead of an "innie' they could be used by someone who was willing to make a new caliper pipe with the proper type flair on the end. Interested? I could run them over, just pm me.
rich

[Bob_Roller]

Rich, I was just curious, I've seen a few sets of hoses that had 'banjo' fittings for all the connections, and it just didn't look right !

[MrRiden]

like this
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m70/mrridden/?action=view&current=IMAG0033.jpg

[Bob_Roller]

No Rich, these fittings had the round opening that a hollow drilled bolt would go through, those look like the stock fittings the original lines cam with, or at least very close,

[MrRiden]

Yes, I've seen some mods where 'banjo' ends were put together to bring the second line over the fender or to have just 2 hoses at the master instead of a 3 hose & block setup. Hard for me to explain but I have a mental picture. Some of the sport bike folk I occasionally ride with have a setup using only the hollow bolt & eye fittings. I may try something like that when I find my barn fresh r65 for a few hundred bucks that needs a custom rebuild a la some of the cafe'd bikes others have shown on this forum.
rich

[steve hawkins]

My Cafe Racer has stainless lines with banjo fittings and is set up as described above.  I have a single line with a banjo on the mast cylinder side down to the right hand caliper.  I then have a long banjo bolt on the right hand caliper to take a second line over the fender to the left hand caliper.  I first saw this set-up on Suziki GSXR's from around 5 or 10 years ago.

You can get the banjo fitting with a bend on them, which will makes the setup look far more 'professional' down on the calipers.  You rarely see the BMW style fittings on any other bike.  The Banjo fitted allows you to double-up, instead of using a splitter.  It simplifies the fitment.

Cheers

Steve Hawkins

[thrang]

I've just ordered a set of S/S breaklines for the RT from Motobins came to about £60 with fittings and P&P.

[Crossrodes]

Thrang, I didn't see a listing for SS brake hose for the R65 on the Motobins web site.  Are the hoses you bought an unlisted item or did you use a set that is specified for another bike?