Brake Failure (Oilhead)

[Bob_Roller]

I was on my way home this afternoon on the oilhead .

As I came up one major merging zone for traffic entering the expressway, a car cut me off, I got on the front brake and it seemed like not much was happening in the way of slowing down, thought I may have locked up the front wheel and slid a bit .

Got to my exit a few miles later, checked the front brake on the exit ramp and got virtually no braking and the lever went to the hand grip .

Mile and a half to home, so I got on residential streets the rest of the way home .

Got home and the front of the engine is wet with fluid, one of the rubber OEM brake lines failed at the swaged on banjo fitting .

Didn't come completely apart, but fluid was running out of the junction of hose and fitting .

I was thinking about getting replacement stainless lines when I was on vacation last year, but didn't get around to it .

I've had the bike since August, '02, I never thought one would fail like this !!!!!!!!!!!!

Something to think about, if you have 20+ year old OEM rubber brake lines .

I'll call Spiegler Performance tomorrow and order a set of front and rear lines .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Talk about a coincidence.  I was prepping Theresa's R1100R for our Wildflower Ride last week and saw fluid on the floor.  Pumped the brake lever a few times and watched the right front hose squirting out of the hose.  Called Spiegler and ordered new hoses front and rear.  Had a tech day with the local club on Saturday and got the install done.

Tech tip: place a safety razor blade in the fluid reservoir when you are bleeding the brake lines.  The blade will keep the fluid from squirting out of the reservoir when you pump the lever.  Be sure to remove it before you replace the cap.

[Bob_Roller]

Got a question for you Mike .

On my bike, a non ABS model, the line connection on the right lower fork leg where the line from the bleeder splitter, seems to go into a metal block, the swage fittings seem to be part of the block .

What does Spiegler do for this with their lines ?

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Bob, Spiegler provided a new block with 3 hoses correctly sized to replace the existing hoses.  The new hose fittings are chamfered and are compression fit.  The other end of the hose has a banjo fitting and new banjo bolts.  The package includes plenty of crush washers.

I bled the brake fluid first then started on the left front disk, replaced that hose, then the right front disk.  Don't torque the connections yet, just snug it up.  Then replaced the outlet line from the master cylinder to the disk, then the upper line from the reservoir to the master cylinder.  Tighten it all up to spec then bleed off the air.  Took me about two hours all told but should take an experienced mechanic like you much less.

The rear line was very easy.  Just remove, replace, then bleed.  Spiegler had stickers on the lines to show which ones are which.  Good luck!

[Bob_Roller]

I looked the brake line over a bit closer yesterday .

From what I saw, it looks like when the steering is at the full left stop, like when you lock the fork, the line that failed, has tension on it .

Has the appearance of being just a bit too short .

[montmil]

I looked the brake line over a bit closer yesterday .

From what I saw, it looks like when the steering is at the full left stop, like when you lock the fork, the line that failed, has tension on it .

Has the appearance of being just a bit too short .

I'd sure mention that issue to the Spiegler folks. They should add a bit of length to your brake line to help out an unhappy customer. Perhaps they might cut you a small discount, if you ask. Worst they could say is "no".

Here you are on a world-wide BMW forum sharing that Spiegler products don't fit properly and are a hazard to your safe riding... something to that effect.

[Bob_Roller]

The line that failed, was an OEM rubber line, that was 10 years old, not a Spiegler made line .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Dave at Spiegler asked me if I had bar risers or installed a different front shock.  He wanted to determine if he needed to make a longer line.  I've seen bikes with the stock line too short before.  A friend has an R1100S with stock lines that are too short.

[Red_Hen]

I interviewed Mattias Schaub owner - wrote a story for MOA about better brakes = better rides -  this outfit is top shelf - quality product, knowledgeable staff, fast delivery - not cheap but who wants cheap brakes?

[Bob_Roller]

Got the lines replaced yesterday, took about 45 minutes to replace the front 4 lines and the single rear line .

Much better brake 'feel' .

The oilheads have an eccentric adjuster for the brake and clutch levers, to 'fit' the controls to the rider .

I had to adjust the brake lever because it was too far forward after the brake line replacement .

If you are thinking about replacing your brake lines, get the braided stainless replacements, you won't be disappointed .

Price was $250 for all 5 lines, crush washers and a replacement splitter block .

A three line set for a dual front disc for an R65 is about $145 plus shipping costs .