Brake Hose

[DgM]

What is the hose length from the master cylinder to the splitter on a R65LS?  Is it the same length as a dual disc R65?

[Justin B.]

If I'm reading the parts ETK correctly it looks to be 260 mm.

[nhmaf]

Well, I think it depends on if you have low 'euro' bars or the high US bars on your bike..   I switched from US bars to low bars
and while it might be forced to fit if I could find a way to loop the extra hose length somewhere inside the fairing/behind the headlight, the
stiffness of the hose and the tightness of the necessary bend made it look like an undesirable situation, at best - I ordered a different
upper MC-to-splitter hose that was shorter/had a different number for the euro bar application - will try to find the part number if I can - it was a while ago..

[DgM]

Thanks.  I have the low narrow euro bars and the existing hose seems much too long for installation without loops and such.

[Justin B.]

Disregard what I said then, as that length was taken from the US ETK and I think the LS came with the touring bars on this side of the pond...

[DgM]

Did some measuring.  The existing hose is 9 1/4"+-.  The length hose to fit the brake line into the splitter without lots of twisting and/or looping will be about 6 1/4".  Will let you know how shorter hose fits...

[nhmaf]

I am not 100% certain, but I think that the two upper brake hoses, depending on your handlebar, are as follows (for 81-84 models, anyhow)
34 32 1 241 565        1981-on USA Bar/Upper        33.80
34 32 1 241 563       1981-on Euro Bar/Upper       30.68

I also found this one:
34 32 1 239 827        (9 5/8" = 24cm) R65-R65LS        22.83
which I suspect might be the original USA high handlebar hose, given the length, except that the price and number is different
from the USA bar model above..   I am still trying to find the slip from my parts order from a few years ago.

[DgM]

Anyone have the modern ATE number for the 20" brake hoses from splitter to caliper lines?  The numbers on old hoses are obsolete as far as ATE is concerned, and they don't cross reference by length but by application.  And they have no application for R65's.  BMW dealer lists BMW/ATE hoses at $96.  Each.  That's a lot of scratch for a rubber brake hose.  18" ATE brake hoses for German cars sell for $22. Same hose, just two inches shorter...   I know stainless hose is stronger, etc, just sort of looks out of place, old rubber hoses have lasted 25 years, expect replacements to last as long.

[nhmaf]

That seems an unreasonably high price for brake hose.

Try CapitalCycle go down towards the bottom of the page at this link)
http://capitalcycle.com/catalog_html/brake.html

I do business with them fairly often for BMW bike parts and the prices aren't bad.
For the most part, they know about the bikes, too.

It appears that they sell the 19.5" long R65LS brake hose for $30.11 each.
They also have stainless steel hose kits, though I bought my stainless steel
lines for my LS from Bob's BMW in Jessup, Maryland for a decent price.
The SS brake lines really do give you more stopping power.

[DgM]

Talked to Tony at Capital Cycles - priced at $32 each - reasonable yes!  Thanks for the info.

[montmil]

Since this is a current topic, I'd like to jump in with a similar but different hose length question. I apologize for drifting slightly off topic...

My 1981 R65 has what I would consider to be the low bar setup. There's a lot of extra cable between the brake lever and the union with the hard line tubing leading to the single front brake caliper - on the left fork slider.

I'd like to replace the OE hose with a new rubber (or maybe SS). I have measered my needs to be approx a 28" hose. That's from the end of the threaded hose fitting at the handlebar to the end of the threaded fitting where it meets the short length hard tubing going to the caliper.

Have a possible part number of 34321239826.  The fiche I'm looking at, A&S, has the description as Brake Hose 470LG and the part number. What's 470LG?

Just need a fresh hose with less length. As always, I appreciate the help.

Monte

[DgM]

The part number you refer to is what Capital Cycle lists as a 19 1/2" rubber brake hose.  34 32 1 234 699 is listed as a 27 1/4" hose that may run from MC to caliper hard line if you have 'American' handlebars yet is listed for bikes from 1974-1980.  Confusing?  You bet.  Call Tony at Capital Cycle.  He seems to know what is needed.

[montmil]

The part number you refer to is what Capital Cycle lists as a 19 1/2" rubber brake hose.  34 32 1 234 699 is listed as a 27 1/4" hose that may run from MC to caliper hard line if you have 'American' handlebars yet is listed for bikes from 1974-1980.  Confusing?  You bet.  Call Tony at Capital Cycle.  He seems to know what is needed.

Thanks for the tip and part number! I'll call Tony at C-squared on Tuesday; betting they're closed on Mondays like most scooter shops.  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

[montmil]

Tony at Capital Cycle has the stuff we need!

Thanks to "DgM' for his tip on this Washington DC area BMW parts vendor.

Quoting Dgm, "34 32 1 234 699 is listed as a 27 1/4" hose that may run from MC to caliper hard line if you have 'American' handlebars yet is listed for bikes from 1974-1980.  Confusing?  You bet.  Call Tony at Capital Cycle.  He seems to know what is needed."

Part number's close, DgM, but Tony steered me to a 69cm (approx 26.25") cable as my scooter has low bars; low as in 2.5" rise x 24.0" width. "What else you want?" sez Tony. OK, a new clutch cable (old one had the outer sheath torn at a very visible location near the fork upper plate) and a spare pair of valve cover gaskets. I'm done, Tony.

BTW, Tony told me that his SS brake lines are, "Only 3-4 dollars more than the rubber models." Sounds like pretty low prices considering his prices to me were about 60% of other vendors.

Check out his site at http://www.capitalcycle.com

[Justin B.]

OK, buy some of the stainless stuff and bring it down and compare it to my Moto-Bins hoze.  Currently, with exchange rate the way it is, they would be about $34.  How much is the Cap Cycle stainless hose?  Not trying to pick a fight, or ragging the FNG, but I am always looking for the best bang for the buck.  And, as my tank liner illustrates, sometimes I really blow it and totally miss the mark!