Why you should switch to Stainless Braided Brake Lines

[Sidecar Bob]

If your bike is more than 6 years old, your rubber brake & clutch lines should have already been replaced. If it is 20 years old, you are taking your life in your hands driving it.

Rubber brake lines are only designed to last for 5-6 years. They deteriorate due to ozone in the air, ultra violet from sunlight, and contact with brake fluid.

Have you ever wondered why brake fluid turns red/brown after a couple of years? it's a combination of oxydization caused by the moisture that finds it's way through the porous rubber and rubber particles suspended in the fluid. I think it is obvious that this reduces the incompressability of the fluid, and thus impairs the function of the brake. Not to mention what can happen if the water boils because the caliper gets hot.

Stainless steel braided brake lines are NOT made with rubber. They are made by braiding stainless steel wire over a teflon tube. The process is almost identical to the rope braiding machines I operate at work.

Teflon is NOT porous. It will not allow any contaminants into the fluid.
The braided wire covering protects the teflon tube from damage and also increases the stiffness of the already dimensionally stable tube.
They use stainless steel because it does not corrode.
See www.goodridge.net

I recently sold my '78 GS400. I put a braided ss line on it in '87 and last changed the fluid in '90. When I took it out of the shed after sitting for about 8-9 years, the fluid was barely darker than new and the brake worked perfectly. (NOTE: I would recommend replacing the fluid before using it on the road after that long, even with a braided ss line.)
My GoldWing sat about the same length of time before I got it, and the fluid had actually crystalized in the rubber lines.

One more thing: longevity & price

Rubber lines should be replaced about every 2-3 fluid changes (every 5-6 years).

Stainless braided lines should last forever unless mechanically damaged. See this link: http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/goodridge/warranty.jsp

Stainless lines are usually cheaper than than original rubber ones too. Partsfish wants $133.70us for the clutch line for the Nighthawk, and I paid about $100cdn for stainless.

[the chef]

Thanks a bunch for the info here !!! I was going to do this , and know I know why !! the chef

[Zryder]

Thanks ScB , I know what I'm going to be doing with in the month . ( Z )

[mmstingray]

I've used Galfer on my '85 Interceptor. Curiously, they only seem to have them for the '79 GL1000s.

http://www.galferusa.com/MOTO.html

[Annie's Boyfriend]

anyone know where I can buy these over here in Holland or Europe ??

This could be next on my list too, after new motads, dyna ignition an coils.

(for which I found the right resellers here )

Bart

[Sidecar Bob]

I would try the same thing as I do here: Go to a local bike dealer and ask if they can get it for me.

I don't know if they have the same system in Eorope, but in North America there are a bunch of aftermarket parts distributors (Dennis Kirk, Motovan, &c) that send their catalogues around to all of the bike dealers. When you need something the dealer looks it up in the catalogue and orders it for you.
If you have a good parts counter person, they show you what is in the book and what the prices are so that you can make a good decision.

[Dougal]

I made my own stainless hoses for the 1100, just brought the parts form a local motorcycle dealer. Its really not a hard job to do, and you know they will fit right.

Dougal

[robin1731]

I'm like Dougal. I have made my own line's for the race bike's for years. I have replaced rubber line's with the stainless line's and also found the the piston's return to open position easier. The wheel actually had less drag after replacing the line. Maybe just because the rubber was that bad or the stainless is that good. Making them yourself is easy. You might get a strand of steel to poke your finger once in awhile when putting them together but the pain is worth it. LOL

[sumblink]

i picked up a set of goodrich on ebay for 89.00 usd.should be here in another week or so.i was told that the feel of the new lines will impress me,no more spongy feeling and more responsive.
you really can see the old lines grow or swell under pressure.energy that is lost to my calipers.
now if i can just get it running.lmao

[octane]

anyone know where I can buy these over here in Holland or Europe ??

Hey Bart

I got mine on Ebay from HAWG SHOP
(Hope you can understand a bit of German)

Octane

[Annie's Boyfriend]

Thanks, Octane.

Yes I do understand German also, I live near the german border....

I'll give them a try, hopefully soon...

Bart