Stainless steel brake lines upgrade: Difference between revisions

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"Just the front?!?" you ask? Yes, although if you like matching sparkly bits, go whole hog and do the rear as well. Any tricked-out larger street bike has 'em, why shouldn't you? Most of the manufacturers these days also have colored covers to match your bike's color. And since the majority of your braking power comes from the front anyway.... And, think about how the extra stopping power out back will affect your riding.

We thank Jim Race for the previous opinion. Here is an opposing viewpoint from Wes: ~~When you have rear SS lines, you have a direct connection between your foot and the brake pads. It's like a rod.~~

:We thank Jim Race for the previous opinion. Here is an opposing viewpoint from Wes:

When you have rubber lines, they flex outward as you apply pressure, on a slight time delay. So, it's like a rod on a spring. The older the rubber lines, the springier they are.

:*When you have rear SS lines, you have a direct connection between your foot and the brake pads. It's like a rod. When you have rubber lines, they flex outward as you apply pressure, on a slight time delay. So, it's like a rod on a spring. The older the rubber lines, the springier they are. SS lines give you ''control''.

SS lines ~~give~~ you ~~''control''~~. ~~[/Wes]~~

A generally ignored part of the service schedule is that OEM brake lines should be replaced every four years. So, if your bike is more than three years old, this should be part of your scheduled maintenance. The price is nearly the same, and with stainless you get a much better product. Board recommendation for life expectancy on stainless lines is five years.

~~A generally ignored part of the service schedule~~ is ~~that OEM brake lines should be replaced every four years~~. So, ~~if your bike is more than three years old~~, ~~this may be part~~ of ~~your scheduled maintenance. The price is nearly the same, and with stainless you get a much better product. Board recommendation for life expectancy on stainless is five years~~.

[http://cyclebrakes.com/ Cycle Brakes] is a good place to start. They have a lot of info on their site, different colors to choose from, and they carry all sorts of brake-related stuff.

All the ~~major manufacturers~~ ([http://www.galferusa.com/MOTO.html Galfer], [http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm Spiegler], [http://www.goodridge.net/usa/motorcycle.htm Goodridge]) are equally good. ~~You can also get ss lines made up from~~ a ~~reputable local hot rod/speed shop. Contact your local dealer~~, or use a ~~search engine to find out who sells them online~~. ~~There are other makers out there, too, so poke around~~. ~~eBay has dealers who carry parts as well.~~

All three of the top brands ([http://www.galferusa.com/MOTO.html Galfer], [http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm Spiegler], [http://www.goodridge.net/usa/motorcycle.htm Goodridge]) are, for most bikes, equally good. However, as of July, 2007 only Galfer has a kit for the EX250 (part #FK003D249 front, #FK003D249R rear); with Goodridge you'd have to use a universal line. This is generally not recommended. Spiegler claims to have a kit, but theirs is far from plug-and-play. It involves bending some of the fittings, and we don't like it because of that. Safety-related items should work right out of the box.

~~[http://cyclebrakes.com/ Cycle Brakes] is a good place~~ to ~~start. They~~ have a ~~lot of info on their site~~, ~~different colors to choose~~ from, and ~~they carry all sorts~~ of ~~brake~~-related ~~stuff~~.

~~All three of the top brands~~ sell through dealers. ~~These may be brick & mortar~~ or online. ~~Currently (July~~, ~~2007)~~, ~~only Galfer~~ has ~~a kit for the EX250 (part #FK003D249 front, #FK003D249R rear); with Goodridge you'll have to use a universal line~~. ~~This is generally not recommended for a novice. Spiegler claims to have~~ a ~~kit, but theirs is far from plug-and-play. It involves bending some of the fittings, and we don't like it for the inexperienced. Safety-related items should work right out of the box~~.

The manufacturers generally sell through dealers. Contact your local dealer, or use a search engine to find out who sells them online. There are other makers out there, too, so poke around. eBay has dealers who carry parts as well. You can also get ss lines made up from a reputable local hot rod/speed shop.

One thing to make sure and look for is that the line has a plastic covering over the steel braid. Without this, you run the risk of lines cutting through fenders, radiators, or even tires. This is generally not a problem. You'll probably be trying to decide what color your covering will be; just make sure that the line comes with one before you order.

Price is usually pretty cheap, somewhere in the US$50-60 range. Plus, you'll have the pleasure of knowing your braking systems (and hence, your safety) are up to snuff. Even better? You can easily do the upgrade yourself with simple hand tools.

Price is usually pretty cheap, somewhere in the US$50-60 range up front, slightly less for the rear. Plus, you'll have the pleasure of knowing your braking systems (and hence, your safety) are up to snuff. Even better? You can easily do the upgrade yourself with simple hand tools.

Why not? Be the first on your block!

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 "Just the front?!?" you ask? Yes, although if you like matching sparkly bits, go whole hog and do the rear as well. Any tricked-out larger street bike has 'em, why shouldn't you?  Most of the manufacturers these days also have colored  covers to match your bike's color. And since the majority of your braking power comes from the front anyway.... And, think about how the extra stopping power out back will affect your riding.
-We thank Jim Race for the previous opinion. Here is an opposing viewpoint from Wes: When you have rear SS lines, you have a direct connection between your foot and the brake pads. It's like a rod.
+:We thank Jim Race for the previous opinion. Here is an opposing viewpoint from Wes:
-When you have rubber lines, they flex outward as you apply pressure, on a slight time delay. So, it's like a rod on a spring. The older the rubber lines, the springier they are.
+:*When you have rear SS lines, you have a direct connection between your foot and the brake pads. It's like a rod. When you have rubber lines, they flex outward as you apply pressure, on a slight time delay. So, it's like a rod on a spring. The older the rubber lines, the springier they are. SS lines give you ''control''.
-SS lines give you ''control''. [/Wes]
+A generally ignored part of the service schedule is that OEM brake lines should be replaced every four years. So, if your bike is more than three years old, this should be part of your scheduled maintenance. The price is nearly the same, and with stainless you get a much better product. Board recommendation for life expectancy on stainless lines is five years.
-A generally ignored part of the service schedule is that OEM brake lines should be replaced every four years. So, if your bike is more than three years old, this may be part of your scheduled maintenance. The price is nearly the same, and with stainless you get a much better product. Board recommendation for life expectancy on stainless is five years.
+[http://cyclebrakes.com/ Cycle Brakes] is a good place to start. They have a lot of info on their site, different colors to choose from, and they carry all sorts of brake-related stuff.
-All the major manufacturers ([http://www.galferusa.com/MOTO.html Galfer], [http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm Spiegler], [http://www.goodridge.net/usa/motorcycle.htm Goodridge]) are equally good. You can also get ss lines made up from a reputable local hot rod/speed shop. Contact your local dealer, or use a search engine to find out who sells them online. There are other makers out there, too, so poke around. eBay has dealers who carry parts as well.
+All three of the top brands ([http://www.galferusa.com/MOTO.html Galfer], [http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm Spiegler], [http://www.goodridge.net/usa/motorcycle.htm Goodridge]) are, for most bikes, equally good. However, as of July, 2007 only Galfer has a kit for the EX250 (part #FK003D249 front, #FK003D249R rear); with Goodridge you'd have to use a universal line. This is generally not recommended. Spiegler claims to have a kit, but theirs is far from plug-and-play. It involves bending some of the fittings, and we don't like it because of that. Safety-related items should work right out of the box.
-[http://cyclebrakes.com/ Cycle Brakes] is a good place to start. They have a lot of info on their site, different colors to choose from, and they carry all sorts of brake-related stuff.
-All three of the top brands sell through dealers. These may be brick & mortar or online.  Currently (July, 2007), only Galfer has a kit for the EX250 (part #FK003D249 front, #FK003D249R rear); with Goodridge you'll have to use a universal line. This is generally not recommended for a novice. Spiegler claims to have a kit, but theirs is far from plug-and-play. It involves bending some of the fittings, and we don't like it for the inexperienced. Safety-related items should work right out of the box.
+The manufacturers generally sell through dealers. Contact your local dealer, or use a search engine to find out who sells them online. There are other makers out there, too, so poke around. eBay has dealers who carry parts as well. You can also get ss lines made up from a reputable local hot rod/speed shop.
 One thing to make sure and look for is that the line has a plastic covering over the steel braid. Without this, you run the risk of lines cutting through fenders, radiators, or even tires. This is generally not a problem. You'll probably be trying to decide what color your covering will be; just make sure that the line comes with one before you order.
-Price is usually pretty cheap, somewhere in the US$50-60 range. Plus, you'll have the pleasure of knowing your braking systems (and hence, your safety) are up to snuff. Even better? You can easily do the upgrade yourself with simple hand tools.
+Price is usually pretty cheap, somewhere in the US$50-60 range up front, slightly less for the rear. Plus, you'll have the pleasure of knowing your braking systems (and hence, your safety) are up to snuff. Even better? You can easily do the upgrade yourself with simple hand tools.
 Why not? Be the first on your block!