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Stainless Steel brake lines (front) and LSL bar risers - will stock length fit?

Started by Neoday2, February 10, 2016, 08:12:41 AM

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Neoday2

Hello,

My FJ has the LSL bar risers and a stainless brake line from the bar to the splitter. I want to replace the rubber lines from the splitter to the calipers.  Most people (and kits) are for two brake lines and a new double banjo from the brake MC. 

My question is this- for those of you with SS lines and bar risers- did  you have to get longer SS lines?  Or did the stock lengths work? 

I am open to keeping the splitter or running two separate lines.
1989 FJ1200

moparman70

I have risers on my 90 and put a set on that I purchased for an 86 -- just two lines so it eliminated the splitter.   They were stock length for the 86 and   have been working out fine without the extra length.

sc2
     

FJmonkey

You could get some hose/tubing about the same diameter as the brake line, route it and measure. That way you can compare if the stock lines will fit.
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

aviationfred

RPM is a Spiegler distributor. They sell both the LSL handle bar conversion kit and Spiegler stainless steel lines. Send Randy an email through the RPM website and ask him about line length.

Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

bikemad

I use "Venhill" from the UK.
They supply braided lines in any lengths required in 25mm increments.
You can also order a wide selection of banjos.
These lines screw together and are not one piece lines though.
FJ1100
FJ1200 3cv

racerrad8

Quote from: Neoday2 on February 10, 2016, 08:12:41 AM
Hello,

My FJ has the LSL bar risers and a stainless brake line from the bar to the splitter. I want to replace the rubber lines from the splitter to the calipers.  Most people (and kits) are for two brake lines and a new double banjo from the brake MC. 

My question is this- for those of you with SS lines and bar risers- did  you have to get longer SS lines?  Or did the stock lengths work? 

I am open to keeping the splitter or running two separate lines.

You already have the longer upper line that came with the LSL kit, you would be money ahead if you just replaced the lower two lines and leave the splitter.

Now would also be the time, prior to ordering the new line to upgrade to the blue dot calipers and order the lines for those calipers instead of the stock calipers.

If we can be of assistance getting you the Spiegler lower lines please let us know, we are a Spiegler dealer.

Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

Pat Conlon

Back in the old days when I converted the forks on my '84 to the '89+ forks and R-1 blue spots, I found that my existing SS lines (with splitter) worked on the blue spots by reversing the sides the lines were located on...

IOW, the stock lower SS lines should work fine with the blue spots..

I'm a fan of Spiegler lines :good2:
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

racerrad8

He does not have S/S lines for the lower section, thus the question.

Quote from: Neoday2 on February 10, 2016, 08:12:41 AM
... I want to replace the rubber lines from the splitter to the calipers...

If he is going to buy new lines, it best get the lower fitting without an angle for the side mount of the blue spots.

Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM

Pat Conlon

I understand...

Here's a 12 year old picture of my "84 with the off the shelf SS lines. These are the same lines I had on my bike when I had the oem anti dive forks and 2 piston calipers. The line angle of the caliper banjos on the R1 blue spots were not too bad.



However, yes, straight banjo fittings at the calipers would be better.  :good2:

I like how the Spiegler lines can rotate, or clock, the banjos to whatever position is needed.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

Arnie

Does anyone know if SS lines need to be replaced periodically like rubber lines?

Since the (tygon) inner tubes are covered with the SS braid, there is no visual indication of cracking or damage caused by age, but I'm wondering what the life expectancy or replacement period would be.


FJmonkey

Quote from: Arnie on February 11, 2016, 07:51:02 PM
Does anyone know if SS lines need to be replaced periodically like rubber lines?
Since the (tygon) inner tubes are covered with the SS braid, there is no visual indication of cracking or damage caused by age, but I'm wondering what the life expectancy or replacement period would be.

I doubt any of us that made the change will be riding long enough to see one fail due to age or proper use (manufacturing/assembly defect, maybe). Rubber is affected by the oxygen in our air, Tygon, an invented word (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tygon_tubing) not so much... The steel braiding also reduces fatigue from expanding and relaxing. What do I know, I am just a simple Monkey that likes to ride...
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

Pat Conlon

That's a good question Arnie.

I recall discussion back in the mid 80's about the issue that the braided ss lines could not get DOT or TUV certification. The lines could handle the pressures just fine but DOT/TUV was concerned about a build up of dirt under the braided skin causing abrasion and possible premature failure of the Tygon inner tube.
Only when the aftermarket folks put a plastic skin over the ss braid did they finally get certified.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

aviationfred

Quote from: Arnie on February 11, 2016, 07:51:02 PM
Does anyone know if SS lines need to be replaced periodically like rubber lines?



I know that I read somewhere that most braided lines use a Teflon based inner hose, and that they should last the life of your motorcycle.

Galfer has a Lifetime warranty on their brake lines.

Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

Arnie

Quote from: aviationfred on February 11, 2016, 10:07:37 PM
Quote from: Arnie on February 11, 2016, 07:51:02 PM
Does anyone know if SS lines need to be replaced periodically like rubber lines?


I know that I read somewhere that most braided lines use a Teflon based inner hose, and that they should last the life of your motorcycle.

Galfer has a Lifetime warranty on their brake lines.

Fred

So, if the line fails they give you a new one? :-)
Consider that our bikes are already past their "lifetime".

So far, the absence of known replacement timeframe is encouraging.

Arnie