Newbies idiotic brake question...

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Nate,

I had Craig at HEL make mine, and just replaced the entire section from the MC to the caliper, used the existing line loops to hold it away from the wheel and such...see picture below!



I can't remember the exact angles of the fittings, but they rotate,so it wasn't hard to align them to mount them.

As I've stated before, for the fronts, you can run just 2 lines all the way from the MC to the calipers, using a large/long bolt at the MC instead of the junction, will get you a cheaper costing set, most of the price is in the fittings, not the line/length!

T.C.

[daf1668]

Just found this company in Mi called Inline Tube. They asked me to bring in my lines and matched all three of the front lines with SS lines at total cost of $75.00.They have everything is stock, but need your old lines because they need to see the banjo angel.Very helpful on the phone and in person.

http://www.inlinetube.com

[Nubian]

Hey Nate,

I had Craig at HEL make mine, and just replaced the entire section from the MC to the caliper, used the existing line loops to hold it away from the wheel and such...see picture below!



I can't remember the exact angles of the fittings, but they rotate,so it wasn't hard to align them to mount them.

As I've stated before, for the fronts, you can run just 2 lines all the way from the MC to the calipers, using a large/long bolt at the MC instead of the junction, will get you a cheaper costing set, most of the price is in the fittings, not the line/length!

T.C.

My PO already replaced the front lines with SS. I want to do the same with the rear. I want to also take apart and clean both front and rear. What is the length of the rear line you had made? If I get it the same length in SS with rotating angle fittings I should be ok, right?
I also want to upgrade my brake system as much as possible, any suggestions as to better performing aftermarket parts, brake pads etc.....?

[fredintoon]

Ok, first off, I've never owned a bike with disk brakes, and secondly Ive never owned a bike newer than 1972! So, my problem is that after attempting to bleed the front brakes according to the manual, the lever is hard as hell to pull. What am I doing wrong? Are the calipers shot? Should I stick to working on drum brakes??

Hi Richard,
had to go to your profile to find your name and that your bike is an XS11G. It's helpful to edit your profile to build that data into a signature.
Lucky that you have a Standard, the Special's Weird Harold front calipers would really get you confused.
I'm with the rest of the posts, tear them right down & clean them.

[redbone]

yes to all, the brakes on these machines at 30ish years old can be notoriously fickle and sometimes downright ornery. just be patient, clean well and they'll work.