Spongy Brakes

[ratbyk]

Ben, for my XS11 I ordered Spiegler lines directly from their web site. (about 4 years ago) Bolted right up. Lengths and banjo's were correct. Also came with the necessary crush washers and a tool that will allow you to rotate the banjo slightly if they do not match up properly to master cylinder or caliper.
For the rest of my bikes I ordered off Randy on this site. (go to members-locate Randy and order)
I simply measured up what I needed and emailed Randy. They took 2-3 weeks to arrive. Were good quality and I was pleased. I also had Randy make up braided stainless lines for my oil cooler as well. He supplied them and also collars that color matched my bike.
Ratbyk

[Shuriken]

Cool. I will have to do some more checking.

....

Update: I put the front end back together with the slotted rotors, new, non-oily pads, new fluid, and new master cylinder.

I now have good front brakes.

I like the new master cylinder because it has a viewing window and because the reservoir is not made out of plastic.

I will now put one of the old non-slotted front rotors on the back to replace the crappy one that's on there.

Ben

[eroellig]

I was looking at the Spiegler web site the other day. I don't see any way to order directly from them. There is a "Where to buy" tab that lists local retailers that carry their stuff.

Eric

[ratbyk]

Spiegler

Eric, I was just @ the Spiegel site and I didn't see how to order directly either. 4 years ago when I got my lines you could order directly. Maybe they are now out of the retail part of the business. Your local M/C shop should have a national distributor that you could order from. The desired numbers for XS11 standards are:

Model Year Remarks Position Qty PartNumber Price
XS 1100 78 - 83 orig. Rear 1 S-YA0133 $56.95
XS 1100 78 - 83 orig. Front 3 S-YA0134 $143.95

There is also numbers for specials as well.

Ratbyk

[xj11john]

Now I'm ready for ss lines as well.

who know the best place, and/or the lengths and part #s for the xj. or just the lengths and if I should go with a two part rear line or a 3 part. I dont know if it would be cheaper to measure the whole metal line with the short rubber one going to the propertioning valve, Would that be cheaper getting a long ss line to replace the tube line that goes to the rubber line since there would be less fittings?
Or would it be better to do away with the proportioning valve and just hook up the two front lines to the front caliper, anyone done this and found the best way?

any comments would be appreciated.

[TopCatGr58]

Nothing beats a stiff hose!!

Hey XJ11 John and BEN,

I know I posted about my new SS brake lines a few weeks ago, including the name of the web site, the cost, the GREAT customer service, etc.! Seems like folks aren't reading the threads or posts UNLESS it pertains to there immediate problem!?!?

SO.....after seeing RatByke post the prices for SPeigler for a complete front/rear set for $200.00, I just wanted to reiterate what I had posted earlier.

I got a complete set of lines and fittings, crush washer, bolts, and in a custom color, delivered for $196.00 which INCLUDED S&H!!!

I was able to contact Craig Nelms directly from the web site, requesting 4" longer lower front lines to compensate for my 4" over upper tubes, and they were done at NO EXTRA CHARGE! He even called my house to discuss and verify the lengths I needed!

Here's the link to the MAIN PAGE: http://www.helusa.com

Here's the link for the set they say should fit 79-84 XS11 Specials:
XS11 Special SS brake line set

John, I'll tell you that the MC I now have was designed for a single caliper system, and was very spongy, but after installing the SS lines, it easily can handle BOTH CALIPERS and is as hard as a rock, could do a stoppie IF I wanted to!

I replaced my 3 piece rear line with 1 single line, and again, it's just fine and very tight! A few others have separated their linked rear/front lines and got rid of their proportioning valve. The rear MC will put much more pressure into the rear when used by itself without the PPV, and so could be more easy to accidentally lock it up! But should be no problem running the lines the way you described!

[xj11john]

T.C.

Thanks for your responce and I did read your post, maybe not the one that described quite all the info you just gave, but was just fishing for the best price + tring to get some xj owners to chime in on the proportioning valve with their experiences, esp. with getting rid of it, with the rear lock up issue being the main concern.

I dont want to lock it up unless I'm tring to.

I also e-mailed Craige earlier today at Helusa and he called me a few hours later, he quoted 49.95 per line no matter the length on each line, so I am tring to decide if I want 3 or four lines, if I do get rid of the prop. valve that will save me $50.00, just as I said concerned with the lock up issue, and also will my old front master handle the two front calipers sufficiently?

Again, any XJ owners on here done any of this with Stainless steel braided lines, please I'm all ears.

Jon

[John]

You may want to get hold of some XS M/C's and swap them out with the XJ pieces. With the larger displacement of the rear M/C it will probably lock up the rear wheel very easily, and the smaller displacement front M/C may not be sufficient to properly apply the two front calipers. I know TC has a smaller front M/C, but his is also in optimum condition as it is fairly new. An older M/C may not be as efficient, and the force applied to the calipers may be diminished.

[eroellig]

Re: Nothing beats a stiff hose!!

Originally posted by TopCatGr58
Hey XJ11 John and BEN,

I know I posted about my new SS brake lines a few weeks ago, including the name of the web site, the cost, the GREAT customer service, etc.! Seems like folks aren't reading the threads or posts UNLESS it pertains to there immediate problem!?!?

TC, Thanks for the link. Been looking (searching) on the subject, but didn't see your post.

Eric

[xj11john]

John,

Thanks for your responce, those were concerns, and I agree.

I did decide to keep the linked system after ready "Jerry's" posts on the subject, and I agree that it works well, when operating properly.

I will end up getting 3 lines since the one that goes under the tank can go all the way to the caliper, and then the other two- one from rear master to rear caliper and the right front master to right front caliper.

Thanks again all for your comments.

Jon

[Shuriken]

Thanks TC. I'll check it out.

FYI, Spiegler responded to my email request with this:

"The front lines would be part number S-YA0134 @ 143.95 in clear line and silver fittings. The rear part number will be S-YA0133 @ 56.95 clear line silver fittings.

David Horn
SPIEGLER PERFORMANCE PARTS
1699 Thomas Paine Parkway
Dayton, OH 45459"

[xj11john]

ae7f,

T.C. is right Helusa is the co. to use.
For three lines, with one being 63" long- (being line to left caliper coming from rear master) was only $147.00 that includes bolts and all you need to bolt em up, and shipping. Craig is a very helpful and conscientious person, he will call you and make sure he has all the information to custom fabricate your lines before hand. I highly recommend craig at helusa, as T.C. also states here...

I was able to contact Craig Nelms directly from the web site, requesting 4" longer lower front lines to compensate for my 4" over upper tubes, and they were done at NO EXTRA CHARGE! He even called my house to discuss and verify the lengths I needed!

Thanks again T.C. for directing me to him!