Switching Over to Braided Stainless Steel Lines

nomadbob · 02-01-2015, 05:59 PM

I'm going to start switching my OEM brake lines and clutch line over to braided SS lines. I know I need new banjo bolts and washers for the connections on the handlebars, but do I need new banjo bolts for all the other connection points?

redjay · 02-01-2015, 06:28 PM

Not sure why you would need new banjo bolts ? Are the fittings on the end of the SS lines a different size than the originals ?

nomadbob · 02-01-2015, 06:47 PM

I think I have to so that the connections at the handlebars are chrome bolts.

paul · 02-01-2015, 07:24 PM

When you purchase your lines they will usually come with bolts. I think for astetics as well as a margine of safety, I would replace all the hardware, both ends. It's what I did, and it's just not that much more.

dshelly · 02-01-2015, 08:07 PM

Galfer lines come with everything. Just be sure to use the new crush washers.

VulcanE · 02-02-2015, 04:06 PM

My front brake lines, and clutch line are Galfer, and my rear brake line is Goodridge. They all came with new banjo bolts and crush washers.

nomad ryder · 02-05-2015, 12:25 PM

I'm curious as to why anyone would want to switch to ss brake and clutch lines. Is performance that much better, or is strictly aesthetic? Seems like it would be moderately expensive.

rick6375 · 02-05-2015, 01:29 PM

Rubber hose tend to exspand under pressure causing a mushy feel in the handle/peddle. Braided lines dont do this and are less likely to blow out in an emergency stop.

VulcanE · 02-05-2015, 03:36 PM

Plus, you'll never have to replace the SS lines.

TX1700 · 02-05-2015, 04:57 PM

Kawasaki Service Manual says to replace brake hoses every 4 years. So I will use replace mine with SS when it is time to replace. My Yamaha said to replace the brake hoses for the Roadstar every 2 years. I replace the after about 8 years with SS and boy could I tell the difference. The old hoses must have been expanding like balloons!

**a340driver** · 02-06-2015, 10:30 AM

The rubber inside a hose breaks down in time, and can also clog the tiny passageways of the fluid. Changing out the lines could save you even more time and $$$

nomadbob · 02-07-2015, 06:50 AM

All of the reasons stated are why I am changing over to SS. A buddy of mine has the SS lines, I just needed the banjo bolts and crush washers to complete the job.

Now I'll have new brake and clutch lines and all new brake fluid.

nomad ryder · 02-09-2015, 12:33 PM

OK, there's another project on the list.

Peg · 02-09-2015, 01:24 PM

Once a year Pashnit Moto offer a deal on their Galfer stainless kits... free rear brake lines with every front brake kit sold. If you don't mind waiting, you could get yourself on their mailing list?

Bud2rat · 02-09-2015, 08:20 PM

I just ordered new SS brake lines from Galferusa. Took the bike out yesterday for a short ride and noticed that the right front caliber started sticking. The bike has the original lines, so I thought now would be a good time to change and flush the system. I flush the system every 2 years.

02-01-2015, 05:59 PM	#1
nomadbob Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Posts: 74	Switching Over to Braided Stainless Steel Lines I'm going to start switching my OEM brake lines and clutch line over to braided SS lines. I know I need new banjo bolts and washers for the connections on the handlebars, but do I need new banjo bolts for all the other connection points? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-01-2015, 07:24 PM	#4
paul Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: magnolia, tx Posts: 1,500	When you purchase your lines they will usually come with bolts. I think for astetics as well as a margine of safety, I would replace all the hardware, both ends. It's what I did, and it's just not that much more. __________________ The beatings will stop when morale improves.
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02-01-2015, 08:07 PM	#5
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	Galfer lines come with everything. Just be sure to use the new crush washers. __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-02-2015, 04:06 PM	#6
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	My front brake lines, and clutch line are Galfer, and my rear brake line is Goodridge. They all came with new banjo bolts and crush washers. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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02-05-2015, 01:29 PM	#8
rick6375 Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Castle, In. Posts: 365	Rubber hose tend to exspand under pressure causing a mushy feel in the handle/peddle. Braided lines dont do this and are less likely to blow out in an emergency stop. __________________ 2005 800 Classic 2012 Voyager ABS
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02-01-2015, 06:28 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,950	Not sure why you would need new banjo bolts ? Are the fittings on the end of the SS lines a different size than the originals ?
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02-01-2015, 06:47 PM	#3
nomadbob Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Posts: 74	I think I have to so that the connections at the handlebars are chrome bolts.
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02-05-2015, 12:25 PM	#7
nomad ryder Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 274	I'm curious as to why anyone would want to switch to ss brake and clutch lines. Is performance that much better, or is strictly aesthetic? Seems like it would be moderately expensive.
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02-05-2015, 03:36 PM	#9
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Plus, you'll never have to replace the SS lines. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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02-05-2015, 04:57 PM	#10
TX1700 Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 128	Kawasaki Service Manual says to replace brake hoses every 4 years. So I will use replace mine with SS when it is time to replace. My Yamaha said to replace the brake hoses for the Roadstar every 2 years. I replace the after about 8 years with SS and boy could I tell the difference. The old hoses must have been expanding like balloons! __________________ TX1700 on VBA plunge on Texas VROC VROC #36447 VBA #02703 Ivan's reflash 2013 Vulcan Voyager ABS 2002 Road Star (sold)
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02-06-2015, 10:30 AM	#11
a340driver Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Langley B.C. Posts: 516	The rubber inside a hose breaks down in time, and can also clog the tiny passageways of the fluid. Changing out the lines could save you even more time and $$$ __________________ JET-LAG
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02-07-2015, 06:50 AM	#12
nomadbob Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Posts: 74	All of the reasons stated are why I am changing over to SS. A buddy of mine has the SS lines, I just needed the banjo bolts and crush washers to complete the job. Now I'll have new brake and clutch lines and all new brake fluid. Last edited by nomadbob; 03-15-2015 at 09:07 PM.
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02-09-2015, 12:33 PM	#13
nomad ryder Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 274	OK, there's another project on the list.
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02-09-2015, 01:24 PM	#14
Peg Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand Posts: 1,375	Once a year Pashnit Moto offer a deal on their Galfer stainless kits... free rear brake lines with every front brake kit sold. If you don't mind waiting, you could get yourself on their mailing list? __________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape '02 1500 blonde Nomad (Sold) '97 800 burgundy Classic (Sold)
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02-09-2015, 08:20 PM	#15
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	I just ordered new SS brake lines from Galferusa. Took the bike out yesterday for a short ride and noticed that the right front caliber started sticking. The bike has the original lines, so I thought now would be a good time to change and flush the system. I flush the system every 2 years. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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