Stainless steel brake lines upgrade: Difference between revisions

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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.

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.

~~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~~.

[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.

~~[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; with Goodridge you'll have to use a universal line. This is generally not recommended for a novice. Spiegler would like to have a kit, and are looking for someone to send in their old lines and fittings so they can make one up.

~~All three of~~ the ~~top brands sell through dealers~~. ~~These may be brick & mortar or online~~. ~~Galfer and~~ Spiegler ~~have kits~~ for the ~~EX250; with Goodridge you'll have to use a universal line. This~~ is ~~generally not recommended for a novice~~.

If color is important to you, take a look at the [http://www.spieglerusa.com/images/AllFittings-large.jpg Spiegler fittings page], as soon as Spiegler starts carrying a kit for the 250, that is.

~~If color~~ is ~~important to you, take~~ a ~~look at~~ the ~~[http://www~~.~~spieglerusa~~.~~com/images/AllFittings-large~~.~~jpg Spiegler fittings page]~~.

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.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 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.
 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.
-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.
+[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.
-[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; with Goodridge you'll have to use a universal line. This is generally not recommended for a novice. Spiegler would like to have a kit, and are looking for someone to send in their old lines and fittings so they can make one up.
-All three of the top brands sell through dealers. These may be brick & mortar or online.  Galfer and Spiegler have kits for the EX250; with Goodridge you'll have to use a universal line. This is generally not recommended for a novice.
+If color is important to you, take a look at the [http://www.spieglerusa.com/images/AllFittings-large.jpg Spiegler fittings page], as soon as Spiegler starts carrying a kit for the 250, that is.
-If color is important to you, take a look at the [http://www.spieglerusa.com/images/AllFittings-large.jpg Spiegler fittings page].
+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.