SS Brake Lines

[rvbeemer]

It's time for me to change the brake lines on my 98 RT. I'm going with SS but never have bought any. Does anyone have a preference of make for any reason or another or do I just need to not worry about it and buy a set of any brand name SS lines?

[swall]

Why do you need to change brake lines? I have a '78 RS with stock lines that are just fine. If you do feel the need to go none OEM, make sure the ss lines are rated per DOT or SAE specs. If so, they will be labeled as such.

[jasonTDI]

Why? Because they have and do rupture with age. Most BMW dealers and a lot of others say 5 years on the stock lines. Do some searching and you'll find those that have failed them.

I have these: http://www.spieglerusa.com/ Kind of pricey if you get crazy with the anodizing.

[alien_hitchhiker]

RV, I recently mounted Spiegler brake lines on my '00 RT. Perfect fit, good looking and available through the local (well, 50 miles down the road) BMW dealer. They even package them as a kit for all three discs. I did not comparison shop, so I can't comment on price.

They do provide a slightly firmer feel at the lever. The rear is almost too sensitive; I've had to lighten up my right foot ( this has renewed my appreciation for ABS).

http://www.spieglerusa.com/

[jasonTDI]

RV, I recently mounted Spiegler brake lines on my '00 RT. Perfect fit, good looking and available through the local (well, 50 miles down the road) BMW dealer. They even package them as a kit for all three discs. I did not comparison shop, so I can't comment on price.

They do provide a slightly firmer feel at the lever. The rear is almost too sensitive; I've had to lighten up my right foot ( this has renewed my appreciation for ABS).

http://www.spieglerusa.com/

My exact experience witht he rears! I thought I bled the brakes wrong and re-bled the rear. Just grabs that much harder.

[swall]

Whatever you buy, make sure it is rated per SAE J1401 or DOT/FMVSS 116. Otherwise, it is not suitable for brake lines.

[rvbeemer]

The reason I'd ask about the different makes was that, I'd read somewhere, A guy had some problems installing his Speiglers so wasn't sure. Thanks for the info everyone.
RV

[jasonTDI]

The reason I'd ask about the different makes was that, I'd read somewhere, A guy had some problems installing his Speiglers so wasn't sure. Thanks for the info everyone.
RV


They don't include instructions and are slightly different than stock. But it's not difficult to do. Totally worth the results.

[bmwmick]

RV, I recently mounted Spiegler brake lines on my '00 RT. Perfect fit, good looking and available through the local (well, 50 miles down the road) BMW dealer. They even package them as a kit for all three discs. I did not comparison shop, so I can't comment on price.

They do provide a slightly firmer feel at the lever. The rear is almost too sensitive; I've had to lighten up my right foot ( this has renewed my appreciation for ABS).

http://www.spieglerusa.com/

Steve,
Do the standard lines come with the clear vinyl covering or is that extra?

[alien_hitchhiker]

Do the standard lines come with the clear vinyl covering or is that extra?

It is my understanding that clear vinyl is standard for the Speiglers.

I ordered blue vinyl for that candy colored, tricked out look :rocker which makes the bike look like a total hot rod instead of a mild mannered, geriatric touring bike.

[bikerfish1100]

It is my understanding that clear vinyl is standard for the Speiglers.

I ordered blue vinyl for that candy colored, tricked out look :rocker which makes the bike look like a total hot rod instead of a mild mannered, geriatric touring bike.

dude, it's an RT. it will ALWAYS look like a geriatric touring bike. well, maybe not in motion in the twisties, but the rest of the time, yeah, pretty much so. :wow

[alien_hitchhiker]

dude, it's an RT. it will ALWAYS look like a geriatric touring bike.

.

[jasonTDI]

riot!

[bikerfish1100]

well, not quite that bad, but close. maybe his cousin kind of bad.

[Andy VH]

"Whatever you buy, make sure it is rated per SAE J1401 or DOT/FMVSS 116. Otherwise, it is not suitable for brake lines."

True. But actually, any stainless steel braided TEFLON (PTFE) tubed hose is suitable for brake fluid. However, only those hoses listed per the above quote will have the federal required labelling on the hose for on-highway use. That is the main reason the clear or colored sleeve is common on many of the brands, because the required printing cannot be applied on the s/s braided cover.

Brake hoses can and do wear out and fail. Keep in mind the standard brake hose any cycle manuacturer uses is the least expensive hose to meet the application and federal requirements. Any hose on any vehicle is a wear item and is not intended to last the life of the vehicle. Go with Spiegler, Galfer, Earls, Russel or similar brands and they'll all be quality hose (which, by the way, none of them actually MAKE the hose itself).

I know this as a 12 year hydraulic hose field engineer for Parker Hannifin, the worlds largest hose manufacturer.

[bmwmick]

"I know this as a 12 year hydraulic hose field engineer for Parker Hannifin, the worlds largest hose manufacturer.

So Andy.........wanna make me a set of hoses for my R1100RT :) :stick

[swall]

Andy, I must take exception to your comment about any braided ss teflon lined hose as being acceptable. With your experience, you are obviously aware of this type of hose being sold for fuel line, which does not see anywhere the pressure that brake hose or hydraulic hose will see. Thus my comment about the SAE and DOT rated hose.

[bikerfish1100]

yah, but if you're buying SS BRAKE lines from a reputable supplier, why would you expect to get FUEL lines?
or do you regulary do your shopping at street corners, around midnight, from a guy in a trenchcoat, going "psssstt, buddy, i got some great brake likes here for ya. and Rolex watches, too. your choice, $5. what ya want?"

[Andy VH]

My reply is based on using ONLY teflon inner tube, stainless steel braided cover hose, like Parker 919 or the equivalent from Aeroquip, Gates, Stratoflex (which actually is Parker) and the various foreign hose makers.

Hoses typical for use in fuel systems is likely NOT suitable for a braking application.

The combination of teflon inner tube and s/s braid produces a hose with very low volumetirc expansion (VE). Meaning the hose expands very little under pressure, unlike typical brake hoses. That low VE gives the excellant firm feedback at the lever we desire. Standard brake hoses, especially over time, DO soften and actually increase slightly in VE, contributing to that mushy response feel at the lever.

As far as making my own hose assemblies, the trick is finding the exact right hose ends with Banjo style fittings, at the exact lengths and angles. Since Parker does not make those hose ends, then reuseable style ends are used (like those from Earl's), but you need to have a steel hose cutting blade to cut the hose, and the wire flares out significantly if you don't do it right. Crimped ends have to use the right crimping dies and diameter of the crimp or you could have a leaker or worse yet, a blow-off. Better to just by the right hoses from Speigler or Galfer.

[35634]

I know this as a 12 year hydraulic hose field engineer for Parker Hannifin, the worlds largest hose manufacturer.

And how big is the world's largest hose?:jester

[bikerfish1100]

And how big is the world's largest hose?:jester

damn, how'd i miss that one?

[Random]

It's time for me to change the brake lines on my 98 RT. I'm going with SS but never have bought any. Does anyone have a preference of make for any reason or another or do I just need to not worry about it and buy a set of any brand name SS lines?

I had Speigler brake lines installed this spring. http://www.spieglerusa.com/. They were less expensive than BMW and made in Dayton, OH. They are also available in lots of pretty colors.

[swall]

Andy, you speak the truth, especially about the critical part about cutting the bulk hose. Been there, done that, as a Tier 1 brake system supplier engineer. My take on the clear (or other color shielding on top of the braid) is that it allows the hose to pass the whip test in SAE J1401.

[GrantMacEachern]

In addition to any printing or labelling requirements, I always thought the SS lines were wrapped in a vinyl to keep the SS weave from scratching and wearing down any parts of the bike it comes in contact with.