Stainless Steel Brake Lines?

[nyfty]

My '01 GS with 50K miles has sprung a leak in one of the front brake lines. (The single line that comes back to the front from under the tank.) Instead or replacing just the one I want to replace them all.

Does someone offer a complete kit? Or do I have to purchase individual pieces?

[manicmechanic]

Spiegler has a kit for all the brake lines. However, it does not include a replacement for the clutch line. I would recommend that you also get a bleeder for the right front brake caliper if it doesn't have one already. You might also get a bleeder for the clutch and flush that system while you're at it.

[Andy VH]

Replace them all at once. The cost is higher, but the work involved is very little more than simply replacing one hose.

The stock brake hoses used on bikes, including our beloved BMWs, is some of the cheapest brake hose built to a spec that the bike builders can use. It ages, the inner tube softens and it expands even more during brake pressure application. Over time we adjust to the mushier brake feel without even knowing it.

Speigler and others make excellant repalcement stainless steel braided/teflon lined brake hoses. The real strength in these hoses is not the outer braiding, but the Teflon inner tube itself. Teflon makes an excellant inner tube for a hose, that does not degrade or soften over time. It also has much less "volumetric expansion" under pressure than the typical stock brake hose. You get better response and feel from the brakes, better performance.

Also, you probably need to flush the old brake fluid out anyway. So get the complete hose kit and fresh brake fluid.