SS brake lines orientation and length

[Dizzledan]

Trying to figure out meausrements and such before I pull the trigger on this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS500E-CUSTOM-STAINLESS-STEEL-BRAKE-LINE-HOSE-/120849022961?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c2329bff1

I used a string and measured 27.5" from center banjo to center banjo, and from what I can tell the bottom bolt is 90* in relation to the top bolt, and at a 15* angle.
I'd need a number 1 on the top, and a number 3 at the bottom set up type 'C'



This shows the angles


Its for an '89 E. Can anyone that has SS lines confirm measurements and angles?

[fleshpiston]

Perfect timing Dd, I'll be ordering these too.  I have the day off tomorrow and I'll let ya know what I come up with.

btw, use an old tach or speedo cable instead of string. It approximates the brake line a little better. What bars are you running?

[Tombstones81]

also been wondering the same thing.

but these are going to be the Very last thing I purchase from my list.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

I have been doing a bit of R&D on this..

Front - ~29" (measured by Kijona)
Rear- 29"-29.5" (measured by Adidasguy)

Not sure on angles though, and here's a question just a bit off topic..

Is the loop/bend in the stock rear break line setup necessary? In other words, as long as there's enough slack in brake line for the swing in the rear wheel, do you need that much brake line? hoping not cause the set i get off ebay has a ~20" rear line

[Dizzledan]

What bars are you running?

Stock bars, clip-ons. I guess that means mine will be shorter than yours, but I think it'd be only 2-3 inches different at most.

I'm wondering if the newer calipers have a different orientation on the banjo bolt as well or if they are the same. I'll take some pics tomorrow, you should too.

these are going to be the Very last thing I purchase from my list.

Why is that?

[fleshpiston]

Is the loop/bend in the stock rear break line setup necessary? In other words, as long as there's enough slack in brake line for the swing in the rear wheel, do you need that much brake line?

No and no, I plan on getting rid of it. 

[fleshpiston]

but these are going to be the Very last thing I purchase from my list.

they make em in red 

[fleshpiston]

What bars are you running?

Stock bars, clip-ons. I guess that means mine will be shorter than yours, but I think it'd be only 2-3 inches different at most.

I'm wondering if the newer calipers have a different orientation on the banjo bolt as well or if they are the same. I'll take some pics tomorrow, you should too.

I'll be running the same bars....  but a different caliper ... shouldn't have an effect on length though 

[Tombstones81]

but these are going to be the Very last thing I purchase from my list.

they make em in red 

hahaha I know! 

but replacing my bald rear tire, getting the proper items for my LED blinkers to work correctly, grips, pegs, and at least a headlight fairing take priority over something that is currently in perfect working condition

[adidasguy]

Center to center of the banjo (or 5 string guitar) bolts is about 29" to 29.5". Not that critical as the rear brake line does that loop around to (I guess) allow extra length for the wheel/brake to move back for (here we go again) tightening the chain.

HOWEVER..... There seems to have been a shorter line that went directly  down from the master cylinder, along the swing arm then up to the calipers, (no loop-back at the MS end). Maybe changed to the longer line to allow more extra length for tightening the chain. The length on one of those is about 20" center to center.

As for angles, they are with no angles. Though the master cylinder can have a little to help clear the frame. I see it both ways.
No 90* from end to end. Both ends are same in relation to the frame. (Front line I believe has a 90* rotation).

PS: The year doesn't make any difference. The rear brake never changed. Though often lines come with a 0.75 pitch thread on the banjo but I find it is a 1.0 thread on my calipers, so I use my old banjo bolts.

Just put one on last night...

[fleshpiston]

hahaha I know! 

but replacing my bald rear tire, getting the proper items for my LED blinkers to work correctly, grips, pegs, and at least a headlight fairing take priority over something that is currently in perfect working condition

good call 


.

[fleshpiston]

adidasguy ...... nice floor 


looks well lit too





.

[Dizzledan]

As for angles, they are with no angles. Though the master cylinder can have a little to help clear the frame. I see it both ways.
No 90* from end to end. Both ends are same in relation to the frame. (Front line I believe has a 90* rotation).

Are you talking on the rear brakes here? I'm needing the angles for the banjo bolts on the front of the bike (caliper looks like it has one, MC doesn't). I'm certain that the Banjo eyes are 90* in relation to eachother.

[birdhandler]

hel make one specifically for the GS500 and they are in mnost countries
http://helperformance.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=145_187&products_id=5458

[adidasguy]

OK. Here we go. There is no right answer. OR any answer I give will be wrong.

Banjos: This is the same. master cylinder (MC): 10mm 1.0 threads. All FRONT calipers seem to be 10mm with 1.25 threads.

All front hoses have a 90* twist from MC to caliper. (Rear has no twist.)

SOME fronts have an angle at the MC. (MOST rear have angle at MC and none at the rear caliper.)

All have an angle at the caliper - anywhere from 10* to 45*. From experience, I know that zero angle will also fit. I'd suggest around 20* angle at the caliper.

Lengths - (banjo center to banjo center for all measurements)

OEM: 28" or 30.5"

Bought a couple new Goodridge lines. Here's what they sent:
89-96:  28.375"    about 20* angle at caliper, zero at MC
03-09: 29.5"  About 10* angle at caliper and at the MC

Suggestion: measure what you have now. Angle at caliper is OK. Angle at MS: depends on hose routing.
Seems older with OEM clip ons needs shorter hose because MC is closer to the calipers. Stock bars puts the MS farther away so you need a longer hose. Extra length of hose can be routed out of the way somewhere. If too short: buy a longer one. If you angle both ends: make sure you can specify clockwise or counterclockwise from MS to caliper.

If unsure of length, take a piece of small hose or something else and route it then measure it.

THERE IS NO RIGHT HOSE!

Goodridge ends:


2 different OEM hoses showing both ends. I twisted them so you could see both angles.

[Dizzledan]

I gotcha now. Thanks for clarifying, this is so darn confusing. At least now there's a thread that will show up in search that has the correct answer.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

No and no, I plan on getting rid of it.

good to know, thanks mang!

[adidasguy]

A few FIY's after working on Phenix today.

There is a difference in how the front brake line is routed when comparing old and new bikes. That in itself makes a difference in the required length.

The angle at the caliper: less for "F" models because the hose is routed along the side of the fork. "E" has the hose routed behind the right fork so it has more angle at the caliper.

I noticed these things as I went to put the SS line on Phenix. His triple had the "F" brackets. I could put on "E" hose brackets, which I may decide to do. But for a first shot at assembling things, I compared what O bought as an 89-06 hose and an 03-09 hose. Earlier posts give the differences in the hoses.

The routing became apparent as I put the hose on and looked at Suzi and Trey to figure out how to route the hose.

So it really seems that you need to determine the angle at the caliper based on the routing. Then use a string or piece of hose to determine how long. That varies with routing and where your handle bars are. Different bars put the master cylinder in different locations - meaning different length and maybe an angle is necessary at the MS.

There is no correct answer!