Cheap Custom Stainless Steel brake lines

[gaillarry]

I got a custom length front brake line, with the stock fittings (one straight, one 15 degree). Pretty simple install, though I did have to use a hand vacuum pump to fill/bleed the lines the first time. Definitely a noticeable improvement over stock bulgy hoses,

for the newbs (such as myself) would you please quantify exactly what is improved when doing this?
and how much is "noticeable"?

The brake lever feels firmer.   SS lines are abrasive resistant and what makes them so good is that they use teflon tubing instead of rubber. The teflon does not stretch or bloat like stock lines do.

The brake seems more responsive and I believe I have a better feel, and thus better control, of the braking action regardless of effort, especially during heavy/emergency braking.      And they look better than those black rubber lines.

[deets]

Put HEL brake lines on great improvment and feel...

[catch2otwo]

And they are manufactured in factories that use quality control and testing procedures, with calibrated tooling from traceable materials by companies that carry liabilty insurances.

The man in the garage makes a nod towards quality but has he got the paperwork to back it all up?.......I doubt it

I honestly don't believe that every brake line that comes out of a large scale factory is tested. I feel much more confident in my line. I know for a fact that the man in the garage tested the line to 3000 psi like it says on the ebay page. He probably does not have a massive insurance plan, so he probably makes damn well sure that his lines are up to spec.

After placing my order he promptly sent me a message saying he will have the line completed and shipped by the next day. Quality product, quality service, great price.

Your missing the point.  Your backyard mechanic cheapy brake lines are not tested/qa'd to any kind of accepted standard.  Congratulations, they will hold 3000 psi, but under what conditions?  Where were his materials sourced from?  During his manufacturing process, do any of the processes weaken or change material properties?  yada yada yada...

Its fine if you like them cause you saved a buck, but you cant honeslty argue that he has a better product then a known aftermarket product that has been tested to a reconized set of standards.  Just understand that there is alot more that goes into manufacturing goods then you think.  There is a reason why canadian brake line maker can produce a product for half of what Galfer or Goodrich is selling.

Hope they continue working for you

[adidasguy]

The brake lever feels firmer.   SS lines are abrasive resistant and what makes them so good is that they use teflon tubing instead of rubber. The teflon does not stretch or bloat like stock lines do.

It is the stainless steel braiding that doesn't stretch and bloat - not the teflon.
Not all use teflon on the outside covering or the inside.

[weedahoe]

And they are manufactured in factories that use quality control and testing procedures, with calibrated tooling from traceable materials by companies that carry liabilty insurances.

The man in the garage makes a nod towards quality but has he got the paperwork to back it all up?.......I doubt it

I honestly don't believe that every brake line that comes out of a large scale factory is tested. I feel much more confident in my line. I know for a fact that the man in the garage tested the line to 3000 psi like it says on the ebay page. He probably does not have a massive insurance plan, so he probably makes damn well sure that his lines are up to spec.

After placing my order he promptly sent me a message saying he will have the line completed and shipped by the next day. Quality product, quality service, great price.

Your missing the point.  Your backyard mechanic cheapy brake lines are not tested/qa'd to any kind of accepted standard.  Congratulations, they will hold 3000 psi, but under what conditions?  Where were his materials sourced from?  During his manufacturing process, do any of the processes weaken or change material properties?  yada yada yada...

Its fine if you like them cause you saved a buck, but you cant honeslty argue that he has a better product then a known aftermarket product that has been tested to a reconized set of standards.  Just understand that there is alot more that goes into manufacturing goods then you think.  There is a reason why canadian brake line maker can produce a product for half of what Galfer or Goodrich is selling.

Hope they continue working for you

I totally agree with you about the sourcing of parts and testing and such. But then again, i cant count how many OEM parts Ive had fail over the years so I think that kinda brings us back to square one with this.

If the work, hold up over time and dont leak, why not use them?

[catch2otwo]

And they are manufactured in factories that use quality control and testing procedures, with calibrated tooling from traceable materials by companies that carry liabilty insurances.

The man in the garage makes a nod towards quality but has he got the paperwork to back it all up?.......I doubt it

I honestly don't believe that every brake line that comes out of a large scale factory is tested. I feel much more confident in my line. I know for a fact that the man in the garage tested the line to 3000 psi like it says on the ebay page. He probably does not have a massive insurance plan, so he probably makes damn well sure that his lines are up to spec.

After placing my order he promptly sent me a message saying he will have the line completed and shipped by the next day. Quality product, quality service, great price.

Your missing the point.  Your backyard mechanic cheapy brake lines are not tested/qa'd to any kind of accepted standard.  Congratulations, they will hold 3000 psi, but under what conditions?  Where were his materials sourced from?  During his manufacturing process, do any of the processes weaken or change material properties?  yada yada yada...

Its fine if you like them cause you saved a buck, but you cant honeslty argue that he has a better product then a known aftermarket product that has been tested to a reconized set of standards.  Just understand that there is alot more that goes into manufacturing goods then you think.  There is a reason why canadian brake line maker can produce a product for half of what Galfer or Goodrich is selling.

Hope they continue working for you

I totally agree with you about the sourcing of parts and testing and such. But then again, i cant count how many OEM parts Ive had fail over the years so I think that kinda brings us back to square one with this.

If the work, hold up over time and dont leak, why not use them?

Did the failed oem parts cause you to not be able to stop? 

[weedahoe]

And they are manufactured in factories that use quality control and testing procedures, with calibrated tooling from traceable materials by companies that carry liabilty insurances.

The man in the garage makes a nod towards quality but has he got the paperwork to back it all up?.......I doubt it

I honestly don't believe that every brake line that comes out of a large scale factory is tested. I feel much more confident in my line. I know for a fact that the man in the garage tested the line to 3000 psi like it says on the ebay page. He probably does not have a massive insurance plan, so he probably makes damn well sure that his lines are up to spec.

After placing my order he promptly sent me a message saying he will have the line completed and shipped by the next day. Quality product, quality service, great price.

Your missing the point.  Your backyard mechanic cheapy brake lines are not tested/qa'd to any kind of accepted standard.  Congratulations, they will hold 3000 psi, but under what conditions?  Where were his materials sourced from?  During his manufacturing process, do any of the processes weaken or change material properties?  yada yada yada...

Its fine if you like them cause you saved a buck, but you cant honeslty argue that he has a better product then a known aftermarket product that has been tested to a reconized set of standards.  Just understand that there is alot more that goes into manufacturing goods then you think.  There is a reason why canadian brake line maker can produce a product for half of what Galfer or Goodrich is selling.

Hope they continue working for you

I totally agree with you about the sourcing of parts and testing and such. But then again, i cant count how many OEM parts Ive had fail over the years so I think that kinda brings us back to square one with this.

If the work, hold up over time and dont leak, why not use them?

Did the failed oem parts cause you to not be able to stop? 

There are other ways to brake with no "brakes". There is neutral, there is the clutch and you can always engine brake

And to answer your question, yes. Ive had OEM calipers freeze or lock up and not apply pressure to the the rotors

[Funderb]

jesus guys,
How about the safety concerned buy OEM or top shelf brake lines, and those that can't quite justify spending more money when there is a lower cost alternative (that MAY (and probably) be just as safe) just buy these lines and be happy with a little extra pocket change.

[bombsquad83]

Amen to that.  Why are you berating people who are probably replacing 10+ year old rubber OEM brake lines with what they can afford?

[gsatterw]

Amen to that.  Why are you berating people who are probably replacing 10+ year old rubber OEM brake lines with what they can afford?

This

jesus guys,
How about the safety concerned buy OEM or top shelf brake lines, and those that can't quite justify spending more money when there is a lower cost alternative (that MAY (and probably) be just as safe) just buy these lines and be happy with a little extra pocket change.

And this.

[catch2otwo]

Amen to that.  Why are you berating people who are probably replacing 10+ year old rubber OEM brake lines with what they can afford?

No one is berating anyone.  You could replace your brake lines with plastic straws for all anyone cares.  Im sure the brake lines that are half the price are "probably" good enough.  They "probably" will never fail.  They are "probably" better then your stock bulging rubbers.  The same sentence can be applied to pricier name brand brake lines.

Im just providing reasons why pricier lines may cost more rather then going on the often misused " your paying more because its a name brand".  There are reasons things are cheaper or more expensive.  People who are in the market deserve to understand why something may cost more or why its cheaper.  This is called being an informed consumer.

OP said he bought great brake lines for $xx.xx costing far less then name brand lines.  Wouldn't people want to know why they are cheaper and then make the decision for themselves as to whether or not to buy?  Again, you can buy whatever you want just be informed on what you are buying. 

[gsatterw]

look, we are talking about 2.5 feet of braided tubing and some end attachments. Material costs are negligible compared to the price. What you are paying for is overhead and labor. One comes from a large scale facility with many many employees, marketing, insurance, huge capital investments on equipment and land, meaning lots of overhead, meaning expensive product. The other one is a small operation started by a ss hose technician. Yes, I called him. He has been making ss brake lines for 25 years, I am glad I found him.

[fetor56]

Some of the prices for SS brake lines really can't  be justified.......i'll be trying this "coastguard" guy.

[gsatterw]

My line has held up and performed phenomenally. You won't be displeased

Graham 

[J banning]

I was surprised to see this thread since I just ordered a front line from the same seller on Friday. Communication was excellent (he verified the fitting types and angles I wanted) and I'm eagerly awaiting it to arrive later this week.

[gsatterw]

yup, pretty cool dude

[ruifrsilva]

I want to order a from line for my bike but don't have the stock line anywhere near
me. What specs should I give the seller when ordering the lines?

Rui

[fetor56]

My 2013 Naked measures 760mm(30") centre banjo to centre banjo with a 20 degree bend at the master cylinder and a 45 degree bend at the caliper,BUT i strongly suggest u measure yours personally as they seem to slightly differ.

[gsatterw]

The coating on the lines has not held up, it started crumbling off. My bike lives outside and is exposed to the elements always. The line itself, however, still feels very good and stiff and doesn't leak, and my brakes work fantastically. Still worth it i'd say.

Graham

[The Buddha]

The galfer vinyl coated line I had held up for ever ... or course its far more $$$,
Maybe you can hand coat the line with silicone. Or other vinyl type substance - can not use heat shrink tubing, You cant heat the line.
Cool.
Buddha.