Since my bike is an '04 and I have no idea if the brake lines have been replaced, I decided I should just upgrade to some stainless steel lines. I'm lookin at the Hel but on their website they have a kit for a GS500 and a GS500F. The difference is that one has 2 front lines and 1 rear, and the other has 1 front and 1 rear. I just need the kit that comes with 1 front and 1 rear correct? Also, are there just as good kits out there for less money? I've been having some trouble finding any. Thanks!
-Lucas
Post the links to those brake line kits, and we'll help you decide which one you need.
https://helusa.worldispnetwork.com/secure/suzuki/HEL-1F-1R.htm
https://helusa.worldispnetwork.com/secure/suzuki/HEL-2F-1R.htm
Thanks.
Lucas
OK, I didn't notice anything that specified that either of those kits was intended for use on a GS500, but I guess that isn't material. Since the only difference seems to be the addition of the second line to one kit, you should probably buy the kit with the single front line, and save yourself $49. If you bought the kit with two front brake lines, you could try to sell the one you don't need here, or on eBay, but you have no guarantee that it would match the original line, or that anyone would want it, with the possible exception of Srinath / Buddha, or someone like me, who collects oddball parts for future projects... but then again, I'm notoriously cheap... :oops:
Your money, your choice; you might want to wait a few days before you order that kit, just to see if anyone can recommend a better / cheaper / somehow superior brake line kit. Chances are, someone will have a source so you can compare that kit with another one somewhere online. Probably can't hurt to wait for more replies, right?
Yea 04 and you're worried about not replacing your brake lines ... I guess the quality nust have really taken a crapola at the factory, cos my 88 bike has original rubber lines and its still going strong.
Put DOT 5 fluid in it, will work waaaaaaaaay better than swapping lines.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on March 26, 2008, 11:50:18 AM
Yea 04 and you're worried about not replacing your brake lines ... I guess the quality nust have really taken a crapola at the factory, cos my 88 bike has original rubber lines and its still going strong.
Put DOT 5 fluid in it, will work waaaaaaaaay better than swapping lines.
Cool.
Buddha.
So you're saying my brake lines should be OK? The only reason I am concerned is because I have read you should replace them every 4 years...and I figured stainless steel would be a good way to to go since they usually carry lifetime guarantees. Thanks
-Lucas
DOT 5 is like the brake fluid of the gods :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Seriously, it's instant brake performance enhancement.......kinda. 4 years is BS, your lines are most likely perfectly fine.
you may like this one also: https://helusa.worldispnetwork.com/secure/suzuki/HEL-1F-0R.htm
this is just single front line kit for $49 including shipping. You probably don't need rear line anyway. That's what I purchased for my bike couple of days ago (didn't receive yet)
cheers
KaMeL
Quote from: The Buddha on March 26, 2008, 11:50:18 AM
Yea 04 and you're worried about not replacing your brake lines ... I guess the quality nust have really taken a crapola at the factory, cos my 88 bike has original rubber lines and its still going strong.
Put DOT 5 fluid in it, will work waaaaaaaaay better than swapping lines.
Cool.
Buddha.
How do you go about putting a silicon based DOT 5 brake fluid into a brake system that used to carry glycol DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
I've heard you have to completely clean the entire system, (if so how) before putting it in.
Quote from: kml.krk on March 26, 2008, 04:56:15 PM
you may like this one also: https://helusa.worldispnetwork.com/secure/suzuki/HEL-1F-0R.htm
this is just single front line kit for $49 including shipping. You probably don't need rear line anyway. That's what I purchased for my bike couple of days ago (didn't receive yet)
cheers
KaMeL
yea i saw that kit also. $49 sounds a lot better than $97 :thumb:
Quote from: galahs on March 26, 2008, 05:15:24 PMHow do you go about putting a silicon based DOT 5 brake fluid into a brake system that used to carry glycol DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
I've heard you have to completely clean the entire system, (if so how) before putting it in.
I can only assume they meant 5.1. DOT 5 is pretty special order/application stuff.
Ummmm, they have a case of DOT 5 on the shelf of my local Autozone. I know a lot of people who use DOT 5 in everything from Ducati's to Ford trucks. They also sell a flush kit for the brake system prior to new usage of DOT 5.
Quote from: lnb001 on March 26, 2008, 03:56:11 PM
Quote from: The Buddha on March 26, 2008, 11:50:18 AM
Yea 04 and you're worried about not replacing your brake lines ... I guess the quality nust have really taken a crapola at the factory, cos my 88 bike has original rubber lines and its still going strong.
Put DOT 5 fluid in it, will work waaaaaaaaay better than swapping lines.
Cool.
Buddha.
So you're saying my brake lines should be OK? The only reason I am concerned is because I have read you should replace them every 4 years...and I figured stainless steel would be a good way to to go since they usually carry lifetime guarantees. Thanks
-Lucas
They absolutely should be ok. I'd give the a good check for cracks and damage but I seriously doubt you'll find anything wrong with them. Unless you are looking for better braking, I would just change the brake fluid with some dot 4 or 5.1 and call it day.. If you have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket and you ride hard, stainless lines would be ok to get. I have them on a few bikes only because I was replacing a damaged line (from a crash) or 20 year old lines.
Bottom line, don't spend the money unless you either A) have a damaged line B) want the slight improvement in brake feel or C) like the look of braided lines.
And if you do decide to go stainless for the performance, you should also get good brake pads or your wasting you time with the lines. You'd be better off with just better pads than just better lines.
One more thing, Unless you're racing the bike, don't replace the rear for reason B)... just a waste of $$ there again too.
Travis
Quote from: spcterry on March 26, 2008, 09:21:42 PM
Ummmm, they have a case of DOT 5 on the shelf of my local Autozone. I know a lot of people who use DOT 5 in everything from Ducati's to Ford trucks. They also sell a flush kit for the brake system prior to new usage of DOT 5.
What's the advantage of silicon DOT 5?
QuoteWhat's the advantage of silicon DOT 5?
The following links all have useful descriptions and comparisons:
- http://www.tccoa.com/brake-fluid/ (http://www.tccoa.com/brake-fluid/)
- http://www.gabma.us/docs/dot5.pdf (http://www.gabma.us/docs/dot5.pdf)
- http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/cows-brakefluid.html (http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/cows-brakefluid.html)