Front Brake Lines

[FJ1200W]

I was riding with a friend who was on a Harley, and my front brakes went south.

Sucked, but it happens.

Luckily I had a set of Galfer front brake lines and a NOS Yamaha master cylinder rebuild kit.

It took a fair amount of time to bleed the system, but it's now as it should be.

Whew......

[FJmonkey]

Is the failed line original? Where in the line was the failure?

[giantkiller]

Always heard it could happen. And figured it would probably be when you were hard on the brakes heading into a corner at about 90... But never heard of an actual incident.

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Steve, glad you're ok, good that you were riding with a Harley. Most Harley riders don't use their front brakes ;-)

Yes, we are interested to hear what the point of failure was...

[giantkiller]

Hey Steve, glad you're ok, good that you were riding with a Harley. Most Harley riders don't use their front brakes ;-)

Yes, we are interested to hear what the point of failure was...

Was thinking the same thing. Kinda like when the deer committed suicide on my chest. Luckily I was with a bunch of Harley guys.So was only going about 45-50.( I was the only one wearing a helmet. Outta 48 bikes)

[FJ1200W]

The master cylinder seals failed due to age, or so it appeared.

Thanks everyone!

[FJmonkey]

I was thinking the line failed, but it was the master seal, thanks for the update.

[FJ1200W]

I was thinking the line failed, but it was the master seal, thanks for the update.

I am a little concerned with the Galfers I put on.

They did not fit as perfectly as I could have liked - the ends did not align perfectly so it felt like the lines are under some tension - I'm going to keep a close eye on them......

You're welcome

[racerrad8]

I am a little concerned with the Galfers I put on.

They did not fit as perfectly as I could have liked - the ends did not align perfectly so it felt like the lines are under some tension - I'm going to keep a close eye on them......

Steve,

The Galfer lines are "clockable" according to this post: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=12854.msg128189#msg128189 I installed one set on a customers bike and I was not very happy with the outcome.

I am still leery of grabbing them with pliers and marring them up.

The Spiegler on the other hand comes with the jaws and pivot tool required to clock the ends. I like this system much better, that is why I sell them: Yamaha FJ 1200 Front Brake Line Kit (Original 3 Line 88-94)

Randy - RPM

[balky1]

Find a pencil that fits snug in the banjo bore and rotate it until you have the alignment. Hold the end near the rotatable part gently with plyers (plastic grip ones would be great, but I used steel ones without probs). I must admit I used JMC lines, not your brand, but it should be the same/similar process. I got instructions with mine how to turn the banjos and whether it is allowed to turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise and how much I am allowed to turn it. I must admit I couldn't obey all these rules to have them fitted, but I sticked to the rule not to turn more than a certain amount of degrees like instructions said. Many miles without problems.
Although this works, I would be careful not to mess a lot with it, just enough to fit.

[giantkiller]

Yah spiegler is the way to go. I had a custom set made at a local shop. He had to remake the rear brake line.  Didn't line up right. Then I found spiegler. Use them on all the inverted front ends. Adjusted the orientation while installing them. They supplied the tool to hold them. With my order. And if you are doing custom stuff it's great. You can design them anyway you want.

[red]

Luckily I had a set of Galfer front brake lines and a NOS Yamaha master cylinder rebuild kit.  It took a fair amount of time to bleed the system, but it's now as it should be.  Whew......

.
FWIW, you can get banjo bolts *with bleeders* for the front brake lines top end (single or double lines).  Google found dozens.

I realize that grippers like pliers or wrenches may damage the brake-line ends, but is there any reason not to use a padded bar clamp to hold and rotate the ends?
https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/038548/038548103709.jpg

[balky1]

Yah spiegler is the way to go. I had a custom set made at a local shop. He had to remake the rear brake line.  Didn't line up right. Then I found spiegler. Use them on all the inverted front ends. Adjusted the orientation while installing them. They supplied the tool to hold them. With my order. And if you are doing custom stuff it's great. You can design them anyway you want.

Ah yes, this remindes me. Watch carefully how the banjo on the rear master cilynder is orientated. Early years were recalled beacause of the issue with swing arm hitting the master cylinder banjo. I don't know if this was the case with later years nor which year you have.

[giantkiller]

Yah spiegler is the way to go. I had a custom set made at a local shop. He had to remake the rear brake line.  Didn't line up right. Then I found spiegler. Use them on all the inverted front ends. Adjusted the orientation while installing them. They supplied the tool to hold them. With my order. And if you are doing custom stuff it's great. You can design them anyway you want.

Ah yes, this remindes me. Watch carefully how the banjo on the rear master cilynder is orientated. Early years were recalled beacause of the issue with swing arm hitting the master cylinder banjo. I don't know if this was the case with later years nor which year you have.

I have gsxr 600 wheels with no torque arm for the brake

[balky1]

The swing arm was the culprit actually, not the torque arm.