Triumphrat

McQueen · 09-25-2006

OK, since I've tapped your collective genius with success, I'm going to keep on going...

I want to add braided lines to my '79 Bonnie Special. You may be familiar with this already, but I'll describe it to refresh the memory:

I have a flex line coming from the handlebar lever to the top yoke. Screws into the top yoke. On the underside, it turns to a steel "S" hose that runs to the brake light sensor. Then another steel "S" to a mount on the bottom yoke. Then a flex line to a mounting pint attached to the fender mount. And finally a steel line into the caliper.

Trouble is, that first bit of flex line near the brake lever is only about 6 inches long. That means I have little or no room to add different bars. Tried the M bars. No go. Tried some superbike bars...nope.

My question is this: Can I simply run a braided line from the lever to the caliper and bypass all those junctions? In my mind, that doesn't seem like it would have any ill effects other than bypassing the light sensor.

Maybe I can run two braided lines...one from lever to sensor....and sensor to caliper.

Any advice? Tricks? Tips?

Cheers,
paul

GrandPaulZ · 09-25-2006

The result will actually be better performance and fewer potential leak points.

Only downside is loss of the brake light switch. You can always do a 2-piece with the first hose going from the master cylinder to the switch, and the second one going from the switch to the caliper. A couple less leak points.

McQueen · 09-25-2006

G-P-Z,

that's what I'm thinking. Two pieces to keep the sensor in the loop.

Mecchanica · 09-25-2006

Agreed. I made a small fortune when I worked with a custom shop for several years. I did the "arcane" things like wiring, wheel building, and fabricating brake, oil, and fuel lines...in return the shop gave me a corner to tinker on my old Brit stuff.
Check the Earls Performance site and decide what look you like.....red and blue anod. alloy, black anod. alloy, plated steel (booo.....but cheap), or Stainless Steel. The stainless, when buffed is beautiful and nearly immortal. (I branched out to doing custom Stainless hydraulic installations on racing sailboats, making hoses for the vangs, outhauls, downhauls....even some for powerboats for the control surfaces and outboard motor lift and tilts.)
You can make them custom to fit your bike, and the ends are reusable, should you decide to change something. Just remember to make the hose to fit with the bike jacked up and the fork extended all the way. You do not want to get a little light on the front (or rear) end and have the wheel drop all the way down and pull the hose out of the fitting.
If you REALLY like do it right, buy a Stainless hydraulic unit for the master and replace the piece of junk Triumph installed. Check MAP for this also. They look great and last a long, long time. If you can get one with a 14mm bore, you will like the increase in line pressure and increased feel. Get rid of the chrome on the discs (if normal wear has not already done it for you) and drill them. EBC pads. It will take you a little while to get used to the new brakes....they actually work!

[ This message was edited by: Mecchanica on 2006-09-25 11:45 ]

McQueen · 09-25-2006

Mecc,

I've never done custom brake lines. Is it relatively easy for a newbie to cut the length and fit the ends?

cheers,
paul

Mecchanica · 09-25-2006

Dead simple. All you will need is a roll of strapping or other strong tape, a fine tooth hacksaw (I use 32TPI), and a couple of wrenches, and perhaps some soft jaws (two pieces of angle aluminum) for a vise. Most of the time, you don't even need the vise. If you can cut a perpendicular plane with a hacksaw, you can make brake hoses.
Oh, and a pair of mechanic's gloves, those stainless braids are sharp!

[ This message was edited by: Mecchanica on 2006-09-25 12:50 ]

KADUTZ · 09-25-2006

norman hyde pre made kits are available as a "bolt on".
both front and rear kits are one piece lines any decent Brit seller should be able to get them.

[ This message was edited by: KADUTZ on 2006-09-25 16:35 ]