Brake hoses

[bikesnumbnuts]

Has anybody fitted braided hoses to their LT .
Dealer say,s that later models from bmw fitted with braded stainless steel brake lines don,t need fluid changes as frequently as those models fitted with rubber hoses .

regards bikenumbnuts
04 your 05 in graphite
in blighty

[grifscoots]

I put Spiegler (http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm) steel braided hoses on my 2000. I felt a big difference in braking.

I don't know about having to change fluid less often, nor would I chance it. Just too important to play with. Water doesn't compress well in a brake system.

[zaphod]

[QUOTE=grifscoots]I put Spiegler (http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm) steel braided hoses on my 2000. I felt a big difference in braking.QUOTE]
Was it a $240 improvement?

[Dick]

[QUOTE=grifscoots]I put Spiegler (http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm) steel braided hoses on my 2000. I felt a big difference in braking.QUOTE]
Was it a $240 improvement?
Mine wuz! Same dude did Grif's did ole Toad's.

You don't hear much about OEM brake lines failing, butt ole Toad's did - in two places. No worries 'bout that now. And it's prolly just me, butt I did/do feel a change in braking crispness; both front and rear.

[grifscoots]

[QUOTE=grifscoots]I put Spiegler (http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm) steel braided hoses on my 2000. I felt a big difference in braking.QUOTE]
Was it a $240 improvement?

No, it wasn't:rolleyes: . But, when you consider the old, rubber ones were starting to harden, crack and bulge when the brakes were applied, well, it was worth it in the long run. Rubber degrades, especially in some good ol' Tejas heat (where the hell did that stuff go to?)

[cccpastorjack]

[QUOTE=grifscoots][QUOTE=zaphod]

...when you consider the old, rubber ones were starting to harden, crack and bulge when the brakes were applied, well, it was worth it in the long run.



Haven't gotten them on my LT yet, but they have made a significant difference on several other bikes I've owned in the past. As you said Grif, rubber lines bulge more than stainless when under pressure and that translates into a "spongy" feel in the lever. I will put some on mine one day.

[Dick]

[QUOTE=grifscoots][QUOTE=zaphod]

...when you consider the old, rubber ones were starting to harden, crack and bulge when the brakes were applied, well, it was worth it in the long run.



Haven't gotten them on my LT yet, but they have made a significant difference on several other bikes I've owned in the past. As you said Grif, rubber lines bulge more than stainless when under pressure and that translates into a "spongy" feel in the lever. I will put some on mine one day.
Hey, Jack. Speigler makes their brake lines in several different color schemes. Not sure they have one to match a Mauve LT, tho. I forgot to specify a color when Hank changed mine out, so I just got the standard silver. I think Grif tried for the Mary Kay pink, butt they were outta that fluff at the time!!! :histerica

[JPSpen]

The braided hoses do make a difference... But I'd still pull maintenance at the scheduled time.

I just had mine made at a custom hose shop here in OKC. You could do the same.

about 40.00 each..or so..


John

[thillrh]

I installed the Speigler's a few months back on my 2001 LT (about 49k miles). The decision to upgrade was triggered after the rubber break line in the front developed a tiny rupture while riding home from work one day. Didn't really notice the problem clearly until I saw brake fluid everywhere the next morning.

The improvement (to me) in feel and braking is awesome! Worth every bit of the $260 and the time it took me to put them on. I would definitely do it again, but there were some rough spots during installation. I had a heck of a time getting at the fitting near the battery, and the block that mounts to the rear of the front right fork was simply too wide, needing some time on the grinding bench to get a fit that would work enough for assembly.