[lnowell]

I lost the use of my front brakes on the way home from a Club meeting last night. I noticed that the brake lever had to pumped a little to hold when I stopped and continued to get worse until I had no use of them at all by the time I got home. I was very lucky that there was almost no traffic the entire ride home so, other than the hills, it was a piece of cake.

My question: is Speiger the best replacement - per the other post re: line replacement?

Thanks

 

[Dick]

I lost the use of my front brakes on the way home from a Club meeting last night. I noticed that the brake lever had to pumped a little to hold when I stopped and continued to get worse until I had no use of them at all by the time I got home. I was very lucky that there was almost no traffic the entire ride home so, other than the hills, it was a piece of cake.

My question: is Speiger the best replacement - per the other post re: line replacement?

Thanks

+2 for Speigler.

Git 'em in your fav color too!!!! J/K!

 

[lnowell]

Anyone use these folks?

http://www.eurotechmotorsports.com

They show the replacement lines for $125.00.

Correction - their site now says wholesale only.

 

[ArthurKnowles]

I personally would not buy another Spieglar brake line unless I had no other choice. I'd buy Gafler or Melvin or any other brand.

Spielger lines are not always customized for a no-kink fit and don't believe one **** word from them that they are. I speak from personal experiance. As an FYI, their twist a line method just plain sucks. Their tool for holding the line so you can adjust it never works. Better to use a pair of pliers and a small cesent wrench. And just as an FYI (don't know if any other vendor includes them or not either) Speigler includes no instructions. If there is any specialty hardware in your kit, you'll have to figure out how to use it yourself or spend time on the phone with Spiegler about it.

 

[katnapinn]

I personally would not buy another Spieglar brake line unless I had no other choice. I'd buy Gafler or Melvin or any other brand.

Spielger lines are not always customized for a no-kink fit and don't believe one **** word from them that they are. I speak from personal experiance. As an FYI, their twist a line method just plain sucks. Their tool for holding the line so you can adjust it never works. Better to use a pair of pliers and a small cesent wrench. And just as an FYI (don't know if any other vendor includes them or not either) Speigler includes no instructions. If there is any specialty hardware in your kit, you'll have to figure out how to use it yourself or spend time on the phone with Spiegler about it.

Sorry to here you had trouble with the Spieglar line kit. I've installed 3 kits on 3 different LTs with "NO" trouble. I did have to twist a few of the ends of the hoses to line up correct. But there kits to do that worked well for me. JM2C BTW all the kits I've used DID have instructions in them.

 

[lnowell]

Sorry to here you had trouble with the Spieglar line kit. I've installed 3 kits on 3 different LTs with "NO" trouble. I did have to twist a few of the ends of the hoses to line up correct. But there kits to do that worked well for me. JM2C BTW all the kits I've used DID have instructions in them.

I received my Spiegler brake lines yesterday and other than the general instructions on the back of the package showing how to adjust the fittings, there was nothing else in the packing regarding specific instructions for the LT. Before I start disassembling my girl, is the replacement obvious as to where each of the 6 supplied lines go?

Thanks

 

[katnapinn]

I received my Spiegler brake lines yesterday and other than the general instructions on the back of the package showing how to adjust the fittings, there was nothing else in the packing regarding specific instructions for the LT. Before I start disassembling my girl, is the replacement obvious as to where each of the 6 supplied lines go?

Thanks

Yes just match up the lines with the old ones. The stock front line (From right caliper) is 1 piece and the replacement will be 2 lines and 1 junction block. You will have to reuse the metal line from the block to the left caliper line. Also I found it easier to get to the junction block (just below upper shock mount) for the line that runs from the rear master cylinder ( on right foot peg plate) if you remove the "LOWER" shock mount . That way you can raise the shock to get a wrench in to hold the block .

 

[ArthurKnowles]

I received my Spiegler brake lines yesterday and other than the general instructions on the back of the package showing how to adjust the fittings, there was nothing else in the packing regarding specific instructions for the LT. Before I start disassembling my girl, is the replacement obvious as to where each of the 6 supplied lines go?

This is one of the many reasons I will never buy Spiegler lines again. Every time I bought them there were no instructions. The adapter to help you twist the line has never worked for me. Sometimes the lines are too long because they make them the same length as the original. I was told then needed to do that to maintain the warrenty for the BMW motorcyle. Mine was a '96 RT. What warrenty. Just more BS from Spiegler.

For my LT, when it comes time, I'll buy Gafler or Melvin, but not Spiegler. Ever!

 

[Buckelew]

I've used several kits from Galfer and will happily use Galfer lines when I decide to replace my LT lines.

I haven't had to rely on instructions....but then again, I haven't replaced lines on a bike with ABS. THAT mileage may vary.

 

[lnowell]

This is one of the many reasons I will never buy Spiegler lines again. Every time I bought them there were no instructions. The adapter to help you twist the line has never worked for me. Sometimes the lines are too long because they make them the same length as the original. I was told then needed to do that to maintain the warrenty for the BMW motorcyle. Mine was a '96 RT. What warrenty. Just more BS from Spiegler.

For my LT, when it comes time, I'll buy Gafler or Melvin, but not Spiegler. Ever!

I checked the Gafler site and could find no fitment information re the LT. I could find almost nothing on the Melvin lines. Perhaps I did not look hard enough, but I tried them first based on your earlier reply.

 

[azpilot06]

Arthur will roast me for this...we already had this discussion on the RT board

I bought Spieglers for my RT when the OEM lines blew, and they were very helpful. I called on a Thursday, and they made up a set same-day, and shipped them to me 2nd day air, with Saturday deliver. Had UPS not....made love to the pooch, I would've gotten them in that same weekend.

It's true that you may experience a bit of grief with fit in some areas, as Spieglers cuts their lines to be the -exact- same length as the OEM lines. Braided SS is a lot less flexible in small-radius bends, so it's a bit more work getting the lines coaxed into the same shape as the flexy rubber lines that are stock. When I called Spieglers to give feedback after my install, they said they are aware that this causes some woe, but also that they've had several conversations directly with BMW Motorrad, and that BMW insists that aftermarket lines must be cut to the same length and configuration as the OEM lines in order for brakes to function properly, warranties not to be voided, etc etc etc.

As for the installation, it's pretty easy if you go one line at a time...that is, remove one stock line, find the new SS line that matches length and fitting configuration/bend, and install the new line with the new washers (and your old banjo bolt, unless you've bought new ones).

The plastic adapter they provide to twist the fittings' configuration worked OK for me...but eventually gave out about 3/4 of the way through the install. The adapter has some little plastic teeth on it, which just aren't up to the task of 10-12 adjustments. A bit annoying, but not a show-stopper.

All in all, I was happy that Speiglers helped me out (they generally make their kits to-order, as there are a ton of different configurations/colors they offer) quickly, and the kit worked well. You may find that the kit is not an absolutely perfect drop-in, and that some minor fitting is required. However, I don't know that this is totally unexpected from any manufacturer that doesn't only make parts for BMWs.

In any case, good luck on the search. If you do go the route of Spieglers, they're one of the few you can call directly (instead to having to go to a distributor), and order/purchase product.

 

[ArthurKnowles]

No worries, no roasting either. I'm just too miffed off at Spiegler to use them or recommend them again. It's a personal thing.

As for Melvin lines. Your BMW dealer can get them, and they are advertised in various magazines. I'll try and did up their contact info later tonight and post it for you.

 

[lnowell]

I ordered and received the Spiegle brake lines. I took some time off from work yesterday afternoon to install them and it went pretty smooth until: I could not figure out how to install the upper line from the brake lever to the ABS unit. I have the instructions on how to remove the right hand grip assembly, but I need to know if there is a was to just rotate it enough to get to the banjo bolt so that it can removed and reinstall with the new line.

The lower section was not that bad but I did have a time with the short line from the foot brake to the ABS. I only had to adjust two of the six lines slightly with the worthless plastic things so that part was not bad. I did notice something that did bother me - when I was reinstalling the right foot assembly, I noticed the new brake line did not twist - the joint at the lower fitting rotated - which I think is bad. I did have to make a small adjustment on this line, but it was to the fitting on the other end. Is this going to be a problem?

 

[azpilot06]

You're not going to get a lot of twist out of braided lines - adjusting the connectors to accommodate the angles is the way to go with SS lines.