Brake lines

[Nightwind15]

Hi,

Its me again Margret. I cleaned and rebuilt my master cylinders and brake calipers on the 1983 XVZ12TK and then when attempting to bleed the brakes found the brake hosed to be blocked. If there is a way of cleaning them let me know please. I suspect the hoses may have collapsed as the bike sat for 20 year prior to my getting it. I would not mind getting a new set of the rubber hoses if someone could direct me to a reasonable supplier. Every one of them are clogged or what ever.

Thanks again

Steve

[CaseyJ955]

Hi,

Its me again Margret. I cleaned and rebuilt my master cylinders and brake calipers on the 1983 XVZ12TK and then when attempting to bleed the brakes found the brake hosed to be blocked. If there is a way of cleaning them let me know please. I suspect the hoses may have collapsed as the bike sat for 20 year prior to my getting it. I would not mind getting a new set of the rubber hoses if someone could direct me to a reasonable supplier. Every one of them are clogged or what ever.

Thanks again

Steve

 

I just delinked my brakes on the cheap. What I should have done to save time and get better fitting hoses was buy the delink kit offered in the classified section. It was outside of my budget but if I had it to do over again I would buy it anyway. Im not sure what your feelings are about a delink but all new braided lines to fit our bikes and all the other trinkets, pretty nice.

 

Rubber hydraulic hoses can deteriorate from the inside out over time causing obstruction in one or both directions. Odd that they all did it. Maybe the clutch hose should be checked out to.

 

If you want OEM you might try boats.net, I got all the stuff for my forks there cheap and OEM. Not sure if they have hoses or not but worth a try.

[Nightwind15]

I looked in the classifieds, did not see a delink kit, can you provide a link to the delink????

[cowpuc]

Here ya go Margret - delink kit offered by Skydoc is here: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/photopost/showproduct.php?product=316&title=5-line-first-gen-ss-brake-line-delink-kit-with-upper-clutch-line&cat=17

 

,, strange as it may sound, I have bought my share of long term stored non running MK1's and have yet to have a brake hose I ended up having to replace or even remove and clean out... Now stuck calipers,, thats a different story.. Also had my fair share of severely locked up masters.. Any chance the issues your dealing with are something other than plugged hoses?

[Nightwind15]

I have taken the brake lines off and you cannot force air through the lines. I think I will have op for a stainless steel set unless anyone has another idea. Funny thing though the external hoses look new.

[Patmac6075]

I found a guy in Michigan that made me a complete set of stainless lines....and the price was very reasonable. I will try to find his contact info......I have been very satisfied.

[gaj1917]

I have taken the brake lines off and you cannot force air through the lines. I think I will have op for a stainless steel set unless anyone has another idea. Funny thing though the external hoses look new.

You won't regret installing SS brake lines. I installed these on my '84. Very noticeable improvement in braking. There are a sorts of SS brake line sellers out there - challenge is finding a set specific to your bike. I picked up a Galfer set on eBay. Regardless, it will set you back around $100 for a good set.

[Patmac6075]

Sorry for the delay, try brake hoses unlimited, his name is Nick Chrisman his email is goodbrakes@brakehoses.biz , he's a good guy and should still have the template from my '84

[skydoc_17]

I think the issue that needs to be clarified here is are we talking about the flexible rubber hoses that are blocked, OR are we talking about the metal "hard line" that runs down the frame that connect to the rubber hoses. Replacement of the rubber hoses with S.S. lines is an excellent idea, but won't address an issue with the hard line being blocked. I personally have dealt with a few First Gens. that have had a blocked hard line. When the bike sits for a number of years with very old brake fluid in the lines, the water that has been absorbed by the brake fluid actually RUSTS the inside of the hard line, causing the blockage. In my opinion, trying to remove the rust is a fruitless effort. Even if you can clear the blockage, once rust forms on the inside of the hard brake line, it's like a "cancer" and will continue to contaminate the brake fluid, damaging the seals of the calipers and master cylinder. On the MKI First Gen. there is only one hard line running from the rear master cylinder to the junction of the left front caliper at the front of the bike. The De-Link kit I offer for the First Gens. takes this hard line out of the braking system completely. The other advantage of the De-Link Kit is that when it is installed, BOTH front calipers are activated by the right front brake lever, allowing for EQUAL braking force on both sides of the front rim, (ZERO brake steer) and the rear caliper is activated by the foot pedal, which allows for rear brake activation only during low speed "parking lot" type maneuvers.

I created the De-Link kit for my own 87'VR when I laid down my bike TWICE at low speed, transitioning from a paved road to a gravel driveway. I tapped the rear foot pedal and the left front caliper locked up on the gravel. NO damage to my bike, but my pride was a little sore. After the second time, I knew that there must be a better way to control my motorcycle with the front and rear brakes and I went to work on the De-Link Kit. The last thing I would like to mention is in the "Ride Like A Pro" video series, you will hear a lot about the "Friction Zone" which is the application of the rear brake only while throttling up the engine. I use this technique regularly for slow speed maneuvers around parked cars, sloped roadways, and gravel roads. This is a very powerful riding tool, and the De-Link Kit allows you to use this tool like a Pro.

Questions, parts? Feel free to PM me.

Earl