View Full Version : Which HEL brake line set?
thedonal
08-01-08, 08:27 AM
Hullo,
Looking at their catalogue (for my front brakes), it looks like I can either get the two full length hoses from the master cylinder to the calipers, or also the two hoses plus the link pipe from the lever assembly/reservoir to the master cylinder.
It kind of feels like a daft question, but is it strictly necessary to get the second option, or can I just go with the main hoses to the calipers? Will it really make much of a difference without the link hose?
Cheersy
the d
I went with the first option, no real reasoning behind it - just my personal preference.
chazzyb
08-01-08, 08:37 AM
Are you sure the two-pipe versus three-pipe options aren't simply 2-line front and 2-line front+back? Just a thought.
Ignoring their shocking customer service for moment, M&P 'budget' brake lines for the front cost me £20 + P&P and are made by and despatched straight from Goodridge!
Alpinestarhero
08-01-08, 08:38 AM
I think three lines, as its a road set-up and not a race setup?
I got 3 lines when i ordered a goodridge brake line set
Matt
thedonal
08-01-08, 08:48 AM
Chazzy- it does seem to be the for the front and about £30 more (hence the ask!!!)
Matt- I'm confused! Why would less steel hose be a race set up? Surely if there's a rubber hose in the chain it will soften the response a little (enough to notice?), rather than all the pipes being braided?
For the SV as after market its recommended by HEL and Goodridge to have 2F + 1R. A dedicated line to each front caliper apose to a split shared one increases the brake force even more!!
A dedicated line to each front caliper apose to a split shared one increases the brake force even more!!
I suppose that was my personal reasoning behind the 2 lines. :D
petevtwin650
08-01-08, 09:23 AM
Twin pipe set up for me too. Allows you to get rid of that horrible pipe splitter fitted to the lower yoke.
Both setups are fine, neither will give "more force" as this is determined by the calipers and master cylinder. The 2 line setup is cheaper as there's only 2 lines and 4 banjos. The 3 line setup apes the standard setup and gives a braided line to the splitter on the bottom yoke, then 2 lines down, for this you need an extra braided line, and an extra 2 banjos so it costs more.
Some people prefer the 3 line setup because it looks neater, the 2 long lines can also IMO be a little trickier to bleed if air gets trapped at the top in the new double banjo from the master cylinder, but it's no major biggie. You can also have a 3rd type of 2 line setup: A single long line down to one caliper, then a short link line over the mudguard to the 2nd caliper. Again this is a nice neat way to do it, but less common, and thus tends to cost more than the 2 long line setup.
In real terms, once bled there will be no difference that you can feel between any of the above setups, the amount of flex in a braided line is tiny, so pick the one that you like the look of and suits your wallet.;)
thedonal
08-01-08, 11:13 AM
OK- gotcher, I think. So- I guess, if I'm switching from using the splitter to both lines out of the master cylinder, the HEL kit will contain all I need for connecting to the m.c?
Yup - it just replaces the single banjo bolt with a double.
petevtwin650
08-01-08, 11:39 AM
Yup - it just replaces the single banjo bolt with a double.
Don't forget to use a copper washer between the two banjos on the double bolt,
ie: c w/banjo/c w/banjo/c w.
The washers should be in the kit too. A total of 7.
Don't forget to use a copper washer between the two banjos on the double bolt,
ie: c w/banjo/c w/banjo/c w.
The washers should be in the kit too. A total of 7.
Wot he said :smt045
You can also have a 3rd type of 2 line setup: A single long line down to one caliper, then a short link line over the mudguard to the 2nd caliper. Again this is a nice neat way to do it, but less common, and thus tends to cost more than the 2 long line setup.
This set-up is no longer allowed for racing, even though Ducati and Triumph still use it on their road bikes. It is similar to the method used on the pointy SV, but without the god-awful metal block hanging off the right fork leg.
Some time ago a racer had his front mudguard break for some reason, which caught the wind and ripped the brake fittings out. He didn't know about it until he went for the brakes and found he had none. Unfortunately he died, and as a result the ACU have outlawed that style of brake line set-up.
John Burt
08-01-08, 12:09 PM
Yep, but dont forget the threads in the master cylinder are differrenet to the calipers, make sure you use the right bolt when your fitting them
thedonal
08-01-08, 12:18 PM
Cheers y'all- I've placed my order. A project for my week off next week!
This set-up is no longer allowed for racing, even though Ducati and Triumph still use it on their road bikes. It is similar to the method used on the pointy SV, but without the god-awful metal block hanging off the right fork leg.
Some time ago a racer had his front mudguard break for some reason, which caught the wind and ripped the brake fittings out. He didn't know about it until he went for the brakes and found he had none. Unfortunately he died, and as a result the ACU have outlawed that style of brake line set-up.
That's very interesting to know. I quite like the setup for it's neatness (Though I'm still running a 3 line rubber hose setup on my Kwak as there's very little give... I have a 2 line setup to go on some day!)
I can't imagine that the above type of accident is very likely to occur, but I see the point. Guess I don't bash fairings at high speeds....
Jambo
thedonal
08-01-08, 01:29 PM
Incidentally- what is the hose that goes over the top of the mudguard? I can see I've got hoses from the splitter to the calipers- is it also related to the brakes?
northwind
08-01-08, 01:39 PM
Yep, but dont forget the threads in the master cylinder are differrenet to the calipers, make sure you use the right bolt when your fitting them
And be VERY CAREFUL with this, HEL still have a habit of occasionally sending the wrong ones it seems.
I've done 2-down and one-down-one-across, both worked well but the 2-down is a bit harder to make tidy, and had a habit of getting in the wrong place. Now I have just one hose, and that works well too.
And be VERY CAREFUL with this, HEL still have a habit of occasionally sending the wrong ones it seems.
I've done 2-down and one-down-one-across, both worked well but the 2-down is a bit harder to make tidy, and had a habit of getting in the wrong place. Now I have just one hose, and that works well too.
Last time I saw, you only had one caliper! :)
northwind
08-01-08, 01:51 PM
Yep, one caliper one line, saves a fortune in copper washers ;)
phil24_7
09-01-08, 01:00 AM
I'm gonna be getting the 1 down, 1 across. Just gotta decide whether it's gonna be HEL, Goodridge or Earls for the lines now!
I'm gonna be getting the 1 down, 1 across. Just gotta decide whether it's gonna be HEL, Goodridge or Earls for the lines now!
Use HEL they use all SS and copper conections, where goodrige only use SS on the hoses as standard, and alloy on the banjo bolts!! you have to pay extra for SS everything, where HEL is SS everything for the same cost.
chazzyb
09-01-08, 10:03 AM
Use HEL they use all SS and copper conections, where goodrige only use SS on the hoses as standard, and alloy on the banjo bolts!! you have to pay extra for SS everything, where HEL is SS everything for the same cost.
The Goodridge hoses I have, have plated steel (not stainless) banjos and bolts. Arguably better than stainless, which can be brittle, but less bling. And copper washers.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.