Braided lines and brake pads
 

I'm going to get some braided lines on the front before I refit my callipers. Makes sense to do it now, even though money is tight! As such I'm not looking for a premium grade super shiny mega fancy banjo bolt type. I just want a good upgrade over original rubber rubbish that is good value. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Also is there much benefit to getting the racing setup (two lines from master cylinder)? I read this makes it possible to bleed one calliper at a time, but I don't intend to be bleeding my brakes every day before my next track day. This is for road use only.

Wemoto has a HEL kit for £50. I'm wondering if there is a better value alternative (not that £50 is bad)?

All advice appreciated.

Edit: Ignore the brake pads bit in the title. I found the answer to my question: Sintered pads last longer! :)

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

What ever you fit make sure nothing rubs on the plastic coating of the lines. Once anything rubs through the plastic coating it will expose the braiding which then starts to chew through (or weight optimise) what ever it was that rubbed through the plastic. Easily fixed by sticking a bit more plastic tube over the exposed braiding but could be nasty if not spotted early enough.

Also once fitted, lift the bike so the forks are fully extended and make sure your routing still has sufficient slack. You can borrow my head-lift if you want to do it sensibly or fabricate something out of some railway sleepers, rope, spaghetti and an old downton abbey box-set if you prefer.

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

I was looking yesterday at a way to jack my bike up under the engine block but it's impossible. There's nothing to get leverage on since it has four pipes coming off the head which cover the entire underneath. Somehow I don't think exhaust pipes are a good jacking point. The only other point is to jack it up under the sump bolt which doesn't sound like a good idea either! Wouldn't mind borrowing that lift if that's ok then? Roping it into the sky via my flimsy garage roof is ringing alarm bells too! :)

How does your head lift work? I think I remember you saying it'd be a pain in the **** for a bike with fairings?

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

It doesn't matter which hoses you buy, they're all the same - find the cheapest you can get, they will perform exactly the same as the dearest. Despite your entirely understandable no-bling desire, give consideration to stainless end fittings.

It doesn't matter what setup routing wise you use, the bleeding process is the same, and there's no truth in the claim that it allows you to bleed a single caliper, that is sometimes true and sometimes not irrespective of the lines' routing. The advantage of the so called 'race' setup is that there are two lines instead of three, which is cheaper as the fittings rather than the hose is where the money goes.

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

That's what I suspected. Cheers Ian. Interestingly the 'over the mudguard' non-race setup is cheaper in most cases. I suppose that's because there is less hose. One down to the right calliper and then a short one over to the left calliper, rather than two long hosed from a t-piece near the master cylinder.

Right time to get shopping around. :)

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

As long as you've got a paddock stand and/or an abba stand we should be OK. Just need to make sure there's nothing too plastic in the way of the arm when it goes up but it's a very manageable lift so unlikely to suddenly launch your plastics around the garage.

I can pop it down one evening if you want. There's nothing on TV these days so may as well come and have a laugh at your bike spread all over the garage :)

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

Cheers muchly buddy. Most of the bike is inside. I did the messy bit in the garage of dismantling it but now my callipers are inside ready for a good scrub and rebuild. I'm not in a rush as I think most braided line kits are made to order so will probably be a week wait. Will give you a shout! :)

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

Ahh, pointing and laughing - the best part of having 'friends'.

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

Nah, if you're going for standard set up most places like m&p, busters or wemoto will have them in stock

Re: Braided lines and brake pads
 

Got a set off ebay for £45 delivered of a standard type so could be here as early as Wednesday. So yep, may be ready for it soonish!