Braided hoses

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

I do the hoses mate....if your sure its not air...the standard ones aren't up to much anyway, they don't stand the test of time much, i've never had a problem with the braided ones, they stop on a pin, but them others.....ooooooo they have to think before they stop you

Do they ever, I've over-run several turn-offs due to following my dad too close. He brakes late, I brake, then my bike thinks about it, by the time its done it I'm having to do a u-turn to get back to where I'm supposed to go!

Right, I'll consult my cheif mechanic

Matt

I've been thinking about this- both front and back brakes on my bike are a bit spongy. I had the rear pads replaced a couple of months ago and my mechanic bled the system and said that he was surprised by the amount of travel on the back brake pedal before the brake bit.

The front brakes are well spongy- compared to my brother's CBR400 which I have to be VERY delicate with compared to mine.

I may invest in some braided hoses myself in this case- how difficult are they to change?

they recomend changing the lines after 4 years, so you are overdue........DO IT

Originally Posted by thedonal

I've been thinking about this- both front and back brakes on my bike are a bit spongy. I had the rear pads replaced a couple of months ago and my mechanic bled the system and said that he was surprised by the amount of travel on the back brake pedal before the brake bit.

The front brakes are well spongy- compared to my brother's CBR400 which I have to be VERY delicate with compared to mine.

I may invest in some braided hoses myself in this case- how difficult are they to change?

Not very difficult i dont think, its a case of draining the system, unbolting the old ones and boting on the new, as far as it looks like (but probably more complicated!)

I need my back brake done i think, but its not too bad and I'm not too bothered as I only use it for slow riding

Matt

Originally Posted by hovis

they recomend changing the lines after 4 years, so you are overdue........DO IT

Ah, could explain my problem. No known knowledge of these lines ever being changed

Matt

[northwind]

Braided hoses don't make much difference vs good condition rubber hoses, but if the old ones are tired then it could. There's other stuff that can cause a lack of initial bite, glazed pads, dodgy master cylinder etc... But yep, the old ones will be overdue for replacement (so will your coolant and fuel hoses I think, but nobody ever replaces those...) and it's not brain surgery, if you can bleed brakes you can fit hoses.

I reckon in most cases where people are really impressed by braided hoses, there was either a problem with the old system, or it's down to the new fluid and bleed. But then, I'm a cynic I didn't notice any substantial difference at all, going from newish fluid in 4-year-old, good condition rubber to braided steel.

Originally Posted by northwind

Braided hoses don't make much difference vs good condition rubber hoses, but if the old ones are tired then it could. There's other stuff that can cause a lack of initial bite, glazed pads, dodgy master cylinder etc... But yep, the old ones will be overdue for replacement (so will your coolant and fuel hoses I think, but nobody ever replaces those...) and it's not brain surgery, if you can bleed brakes you can fit hoses.

I reckon in most cases where people are really impressed by braided hoses, there was either a problem with the old system, or it's down to the new fluid and bleed. But then, I'm a cynic I didn't notice any substantial difference at all, going from newish fluid in 4-year-old, good condition rubber to braided steel.

Hmm, i see. Thanks northy. My dad thinks that the old fluid (which was seriously manky) may have caused some damage to things inside the master cylinder. I certainly think that it would have caused damage to the inside of the hoses, along with general environmental wear.

I'll keep on thinking and consulting then

Matt

I may do this in the new year then- got some new (sintered) pads for the front last week- before my Wales trip (at the last minute!!!), but that was cos they looked really worn at first inspection- when using a torch of sufficient strength, they were fine. So, for the first time since getting my bike, I'm actually prepared in advance!!!

[dizzyblonde]

Suzy was fitted with braided hoses when she was a wee bairn....in other words within a couple of months of her being rode out of the showroom from brand new....... Im indoors thought the original hoses were really poor and did em himself. So in my situation there was never an issue with em being worn or old......however the black one's.....who's to say how long they've been on, it hasn't been a permanent member of the family from new

[yorkie_chris]

At first glance it sounds like you've still got air in the system, I'd try bleeding from the banjos as to see if that improves things

However the rubber hoses have probably been on there for at least 5 years, it is recommended that they are only used for 2 years.
The hoses as they wear will have some 'give' in them so this is probably a factor.
No point getting fresh rubber ones as they are actually more expensive than a HEL kit, which are lifetime guaranteed, IIRC they even come in yellow if you're a bit of a tart like that.

They're not expensive, its not a hard job to do, so get some bought.