Hoses Are My Kryptonite

[Dana in Philly]

The rear brake on my -- let's face it, 18 year old -- R1100S felt mushy last week. Gotta bleed it, I thought.

Oh, no. Not so fast.

Inspected the line, and there was a pinhole leak just upstream of the caliper connection. Pressed the foot lever, and psssssst, a little squirt.

Which, of course, had been going on for a few days, splattering brake fluid on the wheel. So, first order of business was to get everything rinsed off to prevent continued damage. Luckily, things weren't that bad. Then, figuring this was reality telling me to do the Spiegler upgrade NOW, rather than waiting for the winter break, I ordered a full set, rear AND FRONT from Ted Porter's Beemershop. Ted was very nice in checking about model and year so I got the correct kit.

And, or course, looking at things, found a little rust around the rear master cylinder bracket (somebody previously had let the thing leak a little on refill or bleed and not cleaned up). So there's that to fix. And I had to replace the silly foam washer at the brake pedal.

[Dana in Philly]

But, after a few hours of messing with effin' hoses -- gawd I hate messin' with hoses -- so fidgety -- and refilling and bleeding, it looks pretty good.



And the front:







About the most useful thing I've seen about all this is the tip to have a spray bottle filled with water nearby, for the inevitable brake fluid spills.

[Dana in Philly]

Gotta get a small wire brush, then I can tackle that rust on the rear master cylinder bracket.

[spacewrench]

Could you post a picture of the front end of the rear brake line (the area around the right footpeg)? I've been thinking about replacing that zig-zaggy hard pipe (and other bits) with a simple loop of braided hose, but I'd like to see how professionals like Speigler do it.

[Dana in Philly]

The Spiegler kit for the rear line included just the hose from that hard pipe to the caliper (and some crush washers and adjustment bits). It didn't include replacements for the other fiddly bits.

But here, here's a pic:



I've circled where the Spiegler braided line connects to the OEM piping.

[ckcarr]

At this age of the bikes, the brake lines have got to be one of the most important things to check. My 2000, when I squeeze the front brake lever, the original rubber hose swells up like a balloon. Well, not that big, but definitely noticeable. So I need to do the Spiegler upgrade also. I just haven't got around to it since I have other vehicles to drive and ride...

[spacewrench]

Thanks for the photo, @Dana. I guess I'm on my own with the modification I'd like to do. I'll have to look more carefully to be sure I don't make a mess for myself, or make future repairs harder.

[sgoodwin]

Space, they also make a rear brake line that connects to the rear master cylinder directly eliminating the steel line. It doesn't loop, it has an angled fitting. Just call & talk to them or you can get it from Galfer or Goodrich. Frankly it works the same anyway as it is a steel line & won't expand.

[Chris Canning]

You guys certainly can’t complain about not having your moneys worth think my original brake pipes were taken off before the end of 98

[Dana in Philly]

Yeah, Chris, I guess I got my 18 years of work outta those hoses. Worth every penny!

If it ain't broke....

[Chris Canning]

I still have the original brake pipes attached to the stock calipers they were taken off when the bike had 500/600 miles and been wrapped up in a box ever since.

[spacewrench]

Riding without brakes is pretty ballsy, but I bet you're much better at throttle control!

[wswartzwel]

Lol!

[Chris Canning]

Interesting idea but they were replaced with AP 6 pots and now PFM 6 pots and full floating discs.

[Dana in Philly]

I only use the rear brake if I'm stopped on hills.