Galfer Brake Lines

[ricky racer]

Has anyone here installed Galfer braided lines on their R1100S? I purchased a set but they apparently not a drop in replacement. Are the Spiegler lines??

[R1100S-Slick]

I installed Venthill's. You get to declare the length and fittings shapes , angles, type. Very good service and phone follow up. If you install the bar backs you may need longer lines. I did have Galfer Line, which made it to the top of the triple clamp, but If I wanted go higher I needed longer F Brake lines.

[ckcarr]

ABS or not?

I bought some Galfers off eBay that said they were for ABS but weren't. Galfer doesn't make those.

Spiegler for ABS. Check their website

https://spieglerusa.com/

[ricky racer]

Yes, ABS. I purchased Galfer lines from a supplier. Galfer made the lines for me and shipped them direct to me. All of the lines except the rear line have banjo fittings on both ends. The biggest thing that causes an issue is the area where the front lines tee together. The OEM lines tee at a manifold block. A steel tubing extends over to the left hand fork leg where the hose connect to it. It looks like Galfer expects me to bypass (remove the tee) and stack the three lines together on a banjo bolt and droop them to the front calipers. I guess I'm supposed to tie wrap the lines to something for support.... The rear OEM line has a nearly 90* bend at the banjo fitting while the Galfer is probably closer to 30*. I think I'm going to give Galfer a call and see what they were thinking when they made this set.

[ckcarr]

Sorry about that. They need to make them right IMO.

I haven't got around to rebuying from Spiegler yet. It will be a winter project.

[sgoodwin]

Sounds like you got the wrong ones. I have Galfers on mine but it's a two line front set up which I like better than the "T", it's easier to bleed. Just an fyi, the banjos can be rotated if they're wrong but if the angle is wrong it's not the right line. Not sure about my rear line, it could be any one of Galfer, Goodrich or Speigler's.

[Suds]

Galfer make 2 different kits for the front, one has 3 lines and utilizes the stock cross pipe and the othe uses 2 lines eliminating the cross pipe. If using barracks the line from the master cylinder can be made longer, I asked for mine to be made 1 3/4" longer.
The rear line can be made so the hard pipe can also be eliminated.
D218-2 2 line kit for front
D218-4 3 line kit for front
D218-R rear line

[ricky racer]

Well I'm just a little embarrassed. It seems that the reason my new lines didn't fit is because I mistakenly ordered the wrong lines. The lines they sent me were exactly what I ordered. The lines were for an R1100RS .
I called Galfer's Customer Service Department and left a message. I received a call back from them the next day. Their representative was very helpful and offered to exchange the lines as soon as they receive the incorrect ones I ordered. Great customer service is hard to come by these days and I am more than happy with Galfer. I just wanted to follow up and not leave you all thinking poorly of Galfer.

[wswartzwel]

Hmm, sounds like something I would do these days... getting old has its joys Glad they are going to help you out..

[bobby11]

I plan to replace the lines on my r1100s (with ABSII) with Speigler lines this winter as well. I bled the brakes on my Norton years ago but have little experience in bleeding brakes, especially on a bike with ABS. I have watched some YouTube videos and read through the Haynes manual but still have questions. For instance, the right front caliper on my bike does not have a bleed valve. Doesn't that side need to be bleed like the other calipers? Also, it seems like using the Mityvac is a more controlled way to do the bleeding than hand pumping. Can anyone direct me to their favorite video, perhaps for this specific bike? Any help for a complete novice will be much appreciated.

[Lowndes]

Bobby,

I replaced the OEM lines with Spiegler's a year ago. Not a hard job (after you get the tupperware and tank off). The bike ('99 R1100S) has the ABSII system, I believe, and just a "pass thru" on the hydraulic systems. There are two bleed nipples on top of it for each (F & R) system. They are just "high points" in the hydraulic system where air bubbles will get trapped.

Bleeding can be very frustrating however you do it. The lines are very small and getting all the air out can take several tries. Sometimes letting it sit overnight helps you and the bike. Sometimes bubbles get trapped in the banjo fittings causing bad words. Get some clear plastic tubing and several large cans of DOT4. Don't reuse it.

I replaced the front crossover lines with the double down-lines that Ricky Racer and Suds referred to. Fewer fittings to leak.

I had to disassemble and clean out the calipers. Crud from the OEM brakelines lodged in the calipers and locked up my front wheel.

Lots of pics here:

https://goo.gl/photos/tbwbphwPHXBPLQvH7

[bobby11]

Thanks for those pictures. Great!