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Brake line education
- Topper
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14 May 2012 17:46 #522333
by Topper
Permanent and perpetual noob.
1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys
Brake line education was created by Topper
Hi,
Looking for some education on brake lines. I've heard that you can get a lot more feel out of the brakes on these old KZs by upgrading to braided stainless steel lines.
Is this so? This is for a '79 KZ750 with a big single disc up front.
I assume I'll need some banjo bolt to straight adapters and the proper length stainless steel lines. Anything else?
Anything I should look out for when choosing the lines themselves?
Thanks!
Looking for some education on brake lines. I've heard that you can get a lot more feel out of the brakes on these old KZs by upgrading to braided stainless steel lines.
Is this so? This is for a '79 KZ750 with a big single disc up front.
I assume I'll need some banjo bolt to straight adapters and the proper length stainless steel lines. Anything else?
Anything I should look out for when choosing the lines themselves?
Thanks!
Permanent and perpetual noob.
1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys
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- mark1122
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14 May 2012 18:05 - 14 May 2012 18:08 #522338
by mark1122
76 KZ, frame gusset work,1200CC.Ported by Larry Cavanaugh, 1.5mm.over intakes, Carron Pipe, ZRX12 rear end, and seat,96zx9 front end.
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
~ ~ ~_@
~ ~ _- \,
~ (k) / (z)
Replied by mark1122 on topic Brake line education
i dont know that u will feel a big dif Topper. maybe if your line r old and loosing there stiffness. i have stainless lines, but i changed everything at once (modern cals, disks, master, lines)so i cant say for sure. from what i read, the steel lines r firmer so they dont flex when u apply the brakes. the racers say that as the fluid heats up from heavy breaking, u can notice the lever getting closer and closer to the handle bars. the heat from the fluid softens the rubber lines and they expand as the pressure builds in them. Then the brakes don’t feel as hard, crisp or firm. They feel softer or mushy. They call this brake fade.
so on casual braking u wouldn’t notice it as much as repeated hard braking. the rear brake would be for looks only.
but the lines r cheap at Z1E so i'd say change them out if there old. i'll say about $10 per fitting and $15 for a line . for a ball park $.They have the Russel universal lines . u order the lines and the fittings and just screw the fittings on yourself. its all pretty straight forward.the trick will be that cal fitting. cal Z1E and ask for help. they r great guys.
so on casual braking u wouldn’t notice it as much as repeated hard braking. the rear brake would be for looks only.
but the lines r cheap at Z1E so i'd say change them out if there old. i'll say about $10 per fitting and $15 for a line . for a ball park $.They have the Russel universal lines . u order the lines and the fittings and just screw the fittings on yourself. its all pretty straight forward.the trick will be that cal fitting. cal Z1E and ask for help. they r great guys.
76 KZ, frame gusset work,1200CC.Ported by Larry Cavanaugh, 1.5mm.over intakes, Carron Pipe, ZRX12 rear end, and seat,96zx9 front end.
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
~ ~ ~_@
~ ~ _- \,
~ (k) / (z)
Last edit: 14 May 2012 18:08 by mark1122.
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- OKC_Kent
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14 May 2012 18:06 - 14 May 2012 18:08 #522339
by OKC_Kent
Oklahoma City, OK
78 KZ650 B2 82,000+ miles
Replied by OKC_Kent on topic Brake line education
I just added a stainless line on my 650. The brake feel is better, but the feeling you'll have knowing you have a better line than before is the best.
I bought two lines, 3 angled and 1 straight banjo, and a package of crush washers. I reused the banjo bolts. Got everything from Z1 Enterprises for about $85, which included shipping. Check out Z1's brake line pages and follow the suggestions, it's easy. I bought the Goodridge lines, so you measure your old line length from banjo to banjo and subtract 3" (the length of two new banjo's) for your new line length.
I bought two lines, 3 angled and 1 straight banjo, and a package of crush washers. I reused the banjo bolts. Got everything from Z1 Enterprises for about $85, which included shipping. Check out Z1's brake line pages and follow the suggestions, it's easy. I bought the Goodridge lines, so you measure your old line length from banjo to banjo and subtract 3" (the length of two new banjo's) for your new line length.
Oklahoma City, OK
78 KZ650 B2 82,000+ miles
Last edit: 14 May 2012 18:08 by OKC_Kent. Reason: add stuff
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- martin_csr
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14 May 2012 18:08 - 23 Feb 2013 16:08 #522340
by martin_csr
Last edit: 23 Feb 2013 16:08 by martin_csr.
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- MFolks
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14 May 2012 18:12 #522342
by MFolks
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
Replied by MFolks on topic Brake line education
More possible choices:
Brake Lines
www.galferusa.com/html/ss_line_kits.html
inlinetube.com/
www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm
www.helusa.com (the brand I'm using on my bike)
www.russellperformance.com/metric_two-line.shtml
www.goodridge.co.uk/motorcycle-brake-lines/kawasaki.htm
www.cyclebrakes.com/html/galfer_brake_lines.html
Brake Lines
www.galferusa.com/html/ss_line_kits.html
inlinetube.com/
www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/brakelines.cfm
www.helusa.com (the brand I'm using on my bike)
www.russellperformance.com/metric_two-line.shtml
www.goodridge.co.uk/motorcycle-brake-lines/kawasaki.htm
www.cyclebrakes.com/html/galfer_brake_lines.html
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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- 650ed
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14 May 2012 18:15 #522343
by 650ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Replied by 650ed on topic Brake line education
Hi,
Be sure to buy a set with the proper angles on the fittings to match your stock brake lines. Also, get lines that are plastic covered; the raw stainless will saw though anything it rubs against. Below is a link to a supplier so you can see some of the options. There are of course other suppliers that may have even more goodies.
Ed
www.cyclebrakes.com/html/custom_lines.html
Be sure to buy a set with the proper angles on the fittings to match your stock brake lines. Also, get lines that are plastic covered; the raw stainless will saw though anything it rubs against. Below is a link to a supplier so you can see some of the options. There are of course other suppliers that may have even more goodies.
Ed
www.cyclebrakes.com/html/custom_lines.html
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- Kapahulu
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14 May 2012 18:25 - 14 May 2012 18:26 #522344
by Kapahulu
1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
2strokeworld.com
Replied by Kapahulu on topic Brake line education
Try this vendor on e-bay: rennsport auto parts
The guy's name is Raymond. I've ordered several sets of lines from him and he has the best combination of quality and price. Besides the lines, he includes all the fittings and copper washers.
If you can't reach him at the number listed on e-bay, try this one: four 16, two 91, three 953.
It's a good idea to take measurements of the lines, note whether the banjos are straight or angled, write it all down, and then be next to the bike when you call him in case he has other questions.
The guy's name is Raymond. I've ordered several sets of lines from him and he has the best combination of quality and price. Besides the lines, he includes all the fittings and copper washers.
If you can't reach him at the number listed on e-bay, try this one: four 16, two 91, three 953.
It's a good idea to take measurements of the lines, note whether the banjos are straight or angled, write it all down, and then be next to the bike when you call him in case he has other questions.
1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
2strokeworld.com
Last edit: 14 May 2012 18:26 by Kapahulu.
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