Brake Line Replacement

[RaYzerman19]

Brake hoses are made to resist all manner of harsh chemicals..... fork oil is basically hydraulic fluid, not that harsh and will not 'eat' brake hoses....... wipe them rotors, hoses and pads down with some naptha, kerosene or mineral sprits and follow up with isopropanol, then soap and water, blow dry. Done. That said, if it's a non-ABS, hose replacement is relatively simple. ABS is a nightmare due to all the special bent steel lines, etc. Will you notice better braking with braided stainless lines, yes (I have on vintage bikes). Your pads may hold some residual oil if they were soaked, you'll only know if you notice reduced braking effectiveness.

 

[WBill]

Brake hoses are made to resist all manner of harsh chemicals..... fork oil is basically hydraulic fluid, not that harsh and will not 'eat' brake hoses....... wipe them rotors, hoses and pads down with some naptha, kerosene or mineral sprits and follow up with isopropanol, then soap and water, blow dry. Done. That said, if it's a non-ABS, hose replacement is relatively simple. ABS is a nightmare due to all the special bent steel lines, etc. Will you notice better braking with braided stainless lines, yes (I have on vintage bikes). Your pads may hold some residual oil if they were soaked, you'll only know if you notice reduced braking effectiveness.

OK, that's good to know. There is a big fat sleeve around the front hoses. I'll tell my mechanic to skip the hoses and pads and do the pads myself if they need it. Thanks as always, WBill

 

[VTGuy]

While on the road(erie pa), I replaced the front brake fluid and bled the front brakes using a cheap bleed kit i purchased at autozone. On the way back to Rochester yesterday, I drove along Lake Erie in the wind coming ashore. Up till that point, I had no questions about the front suspention settings. However, in that wind, the bike felt more like an airplane that a motorcycle.. in low speed bumpy corners it was completely unpredictable. In one tight corner the wind seemingly picked it up causing me to have to brake to avoid leaving the pavement on the outside of the curve. So.. when i got to Buffalo, I stopped for lunch and then decided to just increase the spring preload by two clicks. What a difference that made.. Just now, i determined that it is now set to click 3 out of 6.. meaning that it was at click 1.. i had heard that previous owner did not drive it fast.. now i may know why. I stopped at the yamaha dealer in Buffalo and talked with the service guy about the wind issues.. He seemed to suggest that the wind does sometimes make sport/touring bikes feel funny. The effect was almost to oppsite of what one might think that increasing spring preload would help. As the bike was already being lifted upward. At the time, I did not know my front fork setting was set to 1. Neverthess, he agreeded with my decision to boost the spring preload..

 

[VTGuy]

Well.. I followed the general advice (here) on the brakes, and it paid off. I flushed all lines (brakes and clutch) and replaced what was there with synth. DOT 4. Bled them as well as i could. Now.. the bike stops the way i figured it should have from the start. Thanks for telling me not to worry about the brake lines. At least not worry right now.