SS BRAKE LINE LENGTHS-?

[L J VFR]

Hello all..   Looking at purchasing SS brake lines for the magna..   I have found 2 different brake lines in my Dennis Kirk magazine. Both SS.  However, one says it is for 96-99 magna's and it is $31.00.  The other says it is for 94-2003 magna's and it is $70.00.  Was there a difference in the lines from 96-99, or could I purchase these??  They are SS and are significantly cheaper.    Aren't all the bikes the same regarding brake line lengths, etc..??      Lance

[Jester]

do you have a link?

thanks

jess

[lragan]

Lance, from all I can see, all the 3rd gen year models use the same pieces parts.

I just this morning installed a new SS brake line from Dave Dodge, which I paid $49 plus $5.60 shipping by USPS.

It is part number GDR-7348M-FK.   I laid it out against the stock line before I put it on, at it is precisely the same length.  I haven't ridden the bike yet, but put in the HH sintered pads at the same time.  Wish I had put in the pads, ridden, then the SS line and ridden again, to get some idea of which did what.

What I did not get is all the grommets and protective tubing that came on the stock line.  I found an old grommet in my scrap bin that I used for one of them (Had to cut it, of course.  The stock line has the ends suaged on after the grommets, etc. are installed.)

Thought I would never get the system bled.  I don't have a brake bleeder, but I finally cleaned up a pump oil can and ran fluid up from the bottom.  Then I pumped at least three reservoirs through with no bubbles into a scrap bucket.  Used nearly an entire can of DOT-4.  There's gotta be a better way...

Maybe I just need a much longer bleed line.  Used to have the same problem on brakes on a light aircraft I owned.  Fixed it by running a long bleed line all the way back up to the reservoir, and pumping until there were no bubbles in the line.  Shoulda thought of that before now!!

[L J VFR]

Thanks Lawrence for the info...  I looked on line today at Dennis Kirk and all they show is the $70.00 line for sale..  In my 2007 catalog however, there is another vendor that sales a SS line for 96-99 magna's for the $30.00 dollar price..    Hmmm..  I guess I need to call Dave dodge..  I was kind of stunned by the shipping problems people were having...  so I was looking elsewhere..  I know, I know...   

[lragan]

Talk to Dave about delivery time if it is an issue with you.  He did mention that he had "only one in stock" last week when I ordered mine.  You should ask if it is on back order, or if he makes them up himself, I don't know who actually manufactures the part.

[lragan]

Well, I took it for a short ride -- couldn't stand it, even if is is hot today.  After a few stops to "wear in" the new pads, it stops on a dime.

I don't know if a panic stop would be any shorter or not, but I can assure you that it feels much more solid, and you don't have to squeeze the right grip 'til the oil seeps out of the plastic!!

Now I suppose the next "must have" is a set of progressive springs...

[mainerider]

Well, I took it for a short ride -- couldn't stand it, even if is is hot today.  After a few stops to "wear in" the new pads, it stops on a dime.

I don't know if a panic stop would be any shorter or not, but I can assure you that it feels much more solid, and you don't have to squeeze the right grip 'til the oil seeps out of the plastic!!

Now I suppose the next "must have" is a set of progressive springs...

I was just logging on to post a question about the grommets and protective rubber covering when I saw your post here on the same topic...Could you cut the oem grommet located on the fender brake line bracket and re-use it?  Is it possible to slip the OEM grommet over the hardware end of the DD cable and re-use it? Also, did you bother replacing the tie up near the tree that holds the brake and speedo cables?  I would like to have everything on hand before I yank the OEM cable off.  Thanks.
Joe

[Magna86]

I installed the SS lines on my magna and definately felt the difference. Go buy a vacuum pump for bleeding from the parts store. Its worth the money and you may use it in the future. I found the rubber grommets didn't go over the end of the lines. So I just cut the old one with a razor and wrapped it on the new line. After wrapping it just run a bit of electrical tape around the grommets and wedge into the holder. Works great and no one can tell. Yes use new tie wraps for the line and cables on the triple tree. Might want to look into the SS clutch line too. Love mine

[mainerider]

I installed the SS lines on my magna and definately felt the difference. Go buy a vacuum pump for bleeding from the parts store. Its worth the money and you may use it in the future. I found the rubber grommets didn't go over the end of the lines. So I just cut the old one with a razor and wrapped it on the new line. After wrapping it just run a bit of electrical tape around the grommets and wedge into the holder. Works great and no one can tell. Yes use new tie wraps for the line and cables on the triple tree. Might want to look into the SS clutch line too. Love mine

Thanks for the tips. I actually did buy a pump a month or so ago and used it to bleed the old fluid; it worked great. $40 but worth every penny, considering it should last me for years.  The SS clutch line is next on the list.  Thanks again.
Joe

[lragan]

How embarrassing!!  I own a vacuum pump -- have had it for 20+ years for Air Conditioner work. 

So I will continue to display my ignorance.  How do you use it without pumping brake fluid into/through it??  Do you just suck on the bleed line with the bleed valve open???

[mainerider]

How embarrassing!!  I own a vacuum pump -- have had it for 20+ years for Air Conditioner work. 

So I will continue to display my ignorance.  How do you use it without pumping brake fluid into/through it??  Do you just suck on the bleed line with the bleed valve open???

On mine at least, it works like this... from right to left, pump gun attaches to a short plastic piece of tubing which in turn attaches to a plastic jar top which has two outlet pipes. A longer piece of tubing attaches to the other outlet pipe on the jar top.  That tubing connects either directly to the bleeder valve on your brake or a little adapter is put on the bleeder valve tip in case your tubing is a different size than the your bleeder valve tip; my pump came with several adapters.

Start some suction by pumping the gun  a few times, then open up the bleeder valve, and continue pumping. The brake fluid will run into the plastic jar that is attached to the jar top described above. Continue to add brake fluid into the master cylinder while pumping out the old stuff. When done, just wash the hoses and jar with some soap and water and air dry.  Hope this helps.
Joe

[lragan]

Thanks, Joe.  I think this may be what is also known as a "brake bleeder" set -- with the collection jar and all, that makes perfect sense.

My powered vacuum pump for A/C service is irrelevant to this discussion.  I will look for a brake bleeder kit to add to my tool collection.  Perhaps I can find one at a bargain...

[Jerry G Turner]

Harbor freight has them for 34 to 37 dollars they are worth the money.


 
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Photo Item Description Price
  38053-5VGA
Mityvac BRAKE AND CLUTCH BLEEDING KIT      $33.99
 
  39522-8VGA
Mityvac MITYVAC VACUUM PUMP      $36.99
 




   
       


















   





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[lragan]

Thanks, Jerry

[TLRam1]

Lawrence,


I was unable to get mine to pump up also and I am not patient. After 3 days of jacking with it a little each night. I did the reverse with a syringe and pushed fluid from the caliper back up to the MC, than bleed the traditional way.