Currently contemplating a full brake rebuild on my ST. If anyone has any experience with SS lines I'm all ears. I'm considering the kit from Galfer.
Thanks for the quick reply, I flipped through the manual and noticed that replacing the lines might not as difficult as I thought, but there will be a total of 16 lines to replace lol.I didn't buy the Kit, just the Front hose that goes from the Master to the ABS unit.
Worth it, I had a 98 ABSII it helped reduce mushy Brake activation on the Front only though.
Motion pro will make them in Black to match everything else.
Thank you so much for the detailed reply, I am familiar with rebuilding calipers and installing SS lines, I've done them before. And thank you all for the replies! I was torn on either a new bike or making my current st1100 road trip reliable again, and I've decided to keep it.I have a '99 BMW R1100S, purchased 4 years ago in excellent condition, always maintained. After I'd had it about 9 months I was on a long day-ride when I noticed the front wheel acting strangely and dragging the brake. If it hadn't started raining I never would have made it back. The water let it slip just enough to get home. One of the calipers was not releasing. Couldn't even push it into the shop.
While disassembling the Brembo caliper (all the BMW manuals say "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE CALIPERS" but it's only 4 bolts and it's MY caliper) I found a chunk of decomposing brake line stuck in a gallery between the caliper halves that was acting as a check valve letting pressure into but not out of the caliper. After some research, I found this is a well known and common problem for most brands of bikes in this age group, 15-20-year-old machines. DOT4 brake fluid attacks paint, plastic, and these old-style, black "rubber" brake lines. The failure mode is either like mine or an aneurysm type burst that leaves you without any brakes on that wheel.
This is all the pics of the Brembo split:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kN8PyDxEirl9iVS02
During all this, I learned several things. Galfer and Spiegler make "kits" for most bikes, BUT, they don't make the kit until you order it. There are way too many variables like different colors, extra lengths for bar-backs, etc, to stock them. But, it doesn't take them long to make a kit, even with mods you order. I got mine from Spiegler in about a week and all the lines were labeled for location making the install much easier. Spiegler also includes a plastic tool to twist the end fitting (banjo) for correct alignment. These "lines" are flexible and bend easily but do not twist at all, therefore the little tool. Both Spiegler and Galfer use 3 layer brake lines, the inner tube of PTFE (Teflon), braided stainless steel reinforcement, and an external plastic cover, either clear or colored. If the plastic cover is not used, the stainless braid will eat thru paint and plastic from vibration, bouncing, or turning the handlebars.
A Mity-Vac will greatly aid the refill and purging the air from the system.
My bike was only at 30K miles and was well maintained but there was crud in the calipers that could not be cleaned without removing the pistons. It's not the miles but the years of DOT4 that degrade the brake lines. I don't have the ST1300 service manual yet so I don't know what the Honda procedure is for servicing the calipers (BMW's "service" is replacing the calipers at $653 ea). The individual cylinders and pistons within the calipers are on a dead-end in the hydraulic systems so that when you bleed or replace the hydraulic fluid whatever is in the cylinders does not get flushed out. They are also at the bottom end of the system so anything heavier than the fluid (decomposing brake line) ends up there, but air bubbles will escape much easier.
Don't touch the sealing faces of the banjo fittings with any wrenches or pliers or you may never get that fitting to seal properly. Don't reuse the copper or aluminum banjo seals as they get work-hardened and sometimes won't seal again. Do not overtighten the banjo bolts as they are not as strong as regular bolts of that size and will break.
Replace ALL the lines that have DOT4, clutch lines, brakes, remote reservoir connections, etc.
With the tupperware, replacing the various lines, filling and bleeding, it can be an all-day job. It's not difficult but the bleeding, especially ABS systems can be very frustrating.
This was the "check valve" in my front caliper:
Thank you so much for the detailed reply, I am familiar with rebuilding calipers and installing SS lines, I've done them before. And thank you all for the replies! I was torn on either a new bike or making my current st1100 road trip reliable again, and I've decided to keep it.
My plan now is to get the SS line kit, rebuild the calipers with kits from brake crafters, and add ceramic pads to all calipers as well.
I do have access to a powder coating facility, I'm going to ask how much it'll be for me to get the calipers coated once they're off the bike, I'm thinking a dark red, I had the powder ordered already for a seperate project, might look good with some red SS lines as well.
I've not done it, but have considered it. Just a little concerned about the large outlay of $$ for perhaps a relatively small return... my ST11 ABSII brakes are quite good now.
If you do this, please post the details and the outcome.
I have decided to do exactly the same on my 2000 ST1100 , based on the fact that I have had to replace every single piece of rubber elsewhere , it makes sense to replace 20 year old rubber hoses ! I will follow along with what you do and would love to hear how it all works out and what you would recommendCurrently contemplating a full brake rebuild on my ST. If anyone has any experience with SS lines I'm all ears. I'm considering the kit from Galfer.
Can I ask, what are the benefits of ceramic pads ? thxand add ceramic pads to all calipers as well.
Quieter, less harsh on rotors, feel/grip is similar to semi-metallic pads.Can I ask, what are the benefits of ceramic pads ? thx
I ordered the lines, have yet to hear from Galfer. Rebuild kits and pads have arrived.I have decided to do exactly the same on my 2000 ST1100 , based on the fact that I have had to replace every single piece of rubber elsewhere , it makes sense to replace 20 year old rubber hoses ! I will follow along with what you do and would love to hear how it all works out and what you would recommend
Do you have the LBS also ? I had a look on the Galfer website and couldn't see a way to order a hose kit for a 2000 ST1100 TCS ABS LBS, did you use custom order ? thxI ordered the lines, have yet to hear from Galfer
Do you have the LBS also ? I had a look on the Galfer website and couldn't see a way to order a hose kit for a 2000 ST1100 TCS ABS LBS, did you use custom order ? thx
Can I ask , what colour is your bike ? I have a metallic blue with gold metal and trying to visualise what would be the best colour lines, red sounds like it might workThey didnt let me get red fittings but I'm going to call and see if that's possible.
Gloss black. No frills. I contacted galfer today and they are unable to provide colored fittings for ABS models, because there is far too many fittings required.Can I ask , what colour is your bike ? I have a metallic blue with gold metal and trying to visualise what would be the best colour lines, red sounds like it might work