I`m just in the process of overhaul the front calipers and renewed the seals and pistons.Before I complete the job what is the opinion of fitting replacement stainless steel brake lines -do they justify the extra expense ?
I've put them on every bike I've owned since the mid '80s, and they are definitely worth the time/money, but just for the fronts. The improvement in braking feel and power is noticeable, and I'm fairly sure that whatever lining they have (teflon?) doesn't bleed into the brake fluid like the black rubber hose does, so your fluid will stay cleaner looking as well.I`m just in the process of overhaul the front calipers and renewed the seals and pistons.Before I complete the job what is the opinion of fitting replacement stainless steel brake lines -do they justify the extra expense ?
I've not heard of a brake line failing unless it was damaged, but it probably has happened. The performance gain by changing to BSS was the reason that I changed. And IIRC the BSS lines are cheaper than replacing with the original OEM ones.What is Honda's recommendation for replacing the brake hoses? I have mine down right now to replace the seals and do a good cleaning but was just curious about the lifespan of the original hoses.
21 years seems like I have gotten my money's worth from the originals.
Most MFG suggest a replacement after 4~5 years... at the driving school they'd given us a number of 5 years...What is Honda's recommendation for replacing the brake hoses?
All good points and I fully agree. There is nothing wrong with OEM lines that SS is going to make better.I actually can't really follow the hype over braided lines, their length and fitments are far from perfect, so one might end up with quite some trouble to route them accordingly, their also way too thin to fit the rubber blocks in the clamps, so further issues there to get them on properly so the won't cause trouble or rub on fairing parts and other structures... whilst OEM lines provide a simple drop-in installation, having all the protective sleeving attached where required, angle and direction of them banjos comes as needed, they will fit the fixing brackets, etc...
I'm rather focussing on a quality brake-fluid and a proper bleeding job during the annual replacement... YMMV though...
Given that the ST is an overweight pig to begin with, and probably many riders ride it non-agressively anyway, I'm going to qualify my comments a bit with that caveat. On any other bike with a greater level of performance than the ST this statement is totally incorrect. SS lines, due to their lack of flex, greatly improve the braking feel through the lever, and also increase the available power with less lever travel. Rubber brake lines expand under the fluid pressure and do not come anywhere close to the feel of SS lines. I've replaced them on every bike I've owned since the mid-80s and have noticed a definite improvement in braking feel on every one of those bikes, including the ST. This is the first time I've encountered this indifference to SS lines in the m/c community, usually anyone who's installed them is very glad they did.All good points and I fully agree. There is nothing wrong with OEM lines that SS is going to make better.
Yes, same here, I also switched mine in the first few months of ownership. I was comparing brand new OEM vs. SS, and the difference is more in the feel, not the outright power. Its easy to see, if you grab the front brake with the bike stopped and look at the OEM rubber hoses, you can actually see them expand under the fluid pressure. That expansion is converting potential braking force into wasted force, the non-flexing SS lines are more linear, and ultimately more powerful, but I will agree that the rubber ones are still powerful enough to lock the wheel.Bush,
I'm not arguing 'stopping power'... it was brake handle feel that bothered me, it was softer than the other bike and it wouldn't bleed to 'hard'.
I agree, after you get to locking up the front, it's pretty much over...