non-ABS, braided lines, HEL Performance

ST1100Y

ST1100Y

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Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
1,430
Age
61
Location
Vienna, AuSTria
Bike
ST1100Y, ST1100R
Admittedly caught a little surprised by a bursting clutch line on a "client's" '92 ST1100, plus the fact that OEM lines have gotten rare as hen's teeth, I bit the bullet and ordered one full kit...

I'll start application on the way older '94 ST first, if that's going to work, in particular: fits as properly as advertised, the '00 ST is going to be next...

I've ordered all in black: lines, banjos, bolts + plus their "stealth" shrink tube wrapping on the press-fittings... keeping the OEM appearance as much possible...
Nothing worse as stainless (or even neon-colored) lines raising the attention of any tech inspector right at first glance across the parking lot... :rolleyes:

front brakes, 3 piece (as OEM):
www.gms-moto.eu

Braided steel brake line HEL - Honda ST1100 Pan European Non ABS (SC26) (1990-2002) - front wheel - 3-piece, (S) as original (w. ABE)

(Incl. stainless steel banjo bolts* (*for connections with ring connection/banjo), incl. copper sealing rings) #WhatsStoppingYou #RideTheBestYouCan #RideHEL Banjo bolts*, ...
www.gms-moto.eu www.gms-moto.eu

rear brake, 2 piece (as OEM):
www.gms-moto.eu

Braided steel brake line HEL - Honda ST1100 Pan European Non ABS (SC26) (1990-2002) - rear wheel - 2-piece, (HR) as original (w. ABE)

(Incl. stainless steel banjo bolts* (*for connections with ring connection/banjo), incl. copper sealing rings) #WhatsStoppingYou #RideTheBestYouCan #RideHEL Banjo bolts*, ...
www.gms-moto.eu www.gms-moto.eu

clutch line, 1 piece:
www.gms-moto.eu

Steel flex clutch line HEL - Honda ST1100 Pan European (SC26) (1990-2002) - Clutch - 1-piece, (CL)

(Incl. stainless steel banjo bolts* (*for connections with ring connection/banjo), incl. copper sealing rings) #WhatsStoppingYou #RideTheBestYouCan #RideHEL Banjo bolts*, ...
www.gms-moto.eu www.gms-moto.eu
(two types there, likely to differentiate between the recessed plastic of the '90 to '95 non-ABS & ABS-I/TCS models vs the taller handlebar cover of the post '96 non-ABS & ABS-II/CBS)

HEL Performance are the only provider "claiming" to include all distribution/mounting blocks and grommets required for proper OEM routing and installation,
plus you can (gently) rotate the banjos when needed...
(a significant issue with "cheap" lines; a pressed banjo like 45° off, twirling the hose/line once the bolts gets installed, causing it to rub on fender, fork, other parts...)
Well, I'm going to take them by their word... ;)

Front brakes and clutch are going to be pretty straightforward, routing the rear brake line will require pulling the tank though...

Price for my full kit € 340,00,- incl P&P... so praised are those with a simple non-ABS 😎
The 17 pcs kit for an ABS-II/CBS starts at eye watering € 730,00,-... 😯
 
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Well, the HEL lines arrived alright...

they do appear well made so far, but already the clutch line is missing the two rubber blocks mandatory to clip it into the tabs on the frame... :unsure:

IMG_20260526_114818.jpg

honda-st1100-paneuropean-1994-r-austria-kph-clutch-master-cylinder_bigect3l41f__0600_5f55.gif



front set appears complete though:

IMG_20260526_114826.jpg

honda-st1100-paneuropean-1994-r-austria-kph-fr-brake-master-cylinder_bigect3l41f__0500_cba5.gif



so does the rear set:

IMG_20260526_114839.jpg


honda-st1100-paneuropean-1994-r-austria-kph-rear-brake-master-cylinder_bigect3l41f__1300_9417.gif




So now I'll have to inquire them about the remain of the two mounting blocks for the clutch line...
First they claim "as OEM" and then those are not included?
 
Following. For that price, I too would expect it to be plug-and-play. But also me, I'd just cut the rubbers from the old one and reuse them. If you tell them about it, they'll either add it to future orders or ignore it since our bikes are old and not very plentiful.
 
jdmccright said:
I'd just cut the rubbers from the old one and reuse them.
Click to expand...
Won't do much good as their grommets have 6mm ID, vs the OEM lines having at least 12mm, so the HEL line would just loosely flop around...
Opened a service ticket, awaiting their reply...
 
ST1100Y said:
Won't do much good as their grommets have 6mm ID, vs the OEM lines having at least 12mm, so the HEL line would just loosely flop around...
Opened a service ticket, awaiting their reply...
Click to expand...
Being impatient and problem-solving mode, that's probably the point where I'd whip out the 3D printer and make some. Hope they do you right.
 
Alright, the GMS-Motorsport GmbH - HEL Performance Germany responded to my inquiry/service ticket about the missing grommets for the clutch line...

according to our database the old ones (sic grommets) can be used.
However, if you need new ones, we can send you some by post.
Click to expand...

Yeah, please do so...
The OEM lines have an OD of about 12mm, whilst the braided lines have only 9mm thus will wiggle and rattle around in there...

I also mentioned that older vehicles are already treated with quite some resentment during the annual tech inspection, so appearing with braided brake lines will receive 'special attention'; missing/wrong grommets are not helping...
 
That sucks, and we've heard how picky the inspectors can be for our "ancient" bikes...they'd like nothing better than to flag them for the most minute thing and get them all off the road.

Worst case, send some photos with dimensions and we can work up some 3D models. Problem with that is getting the prints to you. To send anything from the USA that doesnt fit in an envelope (less than 6mm thick and bendable) costs almost $20. But if you can find a local person to print in TPU we can send the STL files.
 
ST1100Y said:
The OEM lines have an OD of about 12mm, whilst the braided lines have only 9mm thus will wiggle and rattle around in there...
Click to expand...
I was wondering if you could put a few layers of shrink-wrap in the location of the grommet to increase the OD of the line.

Not sure if something big enough to clear the banjo would shrink down enough to grip the line, but could be worth a try if all else fails.

Or a few wraps with electrical tape would get the job done too, but wouldn't look very good to an inspector I suppose.
 
Larry Fine said:
Try rubber electrical tape. It's thicker and softer, and becomes one piece of rubber.
Click to expand...
I forgot about that stuff, and I have an old roll of it in a garage cabinet somewhere. Its got a thin red peel-off layer in between, right?
 
Why tinker around with a DYI bodge for a 'permanent temporary installation*'... :unsure:
If I'd like to go for such, I could simply zip-tie the line to the frame tube...
(* exactly the reason I always despised such aftermarket brake lines... :rolleyes:)

There designated rubber grommets for this, hence they should be included and used...

I paid over € 350,- for an "as original" kit... :cautious:

[edit]: they're shipping two grommets today... FOC of course ;)

jdmccright said:
That sucks, and we've heard how picky the inspectors can be for our "ancient" bikes...they'd like nothing better than to flag them for the most minute thing and get them all off the road.
Click to expand...
Yes, and like with armed forces barracks walkthrough: don't give them any reason...

And besides 'political climate' do we have to also deeply thank those who wildly "customize" their mounts; loud aftermarket pipes, cut/removed rear fenders, different wheels/tires, altered lights and t/signals, etc...
Who at the same time show up with worn/loose wheel/swingarm/head bearings, stuck caliper pistons, worn down pads, bald tires... after all are appearance and bling-bling way more important then road worthiness...
 
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Cut and use the old ones. Fill the gap with black silicone, let dry overnight and neatly trim excess once dried . If concerned about placement allow to dry installed. If you want the blocks to slide on the line wax the line so the silicone does not adhere to the line.
 
Tank out, rear brake lines done...

IMG_20260607_123045.jpg IMG_20260607_123222.jpg

Can't see much, can ya? ;)
Well, that's the intention, a stealthy mod a tech inspector (or overly zealous LEO) won't stumble over right at first glance... 😎

the fittings of +30 year old lines had their challenges... :unsure:
but: the trick with heat and a crayon actually works! 😁
(having proper brake line wrenches wasn't bad either... ;))

ready for pushback and taxiing...

IMG_20260607_153857.jpg
 
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