Opinions ?? HEL Brake Lines
 

Right, the bike is coming up for two years in May (if I can actually get it out of the garage before then), so the brake fluid will need replacing.

At the same time I'm thinking I might ditch the rubber lines and put some braided ones in, see if I can't stiffen the feel of the brakes up a bit (Tom - I know you have these, do they make a difference to the feel?)

OK, HEL have two sets on offer:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HEL-Brake-Line...item19b8ae040b

and

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HEL-Brake-Line...item19b8ae0414



I'm looking for opinions on the two options, I can't choose between the Race setup (two lines, from the lever, one to each of the calipers) or the OEM setup , (one line that splits). The physics of it are the same either way as I can't alter the size of the piston, but is there any difference in feel...

Anyone tried both systems (maybe on a different bike even) ? is there any benefit of one over the other ??

Actually Darren, you can't get better than HEL lines, I have used them on all my bikes and recommended them to thousand of people and all have given positive feedback. Better than Goodridge for sure.

The main reason for using two separate lines directly from the master cylinder is to ensure equal pressure at each caliper - this is typically on road/sports bikes that have one hose to the first caliper, then a short bridging hose over the front mudguard to the second caliper (eg. Ducati 996).

Of course in reality the difference is going to be pretty miniscule, and lets face it, both discs are bolted to the same wheel, but there you go...

With the Tenere as you say, the single hose from the master cylinder joins a T piece on the lower fork crown, so the fluid is pretty much split equally anyway... I'd go for a similar set-up as it looks more tidy?

J x

Yep, I have them on mine. I run two lines up front, and would say that if you go that way, then either use a p-clip or cable tie on the nearside line to get it to route ok under the top yoke.
Firmness? Well a little firmer. To be honest, it was more the fact they wouldn't corrode like the OE lines/banjos that led me to having them done.
The rear looks overly long, yet is the same length as the OE (obviously).

aye used hel brake lines on my last three bikes there top quality and fast delivery you cant go wrong

Are they easy to install on the X? Was thinking of ordering these in orange but not sure if you will see the color much, or if it would look good

Not difficult at all.
 

well, that is as long as you are happy to blead out the brake lines, which isn't hard. The trick is to know how the brakes feel before you start.

I got the HEL lines in the end, and when they arrived the longer of the two (for the front) was a little too short, so I mailed HEL and they got back to me quickly. A new line was in the post the next day - can't say fairer than that!

On balance though, I'd say the Venhill lines are better as you can rotate the ends but you pay a bit more for them.

The banjos on the HEL lines should rotate as well GULG, may just need a little force to start them. Did my description of how to fit them help?

This has always puzzled me, because I'm pretty sure the highlighted bit is, in scientific terms, utter tosh. In terms of hydrostatics, the pressure is the same everywhere, and I don't think the fluid's moving fast enough or far enough for hydrodynamic effects to be significant.

But, AFAIK, it's a requirement for road racing. So someone, somewhere has decided that not only might it reduce the effectiveness of your brakes, but in fact it does so to such an extent that it's dangerous to have a three hose system. I'd be intrigued to know why. I suppose you've got slightly more leak points in a three hose system (ten as opposed to seven - everywhere you have a copper washer)

Mysterious.

Sort of.....

I'm still playing with the best route though.

Not so sure about twisting the banjo..... I have a vision of that time you need to brake really hard, and the end 'popping' off and bike & rider heading directly for that Horses backside......

Have I noticed a difference? A little, it does feel firmer, but the levers have been changed, and the brake fluid, and the calipers serviced, and new pads. So yes I stop, and it feels firmer but why ?? it could be any one of 5 reasons, or all of them.