Braided front lines - 2 or 3?

[macca]

Hi chaps,

Turns out I'm getting a bigger tax return than planned = spending more money on the bike


Doing some reading on braided front lines (about which I've known nothing until now) and there are the three-line models (with a 'Y' connector) - aka 'OEM style' or the two-line models which run straight to the master cylinder(?) - aka 'Race style'.

My question is, if I want to put these on my bike which should I get? I have a stock master cylinder - does this preclude me from installing the race style?

Is the race style any more complex when it comes to bleeding the brakes?

Does it require a different master cylinder?

Anything I need to be aware of? E.g. additional hose guides/hooks that would need to be installed on the bike, etc?

Race style seems safer since if one fails the other is still connected to the cylinder, am I right in thinking this?

Here's what I'm looking at:
Race style: 
www.helperformance.com.au/hel-brake-lines-for-honda-vtr1000-f-k5-firestorm-1996-2005-770.html

OEM style:
www.helperformance.com.au/hel-brake-lines-for-honda-vtr1000-f-k5-firestorm-1996-2005.html

Thanks for the tips!

[vtrstormer]

I have gone the two lines straight from the MC to each of the calipers. Very easy to bleed. I prefer this set up as it takes out another point of failure in the lines itself. But that's about it

[macca]

Awesome thanks mate. Race config it is!

[vtrstormer]

What brand are you going? I have wezmoto on mine off eBay. Very good quality lines and for the price it cost to get Hell lines you can get a braided rear as well. You can also choose your colour options. I will find the link

[vtrstormer]

Look at this on eBay:

pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=141188074471&globalID=EBAY-AU

Wezmoto Full Length Race Front Braided Brake Lines Honda VTR1000 Firestorm 96-05

[macca]

Thanks Stormer'. I ended up going with HEL despite the price hike since I couldn't find any solid reviews of the Wezmoto.

I got 'transparent blue' colour with blue stainless banjos. My bike is lapis metallic blue, so these will look awesome when fitted

[vtrstormer]

Nice one mate. They make a big difference and look great too

[dudley]

I dont think it makes much difference. I got HEL "over the mudguard" braided lines because I have a BMW master cylinder with 1mm thread (as opposed to most jap bikes' 1.25mm) so I had to use the BMW banjo bolt, ergo I could only have one line attached to the MC. I didnt want to go shopping around for euro threaded double banjo bolts. That line then goes to the right caliper which has the left caliper attached to that. Personally I think it looks neater too.


And by the way "Race style seems safer since if one fails the other is still connected to the cylinder, am I right in thinking this?"

No. Think of it as one "chamber" of brake fluid, if youve got a significant leak anywhere, youve got no front brake. Same goes for the "over the mudguard" method.

[macca]

Thanks Dudley, the lines arrived today so i just need to ensure i have all the right bits and pieces now to fit them ?

[dudley]

I used the stock brackets and it fitted great

[macca]

Yep looks like I've got everything I need now.

When you guys did the 2 line setup, how did you route the lines? Down via the existing path the OEM setup uses, or something different?

[vtrstormer]

Yep same as oem that way you know you're pretty right and the lines won't catch on anything.

[macca]

Ok so I've loosely fitted the front lines today. I am wondering if you guys used the original upper hose guides after fitting the new lines in race config? My left line doesn't seem long enough and I assume that I cannot use any of the upper guides. See pics.

Thoughts?




I love this bike.