New braided brake line - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

djump · 03-28-2006, 06:02 AM

Hi All

Well after being very disappointed with the standard brake that Suzuki put on my new M50 I went to see my dealer about doing something about it. He bleed my brakes for nothing and that helped but there was still a large amount of spongyness to the feel. So I got him to order a custom black braided line to replace the original. All up with a full first service and getting the new line ($120 AUS) it cost me $250 AUS. I must say I real like the look of the new line and I’m really glad I went with black and stainless fittings.

Well in short, the brake is still not great but the feel is heaps better. At least I can pull my heavy girl up with greater confidence as I know what is happening. I’m thinking about going with sintered pads next but I’m pleased with the effect that this step has had, has anyone else used the sintered pads (or others) and if so what do they recommend?

Mr.Miyagi · 03-28-2006, 07:29 AM

Djump

Yeah the brakes are pretty average all round....the new hose and pads can only help, I just hope the extra grip isn't enough to warp the disc....it's very thin and would get hot pretty quickly in the right environment. I must say the rear brake works better than I expected but dual discs up front would have been better; I've had 3 times the braking power on a 165KG bike before (fitted standard) and I really miss it! Keep us posted.

jpwM50 · 03-28-2006, 07:32 AM

That's great, I was thinking of doing this but chrome lines stick out too much, so the black is perfect, it will go along with the sintered pads I bought which I have not put in yet. I think I will take it to the dealer and get the brakes bled and installed.

fourfourtwo · 03-28-2006, 06:08 PM

My last bike was a z1000, with dual front and rear disc. The brakes on this bike take some getting used to, but my rear wont lock up even when I stand on it hard. Its adjusted, but is this just me, or is something wrong?

hammersfan · 03-28-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourfourtwo

My last bike was a z1000, with dual front and rear disc. The brakes on this bike take some getting used to, but my rear wont lock up even when I stand on it hard. Its adjusted, but is this just me, or is something wrong?

I read a Cruiser rider magazine review of our bike and they said that when they stomped on the rear brake from speed it came to a leisurely stop !

fourfourtwo · 03-28-2006, 06:39 PM

yeah thats how mine is. I normally only use the front, unless Im on the highway and slowing for a car or something. It drives me nuts, because the z was totalled when a car pulled in front of me. There was a black mark for a long ways, and this bike barely slows when I get on the rear brake. Has anyone found a fix?

outlaw · 03-28-2006, 06:47 PM

you may just need an adjustment. mine left a 15ft mark the other day when a deisel pulled out in front of me. missed the &%*&^ by 5ft. i think i would prefer my back brakes not to lock up though. you know the whole anti lock theory. just my thoughts......

jkulysses · 03-28-2006, 06:51 PM

Mine locks up for sure. I had the same thing happen to me that outlaw had happen to him. Scared the **** out of me too.

fourfourtwo · 03-28-2006, 07:47 PM

Yeah that is scary. I can remember watching the car pull out and thinking d@$^ I dont want to hit that. It was too late though. Now I get skittish any time a car pulls up to the intersection while Im going through. I was thinking of adjusting the brake tighter, but going by the owners manual its in the range on the drum. How much freeplay is in the pedal on your bikes. Mine is about a half inch before i get tension, but its two or better before the brake grabs hard enough to slow down. Thats also measuring with my bionic calibrated foot.

jpwM50 · 03-28-2006, 07:53 PM

The back brake either locks up or its lame. Work on making your front brake better (pads/brake lines) since most of your stopping power comes from the front.

djump · 03-29-2006, 05:45 AM

My rear brake was quite lame but I've adjusted it so that I've got about 1/4 inch free play and then about 1" to 1.5" before imminent lock up. But you really need to try to get it to do that. I use it more for "balancing" at low speed but it’s a of mine habit to use both when I need it.

The best thing about the braided line up front is the feel, much more positive and if I pull hard it has a greater effect.

My friendly spare parts dealer showed me some after market 4 pot callipers made out of billeted steel (very cool) which are used on Harley’s. Apparently they use to come with crap brakes too. Maybe the disc will need to be changed as well to go with the callipers but this might be the way to go. I’ve come to the conclusion that without replacing the front end we’re stuck with only one disc.

djump · 03-29-2006, 05:53 AM

Hey Outlaw2 that sucks for sure and I glad you got around it, but yesterday I had a %*&()#$ car coming head-on the wrong way around a round-about! I tried out the new brake line right there and then I can tell you!

People do really random *&%^$ in cars!

Idaho · 03-29-2006, 08:36 AM

Hi, my first bike was an M50 which I still have but will be sold soon. I really liked this bike and wished I could keep it. Now I have a Marauder 1600. And speaking of brakes....a pity Suzuki did not double up the disks on the front of the M50. I never had any trouble with being able to lock up the rear on the M, although I'll admit I do not use the rear brake much. As for the stopping power on my 1600... triple disks, no comparison, it is amazing. Have fun.

djump · 03-30-2006, 06:58 AM

A 1600 Marauder hey, nice bike, just to big for me.

What's it weigh? The 260 kg of the M is about my limit as I have a wonky (metal) leg and manovering that around is hard enough!

Idaho · 03-30-2006, 07:46 AM

Hi djump, the 1600 only weighs 100 pounds more than the M50. You know what is best for you. I put 4100 miles on my M last summer and loved it. Have fun with yours, it is a great bike. I wanted to do some mods and wanted to spend that money on a bike I felt I would have for several years. That is why I moved up to the 1600. Well, one of the reasons.

Have fun.

outlaw · 05-27-2006, 09:36 PM

ok i know "i'm diggin up bones" here, but i was wondering if anyone knows where to get the steel braided brake lines in black.

JD HHI · 05-28-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outlaw

ok i know "i'm diggin up bones" here, but i was wondering if anyone knows where to get the steel braided brake lines in black.

Try here http://www.xtremerevolution.com/Stor...line-kits.aspx and if you get it let me know what you think about the improvement if any. thx

jpwM50 · 05-28-2006, 11:34 AM

See this thread;
http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...33&postcount=5

outlaw · 05-28-2006, 12:02 PM

you guys are tha bomb diggity. i looked for that thread last night. too much brew haha i guess.......

03-28-2006, 06:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
djump Kickstand Operator Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: VZ800K M50 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 280	New braided brake line Hi All Well after being very disappointed with the standard brake that Suzuki put on my new M50 I went to see my dealer about doing something about it. He bleed my brakes for nothing and that helped but there was still a large amount of spongyness to the feel. So I got him to order a custom black braided line to replace the original. All up with a full first service and getting the new line ($120 AUS) it cost me $250 AUS. I must say I real like the look of the new line and I’m really glad I went with black and stainless fittings. Well in short, the brake is still not great but the feel is heaps better. At least I can pull my heavy girl up with greater confidence as I know what is happening. I’m thinking about going with sintered pads next but I’m pleased with the effect that this step has had, has anyone else used the sintered pads (or others) and if so what do they recommend? Attached Thumbnails __________________ I CHOSE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED AND NOW WHERE THE HECK AM I?

03-28-2006, 07:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mr.Miyagi In Training Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2005 Suzuki M50 Black Location: Australia Posts: 119	Djump Yeah the brakes are pretty average all round....the new hose and pads can only help, I just hope the extra grip isn't enough to warp the disc....it's very thin and would get hot pretty quickly in the right environment. I must say the rear brake works better than I expected but dual discs up front would have been better; I've had 3 times the braking power on a 165KG bike before (fitted standard) and I really miss it! Keep us posted. __________________ *Mr.Miyagi*

03-28-2006, 07:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
jpwM50 Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: Blue M50 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 944	That's great, I was thinking of doing this but chrome lines stick out too much, so the black is perfect, it will go along with the sintered pads I bought which I have not put in yet. I think I will take it to the dealer and get the brakes bled and installed. __________________

03-28-2006, 06:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
fourfourtwo Where Am I ? Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: M50 Location: Manning, SC Posts: 45	My last bike was a z1000, with dual front and rear disc. The brakes on this bike take some getting used to, but my rear wont lock up even when I stand on it hard. Its adjusted, but is this just me, or is something wrong? __________________ 05 m50 blue, billet mirrors, 2 inch lowering kit, saddle bags, debadged and debaffled, custom air box mod

03-28-2006, 06:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
fourfourtwo Where Am I ? Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: M50 Location: Manning, SC Posts: 45	yeah thats how mine is. I normally only use the front, unless Im on the highway and slowing for a car or something. It drives me nuts, because the z was totalled when a car pulled in front of me. There was a black mark for a long ways, and this bike barely slows when I get on the rear brake. Has anyone found a fix? __________________ 05 m50 blue, billet mirrors, 2 inch lowering kit, saddle bags, debadged and debaffled, custom air box mod

03-28-2006, 06:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
outlaw Fifth gear streak Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Red '05 M50 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,375	you may just need an adjustment. mine left a 15ft mark the other day when a deisel pulled out in front of me. missed the &%*&^ by 5ft. i think i would prefer my back brakes not to lock up though. you know the whole anti lock theory. just my thoughts...... __________________

03-28-2006, 06:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
jkulysses Sprocket Pilot Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: Oregon Posts: 832	Mine locks up for sure. I had the same thing happen to me that outlaw had happen to him. Scared the **** out of me too.

03-28-2006, 07:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
fourfourtwo Where Am I ? Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: M50 Location: Manning, SC Posts: 45	Yeah that is scary. I can remember watching the car pull out and thinking d@$^ I dont want to hit that. It was too late though. Now I get skittish any time a car pulls up to the intersection while Im going through. I was thinking of adjusting the brake tighter, but going by the owners manual its in the range on the drum. How much freeplay is in the pedal on your bikes. Mine is about a half inch before i get tension, but its two or better before the brake grabs hard enough to slow down. Thats also measuring with my bionic calibrated foot. __________________ 05 m50 blue, billet mirrors, 2 inch lowering kit, saddle bags, debadged and debaffled, custom air box mod

03-28-2006, 07:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
jpwM50 Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: Blue M50 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 944	The back brake either locks up or its lame. Work on making your front brake better (pads/brake lines) since most of your stopping power comes from the front. __________________

03-29-2006, 05:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
djump Kickstand Operator Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: VZ800K M50 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 280	My rear brake was quite lame but I've adjusted it so that I've got about 1/4 inch free play and then about 1" to 1.5" before imminent lock up. But you really need to try to get it to do that. I use it more for "balancing" at low speed but it’s a of mine habit to use both when I need it. The best thing about the braided line up front is the feel, much more positive and if I pull hard it has a greater effect. My friendly spare parts dealer showed me some after market 4 pot callipers made out of billeted steel (very cool) which are used on Harley’s. Apparently they use to come with crap brakes too. Maybe the disc will need to be changed as well to go with the callipers but this might be the way to go. I’ve come to the conclusion that without replacing the front end we’re stuck with only one disc. __________________ I CHOSE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED AND NOW WHERE THE HECK AM I?

03-29-2006, 05:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
djump Kickstand Operator Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: VZ800K M50 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 280	Hey Outlaw2 that sucks for sure and I glad you got around it, but yesterday I had a %&()#$ car coming head-on the wrong way around a round-about! I tried out the new brake line right there and then I can tell you! People do really random &%^$ in cars! __________________ I CHOSE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED AND NOW WHERE THE HECK AM I?

03-29-2006, 08:36 AM	#13 (permalink)
Idaho Seat Tester Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: 2004 Blue Marauder 1600 Posts: 77	Hi, my first bike was an M50 which I still have but will be sold soon. I really liked this bike and wished I could keep it. Now I have a Marauder 1600. And speaking of brakes....a pity Suzuki did not double up the disks on the front of the M50. I never had any trouble with being able to lock up the rear on the M, although I'll admit I do not use the rear brake much. As for the stopping power on my 1600... triple disks, no comparison, it is amazing. Have fun. __________________ 2004 Blue Marauder 1600 www.CruiserCustomizing.com/Idaho

03-30-2006, 06:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
djump Kickstand Operator Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: VZ800K M50 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 280	A 1600 Marauder hey, nice bike, just to big for me. What's it weigh? The 260 kg of the M is about my limit as I have a wonky (metal) leg and manovering that around is hard enough! __________________ I CHOSE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED AND NOW WHERE THE HECK AM I?

03-30-2006, 07:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
Idaho Seat Tester Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: 2004 Blue Marauder 1600 Posts: 77	Hi djump, the 1600 only weighs 100 pounds more than the M50. You know what is best for you. I put 4100 miles on my M last summer and loved it. Have fun with yours, it is a great bike. I wanted to do some mods and wanted to spend that money on a bike I felt I would have for several years. That is why I moved up to the 1600. Well, one of the reasons. Have fun. __________________ 2004 Blue Marauder 1600 www.CruiserCustomizing.com/Idaho

05-27-2006, 09:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
outlaw Fifth gear streak Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Red '05 M50 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,375	ok i know "i'm diggin up bones" here, but i was wondering if anyone knows where to get the steel braided brake lines in black. __________________

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05-28-2006, 11:34 AM	#18 (permalink)
jpwM50 Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: Blue M50 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 944	See this thread; http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...33&postcount=5 __________________

05-28-2006, 12:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
outlaw Fifth gear streak Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Red '05 M50 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,375	you guys are tha bomb diggity. i looked for that thread last night. too much brew haha i guess....... __________________