Venhill Stainless Brake line Banjo fittings too slim

[KCinSB]

What application uses the brake lines with the slim 8.46mm banjo fittings? My ‘93 K1100RS banjo fittings are 10mm wide, and expected all K bikes likely had the same. Now have received a second set of the slim Venhill rear brake lines, (I had tried to order from another MFR), and can’t seem to find the glitch. Do these slim banjo lines fit something else?
 (BTW, my bike is together and running, with an older set of 10mm Galfer lines)

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Can you describe exactly what the problem is?  Are you unable to tighten them down?  Do they leak or something? 

Is that the only problem with those lines?

Have you contacted the manufacturer to find out how to make them work? 

[KCinSB]

 The problem is the banjo bolt bottoms out in the hole before it tightens on the banjo. No seal with the crush washers. Yes,….. I could stack more crush washers in the assembly, but not doing that, and from past experience would expect not recommended on a brake system here.
  As far as contacting the MFR: That’s up to the vendors, as an end user, no contact path. I HAVE notified both suppliers, and am confused they have not seen this issue before. SO, I ask, are these simply intended for a different bike? Seems like that would be the most likely answer. Without endless searching on parts specifications, will probably not find out. By asking here, I thought the folks focused on K bikes may have already discovered the pitfall, as in other tech warnings.
  My post is a heads up to others to avoid the headache, needless returns and work delay. If this snag is covered in the Tech Pages, I missed it, please point that out. If I can find out what these parts will work on, I may try and advertise these nice new parts to a correct placement.

[Laitch]

What is the Venhill part number you ordered and received, KC?

[frankenduck]

  My post is a heads up to others to avoid the headache, needless returns and work delay.

I've always had good experiences buying SS brake lines from Motobins in the UK.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I have put Spiegler brake lines on four bricks and never had a problem, and I'm pretty sure their banjo fittings are not as thick as the original.  Never had a problem.  Spiegler lines came with new bolts and washers.

Are you using the original banjo bolts, or did you get replacements with the lines?  I would think that you should be able to get a shorter bolt from the vendor that is matched to the fittings.

[KCinSB]

What is the Venhill part number you ordered and received, KC?

The lines have no P/N on them, only the BMW P/N on the package label. That means the customer needs to ask before the order. Who would know that?
Bolt Length: The 1st set of Venhill lines came with 2 sets of shiny new bolts, one set had a different thread form. The new bolts bottomed out before tight. The bolts with different threads made me question what bike they were intended to be used on, and likely the lines also. Of course trying the old bolts was no good either.
  To be clear, thanks for the Spiegler tip, but I’m done buying lines, bike is together. Would like to recoup my lost cash if possible, and waiting for the vendor response after this long week-end next week. Just passing the info on to anyone interested.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

The reason for two sets of bolts is that those banjo fittings come in two flavors.  One has 1 thread pitch of 1mm, and the other is 1.25 or 1.5mm.  Depends on who made the caliper or the master cylinder.

Odd that they would bottom out so easily.  Do you have the original Brembo calipers and Magura master cylinders?

[KCinSB]

Bike is OEM.  They bottom out because the Venhill banjo fittings are not 10mm “deep”, between crush washers like the OEM.

[Laitch]

The lines have no P/N on them, only the BMW P/N on the package label. . . . Just passing the info on to anyone interested.

I'm interested in knowing the "BMW P/N" on the package label. 

[KCinSB]

As received: 34322311 325, 34322311 324

[frankenduck]

Those are the right BMW part numbers for a 93 RS rear brake lines. Too bad they forgot to match the thickness of the banjo bolts.

[KCinSB]

Those are the right BMW part numbers for a 93 RS rear brake lines. Too bad they forgot to match the thickness of the banjo bolts.

YES it is too bad. This post was intended to give a heads up to the group: Do not assume the Venhill parts meet the OEM design, and therefore should not be listed as the BMW part number. Anyone needing lines will need to ASK supplier for part source.
I’m done with this.

[stokester]

Good info, thanks.

I used the Spiegler SS brake line kit for my '93 K75S w/ABS and found it fit perfectly.
The only Venhill product I have used is a clutch cable which works fine but has a thicker sheath than the OEM.

[KCinSB]

Thought I was done,……..
Received a fast response from Venhill USA. Seems I was wrong about not being allowed to contact a MFR. Very quick to acknowledge the issue and mentioned they are aware, and offer thicker seal washers;
10.2 X 14 X 1.95 Copper Washer, photo from that reply.
  So, all learned over time, the suppliers need to make the effort informing a buyer to be aware. Simple listing note.
Hope this help. I may ask for the thicker washers, and try to sell my new parts to recoup some cash…….

[KCinSB]

In their latest response, Venhill has even offered to send me the thicker washers! This offered even though they are not responsible for the sale.
 Quite impressed with that! And YES, taking the offer.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Never refrain from hunting down the manufacturer and contacting them.  There is always somebody there to help you if you ask nicely. 

They usually know about your problem and have a fix for it.  If not, they are glad to get the feedback.  If neither, they aren't worth dealing with.

[frankenduck]

Never refrain from hunting down the manufacturer and contacting them.

This.

When I bought Galfer lines for my 94 K1100RS one of the rear brake lines had the wrong fitting on one end. I contacted Galfer support and they were very good and prompt about making me a brake line with the correct fitting.  For free of course.