Author Topic: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!  (Read 9854 times)

Offline KCinSB

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HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« on: June 09, 2013, 11:29:25 AM »
Replaced the front tire on my '93 K1100RS, and I thought I was incredibly careful with the caliper lines, and hung the calipers with a bungee cord while off. I've had them off several times before with no problems........... until now. Got it all back together, and was slowly pumping the hand lever to reset the pistons/linings, and it seemed to take too long. Looked down at the calipers, and YIKES, I had Brake fluid running everywhere!   :yow  Exactly the mess you try like crazy to avoid  :dunno2:   It was so bad I had to wipe it down, and pump again to see where it was coming from. BOTH the caliper flex lines had given up at the top fitting into the Y fitting, and squirting a perfect stream onto the radiator, and splashing back on the wheel. Huge mess. The hoses never did look right to me, and now I know why,.......... they AREN'T right, Duh !!   :dunno   So, I dragged out the Clymer and the Factory manual, and started looking for good info, and that topic is very sketchy, at best.   :deal:  I did see a photo that shows the caliper lines are supposed to have Banjo fittings on both ends. Mine have some kind of straight fitting, threaded into the Y spliter at the fork brace.  These are obviously not correct, and stress the flex line at the bend. I looked on the Web for replacement parts, and so far I believe the correct lines are obsolete, or just not available. Can anyone help with what to us for replacement lines?  I am hoping this has been worked out before. maybe there are aftermarket parts now?  I guess the good thing is that the lines didn't blow when I needed them the most ! 
The first photos show the lines I have, and how stressed they are.  The following photos of the book, clearly shows Banjo ends are used from the factory.
  • Santa Barbara, CA
  • SOLD
No good turn goes unpunished, but it's fun to keep trying.........
1993 K1100RS, with LT Rack&Case, some old BSAs and Triumphs,... some even run!! Recent Dark Side foray... '65 XLCH tractor.

Offline dhanda

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2013, 12:28:13 PM »
Looks like you flexi pipes are upside down to the diagram.
Switch them round the right way , but I presume the damage has been done.

Offline mystic red

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2013, 12:31:09 PM »

Offline KCinSB

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2013, 12:59:35 PM »
I believe the correct configuration would have a banjo fitting on both ends.  I do want to replace them, as they are leaking now, and not usable.  I am looking for a parts source,........... any advice on parts?
  • Santa Barbara, CA
  • SOLD
No good turn goes unpunished, but it's fun to keep trying.........
1993 K1100RS, with LT Rack&Case, some old BSAs and Triumphs,... some even run!! Recent Dark Side foray... '65 XLCH tractor.

Offline mystic red

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2013, 01:11:03 PM »
Click on the blue linky above...kinda spendy but I would replace them all..

Gafer also makes lines for our bikes... Here's Ducks writeup.

Offline KCinSB

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2013, 03:00:20 PM »
Thanks !!
  • Santa Barbara, CA
  • SOLD
No good turn goes unpunished, but it's fun to keep trying.........
1993 K1100RS, with LT Rack&Case, some old BSAs and Triumphs,... some even run!! Recent Dark Side foray... '65 XLCH tractor.

Offline WayneDW

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2013, 03:09:19 PM »
not to hijack this thread but I have a related question.  I see on the Spiegler page that Mystic Red linked to that the lines for my K75RT ABS is $110 more than a K75RT with no ABS.  Which makes sense since there are four lines compared to just one. 

Question is: my ABS has never worked since I bought the bike and I have no serious plans to fix it.  If I buy only the non-ABS line do you think I could just bypass the Front ABS and save the money on the lines?
(I realize that this doesn't do anything for the rear).

Thanks.
W
  • Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • 1992 K75RT

Offline Scott_

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2013, 06:27:20 PM »
not to hijack this thread but I have a related question.  I see on the Spiegler page that Mystic Red linked to that the lines for my K75RT ABS is $110 more than a K75RT with no ABS.  Which makes sense since there are four lines compared to just one. 

Question is: my ABS has never worked since I bought the bike and I have no serious plans to fix it.  If I buy only the non-ABS line do you think I could just bypass the Front ABS and save the money on the lines?
(I realize that this doesn't do anything for the rear).

Thanks.
W

Yes, I know of no reason you can't bypass your ABS if your have no inclination to fix it. You could also then remove the excess lines, pumps, etc.... and get some extra weight off the bike.
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Offline WayneDW

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2013, 09:24:47 PM »


Yes, I know of no reason you can't bypass your ABS if your have no inclination to fix it. You could also then remove the excess lines, pumps, etc.... and get some extra weight off the bike.

Thanks, Scott, good to know my options.  BTW, I don't think I'll take off the pump.  I find it an excellent conversation starter:  "Your bike has ABS?  I didn't know motorcycles have ABS!".... etc. 
The extra storage where the brain sits would be nice though.
  • Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • 1992 K75RT

Offline Grim

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2013, 09:52:08 PM »
not to hijack this thread but I have a related question.  I see on the Spiegler page that Mystic Red linked to that the lines for my K75RT ABS is $110 more than a K75RT with no ABS.  Which makes sense since there are four lines compared to just one. 

Question is: my ABS has never worked since I bought the bike and I have no serious plans to fix it.  If I buy only the non-ABS line do you think I could just bypass the Front ABS and save the money on the lines?
(I realize that this doesn't do anything for the rear).

Thanks.
W

Doesn't the non ABS route through the head set?
I'm in the same boat. The harness and likely computer is fried as well as the brain and looking to dump it.
1995 Morea Green K1100LT

Offline KCinSB

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2013, 12:01:08 PM »
Back to my Topic...........  if anyone is interested, I can post a few AFTER photos of the SS lines I used from GALFER, Oxnard CA. The Tech post from Duck, ref'd in this thread was a big help. You do have to trim metal off the rear fender mount vertical attach point.  Not an issue, as it makes no sense why it's there in the 1st place IMO.  If you need lines, GALFER can supply kits, or make what you want.
  • Santa Barbara, CA
  • SOLD
No good turn goes unpunished, but it's fun to keep trying.........
1993 K1100RS, with LT Rack&Case, some old BSAs and Triumphs,... some even run!! Recent Dark Side foray... '65 XLCH tractor.

Offline TimTyler

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2013, 03:15:17 PM »
Here's a thread about removing the ABS http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=2681.0

I did it. Simplifies the brake system and reduces weight.

Brake lines do not last forever and they're not very expensive to replace. If you bring the old lines into a brake shop they can usually fab new ones quickly from hose and fittings they probably have in stock.

Offline mystic red

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Re: HELP!! K1100 Front Caliper Lines are Bogus!
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2013, 09:38:03 PM »
Do not reccomend ABS removal. It can be a pain but also can save your life......try a hard brake, in the rain, over a manhole cover for instance.

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