Continuing - So what did you do to your bike today...?

[gsxbarmy]

There is a noticeable difference with age. When I had my '97 Firestorm a few years back, it had braided brake lines but the original rubber clutch line. Whilst they worked fine, the clutch was rather heavy and even after I gave the clutch pushrod, slave cylinder a good clean and changed the fluid, it was still heavy-ish and a bit vague on the uptake.
Eventually I decided to change it to a braided line (if ever you have worked on a Firestorm, no easy decision as its a PITA to get the tank etc off) and that made a big difference, the clutch was much much lighter and more positive.

In checking the rubber line I took off, what I found was that it was flexing a little more than it should in places, so effectively when pulling the clutch in, I was pumping up the rubber clutch line before actually actuating the clutch.

So there is a difference, but only really noticeable when the rubber lines are a bit past their prime - and that point clearly varies depending on age, mileage, how the bike is used, parked etc so there is no specific point at which they may possibly start to fail. But rubber does perish, so eventually they will not work as they should.

[Hooli]

This is kinda what I did to my bike, I started looking around for an uprated replacement stator. Have we got a recommended one on here? Genuine suzuki are £350 so I don't intend to do that if I can help it.
I'll test the reg/rec once my bike is back before considering changing that.

[Andre]

Don't know about uprated but here are some options and advice Barmy posted:

http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=267.msg1994#msg1994

[Hooli]

Cheers. Shame I can't find the original that I know I kept when it failed, I could have sent that for rewinding to arrive back about the same time as my bike. I guess it never made the escape with me from living with my ex.

[grog]

i found this interesting. my thoughts, if braided are so good, why do cars/4wd use rubber. most high performance do. can you really feel your rubber line expanding? i cant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csV5gQo9wmc

[Mick_J]

Interesting find grog 

[gsxbarmy]

i found this interesting. my thoughts, if braided are so good, why do cars/4wd use rubber. most high performance do. can you really feel your rubber line expanding? i cant.

I think because they are cheaper and last the average lifespan of cars which I believe is circa 10 years - after that many car rubber brake lines have perished and need replacing around that time. And of course they are only the final part of a cars braking system being quite short between the main hollow metal lines that form over 99% of the cars braking system - so effectively the same as braided lines which won't expand.

So its an unfair comparison grog, you can't compare a car which has the majority of its braking system as hollow metal lines (same as braided) and only very short end rubber lines against a system which has 100% rubber lines.

So IMO, in response to your statement about why cars use rubber, they don't, 99% of car systems are hollow metal lines - which are the same as braided. 

[Hooli]

I'm pretty sure if you cut a 'rubber' brake hose for a bike apart it's braided inside anyway.

[grog]

Barmy, exactly , that 1% is the talking point.  most rubber lines last well into 20 yrs here,  a lot of the metal lines rust before rubber fails, i do live near the ocean. boats on ramp etc. youve seen cars dumping boats on hamilton im sure. if anyone can show me a blocked rubber gsx hose or a pic of one expanding, then ill believe.

[gsxbarmy]

I'm pretty sure if you cut a 'rubber' brake hose for a bike apart it's braided inside anyway.

It is in terms of re-inforcing, but not to the same level as a braided hose, which has more braiding.

Realistically with replacement, I agree that there is only noticeable benefit in changing hoses if and when they perish - the timescale for which will differ according to use, environment and other factors. And lets face it, most bikers do it just for looks.

[gsxbarmy]

if anyone can show me a blocked rubber gsx hose or a pic of one expanding, then ill believe.

Stroll on grog, that's a bit like asking for someone showing you the real Father Xmas 

[grog]

Barmy, not all trying to be smart arse, my car hoses are 20 next year. Still look feel a1. Biggest maintenance is fluid change. Saves so many hassles. I changed from toyota pads to bendix last time, was like adding two extra discs.

[Hooli]

Barmy, exactly , that 1% is the talking point.  most rubber lines last well into 20 yrs here,  a lot of the metal lines rust before rubber fails, i do live near the ocean. boats on ramp etc. youve seen cars dumping boats on hamilton im sure. if anyone can show me a blocked rubber gsx hose or a pic of one expanding, then ill believe.

I had a failed hose on my Bonnie, it'd broke down internally & restricted the return flow of brake fluid which make the brake stick on. I'd say the hose was about 12-15 years old at the time & had only done about 20k. No pic of it though sorry as it still looked normal.

So it can happen, I've also seen a rubber hose bulge due to the internal braiding failing but again no pic. Having said that I'm still running original brake hoses on my 14 with no concerns.

[Andre]

Braided hoses are less expensive than OEM rubber.

[Notty]

Dug over the garden ready for turf to go down tomorrow - had to get the 14 out of the garage so i could get the wheelbarrow full of soil past without any risk of knocking the bike