GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

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NotSoLilCrippseys
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GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#1

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

There are many posts on swapping the rear brake line on the GL1000. I've spent about 30 minutes poking through to get a lead on the latest thinking about the rear brake line.

The bike: 79 GL1000.
The status: Rear caliper is rebuilt; rear MC is next. Time to start getting busy locating the way to connect them.

I'm planning to use SS lines for front and rear, and I'll need some custom-sized fronts to deal with an '83 GL1100 fork swap. (That's a separate matter involving possible use/abandonment of a splitter, double banjo or no, etc.)

Please share how you've handled that refresh.

As we know, the rear line has a hard line that transitions to rubber.
  • Some seem to go with a single SS line, apparently with some modifications to permit a basic banjo bolt mount at the MC.
  • Others, it seems, might be affixing a short SS line to the hard line - but I'm not sure.
  • And, I suppose, others have a SS line that has a banjo on the caliper end and the original style attachment on the MC end - or an adapter.
I can see Spiegler, Galfer, and others list rear lines for the 79 GL1000, but all photos look generic, which means they show a line that won't really work. Here's a typical example: https://www.motosport.com/galfer-rear-b ... -X001-Y215

I'm not sure quite what I'd get for my $ - a long line with correct fitting for MC, super short line with correct fitting to hard line, or something else entirely?

I'm thinking a single SS line that mounts to caliper and MC is probably best.

Custom is also an option, and Apex comes up pretty regularly as a source. I'll need to go a bit custom on the front brake lines.
Avatar is a summer '21 photo of the Blue Phoenix, our 1983 GL1100I rescue gone naked.

In the Stable and Ridable
1992 ST1100 - my longer haul tourer
1992 XJ600S - son's streetfighter
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 - GL1100I - naked Blue Phoenix (son's, really)
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe (carb issues still vex)

Active Project(s)
1979 GL1000 - Confirmed one owner, with original paperwork. Vetter fairing and bags, off the road in dry, heated storage for 35 years.

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
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Fred Camper
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#2

Post by Fred Camper »

Not done the rear line yet, but for your fork swap front, do dump the splitter. It is an air trap and bleeding is a gravity item once you dump the splitter and employ a double banjo bolt. Works well to have no joints in the front lines and since you are going custom, two lines costs less than three.
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#3

Post by pidjones »

I seem to remember an automotive part that was available for the flex line, but that was many years ago. Might show up on a replacement parts thread.

Ahah! Found it in one of my own posts. NAPA 38132.
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5speed
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#4

Post by 5speed »

Reach out to Raymond. He is awesome to deal with and can make pretty much any configuration of line you need.
I buy all my brake lines from him.
https://www.apexbrakes.com/
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#5

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

Pidjones: I saw that post and found the hose (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/UP_38132). It's not braided stainless.

But I can't argue with $20, Napa is just up the road from me, and the rear wheel isn't where I most need the stopping power.

5speed: Numerous NGWers seem to use Apex. I figured it'd be my first call once I decide what to do in the rear.
Avatar is a summer '21 photo of the Blue Phoenix, our 1983 GL1100I rescue gone naked.

In the Stable and Ridable
1992 ST1100 - my longer haul tourer
1992 XJ600S - son's streetfighter
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 - GL1100I - naked Blue Phoenix (son's, really)
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe (carb issues still vex)

Active Project(s)
1979 GL1000 - Confirmed one owner, with original paperwork. Vetter fairing and bags, off the road in dry, heated storage for 35 years.

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
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5speed
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#6

Post by 5speed »

NotSoLilCrippseys wrote: Mon Jan 02, 2023 1:17 pm Pidjones: I saw that post and found the hose (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/UP_38132). It's not braided stainless.

But I can't argue with $20, Napa is just up the road from me, and the rear wheel isn't where I most need the stopping power.

5speed: Numerous NGWers seem to use Apex. I figured it'd be my first call once I decide what to do in the rear.
He's great to deal with. He doesn't even laugh at you when you order the wrong length of brake line.. :oops:
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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tomk1960
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#7

Post by tomk1960 »

Galfer's rear brake line is configured correctly so that it can transition to the steel "pipe." I installed Galfer lines front and rear and they worked out perfectly. If you need help measuring for the front lines, PM me. I'm a dealer for Galfer and Spiegler.
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#8

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

Tomk1960 - thanks for that info on Galfer's rear and for the offer of an assist on length for the fronts.
Avatar is a summer '21 photo of the Blue Phoenix, our 1983 GL1100I rescue gone naked.

In the Stable and Ridable
1992 ST1100 - my longer haul tourer
1992 XJ600S - son's streetfighter
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 - GL1100I - naked Blue Phoenix (son's, really)
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe (carb issues still vex)

Active Project(s)
1979 GL1000 - Confirmed one owner, with original paperwork. Vetter fairing and bags, off the road in dry, heated storage for 35 years.

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
low-side
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#9

Post by low-side »

I used the Napa hose. I shortened the hard line because the Napa hose is a couple inches longer than stock.
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#10

Post by Shadowjack »

I used Goodrich steel hoses and converted the MC fitting from an inverted flare to female 10mm using an adapter, although conventional wisdom I learned later was to pull the flare insert out of the MC and just screw the banjo bolt into the hole. The only trouble with Goodrich is that the lengths are always a bit too long, if they're not too short.
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#11

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I converted my '79 to a stainless braided line from master cylinder to caliper some time in the early '90s and replaced the original master cylinder with one from an '81 1100 a couple of years later. That master and line were among the parts from the wrecked '79 that I moved to the '83 when I put Mr.H together in '97. After that many years I don't recall exactly what was required to attach the banjo bolt to the master cylinder but I'm sure it wasn't particularly difficult or I would remember doing it twice.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#12

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

I'm having a devil of a time separating the hard line from the rubber one. Heat, PB, repeat isn't getting me anything but a mess on the tiny 10mm nut. The other night, I was working the heat right at the junction. The rubber exploded with a pop and shot the unit across the shed. I found it under a bike, still smoking a bit. It was funny, but not really.

I like the idea of a banjo-to-banjo set up. A banjo bolt could easily work at the caliper. I don't quite understand how to pull the flare inert from the MC, which several theads discuss. I've looked at it a couple times. It would appear to involve some work that could ruin the MC if not done carefully. I don't have a boxful of spare masters, after all.
Sidecar Bob wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 1:45 pm I converted my '79 to a stainless braided line from master cylinder to caliper some time in the early '90s and replaced the original master cylinder with one from an '81 1100 a couple of years later.
I'll keep that '81-to-'79 swap in mind. I have a rebuild kit for the '79 on its way. I have a working '82 MC on a parts bike, and I think I remember those units use a banjo bolt. It might be a little tricky to get the reservoir sorted. The '79 reservoir is on the MC; the '81 has it running to the MC from a braided line that's maybe 8" long. Given the indents in the '79 tank, it could be a bit of a challenge to tuck it all in neatly. But it's clearly been done before!

More digging in Search surfaced a range of good info, with some variety of approaches:

Goboy's efforts on his '78: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72707&p=774176&hili ... ng#p774176

Based on his report, it would seem that braided end-to-end could pose clearance challenges if one doesn't use banjos.

In 2017, Easter posted about a similar effort, but with banjos on both ends. Easter referenced a "special" banjo bolt needed to get far enough into the MC to seal it. Not quite sure what that means.
Easter wrote: Tue May 30, 2017 8:43 pm The only thing to remember if you choose to use banjo connectors is the master cylinder has an insert in the outlet hole to mate with the brass flare fitting. This must be removed (I used an extractor for broken screws) to allow the special banjo bolt to seat in far enough to prevent leaks.
Not to bury the lede, but I also found D9canada's 2013 thread, complete with photos and a suggested link for a SS line running from the caliper to the MC on a '75. He also included a recommended measurement - 18" center of banjo to 90-degree bend on MC side banjo: viewtopic.php?p=577681#p577681

Robin1731 is also on the thread, with photos of his own approach. D9canada did NOT remove the little flare thing. Instead, a cut banjo bolt apparently seated far enough in to permit it to work.

I like D9canada's approach a lot.

Two concerns came up: hard line is a safety measure, as a flex line could meet the rear tire; thread count to seat the cut banjo to the MC might not yield a good seal.
Avatar is a summer '21 photo of the Blue Phoenix, our 1983 GL1100I rescue gone naked.

In the Stable and Ridable
1992 ST1100 - my longer haul tourer
1992 XJ600S - son's streetfighter
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 - GL1100I - naked Blue Phoenix (son's, really)
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe (carb issues still vex)

Active Project(s)
1979 GL1000 - Confirmed one owner, with original paperwork. Vetter fairing and bags, off the road in dry, heated storage for 35 years.

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
User avatar
Sidecar Bob
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Re: GL1000 - rear brake line replacement

#13

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I don't recall it being difficult to find a place for the remote reservoir but I should mention that the mounting hardware for the sidecar interfered with the right side cover so it wasn't the on the bike when I installed the 1100 master cylinder.
Also, '79 was a typo. My 1000 was a '77 but that shouldn't make any difference.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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