- Joined
- Jun 23, 2008
- Messages
- 14,734
- Reaction score
- 1,249
- Bike
- BMW (all models)
My front brake hose (left-hand side) developed a 'split' late last week; the front brake lever went spongy, and sure enough, there was brake food dribbling out of the pipe...
Just for background, my REAR brake hose is braided (stronger),
and my front brake hose from bike down to the RIGHT-hand caliper is rubber with silver 'spring' wrapped around it; I reckon not as strong as braided, but better than the plain old rubber hose on the LEFT!
So I went to a specialist Hose manaufacturer in Paarden Eiland (Neptune Street), and they repaired it while I waited - actaully, they invited me back to see the fabrication!
Whole process took under 10 minutes, it was really cool to see the hydraulic crimper in action, and the cost was R200, which I thought was fair.
The new hose is much slimmer (well, outside diameter) than the old hose, and is less 'obtrusive' generally.
I had a friend then come around to help me with th ebrake bleeding - it really does need two people - one to actuate the front brake lever, and one to operate the nipple (yuo know what I mean - the BLEED nipple!).
I used DOT 4, which is what the workshop manual recommended, and was suprised a the low cost of brake fuid - R15 rond!
So now will definitely bleed the back brake as/when it needs doing, since I have the plasic bleed-tube, as wel as the manual, etc.
I am not the most-handy guy around, but thoroughly enjoyed doing this job - straight forward!
Cheers
Just for background, my REAR brake hose is braided (stronger),
and my front brake hose from bike down to the RIGHT-hand caliper is rubber with silver 'spring' wrapped around it; I reckon not as strong as braided, but better than the plain old rubber hose on the LEFT!
So I went to a specialist Hose manaufacturer in Paarden Eiland (Neptune Street), and they repaired it while I waited - actaully, they invited me back to see the fabrication!
Whole process took under 10 minutes, it was really cool to see the hydraulic crimper in action, and the cost was R200, which I thought was fair.
The new hose is much slimmer (well, outside diameter) than the old hose, and is less 'obtrusive' generally.
I had a friend then come around to help me with th ebrake bleeding - it really does need two people - one to actuate the front brake lever, and one to operate the nipple (yuo know what I mean - the BLEED nipple!).
I used DOT 4, which is what the workshop manual recommended, and was suprised a the low cost of brake fuid - R15 rond!
So now will definitely bleed the back brake as/when it needs doing, since I have the plasic bleed-tube, as wel as the manual, etc.
I am not the most-handy guy around, but thoroughly enjoyed doing this job - straight forward!
Cheers
