Ducati Monster Forum

So close and yet so far away...

- Brembo 320mm narrow-band rotors
- 4-pad calipers
- Ferodo CP211 pads
- New master cylinder
- New custom Spiegler lines...

The Spiegler lines are unique in that the fittings can be swiveled to any required position with the help of a plastic clamp.  One of the Spiegler banjo ends adjusted OK with their "lego" tool, but the other two will not budge.  The lines just spin regardless of how tight the tool is (large bench vice).  I need to get rid of the twist before I button things up and fill the system with brake fluid.

Has anyone experienced this and is there a workaround?  I'll call Spiegler Monday morning, but I'd like to get it figured out and on the road asap.

BK

(http://i33.tinypic.com/25506es.jpg)

How about turning the other end so the the one that won't budge is lined up?

The other end is a three-way junction block (behind the headllamp) similar to the OE configuration.  The junction block looks pretty wimpy, and although there is no warning about twisting it, I'm not inclined to try it.

I did try a few wraps of electical tape to build up the diameter of the line, but that also slippped.

I found one report similar to mine and this person ultimately used a round-jawed vice-grip with very carefully applied pressure in lieu of the supplied plastic "lego" clamp tool.  That also makes me a bit uneasy - hate to mess with something as important as a front brake line.

BK

Right, sorry I knew that.  [roll]  I have Spiegler lines on my Bandit, and I did not have this problem.  However, it sounds like you might get a new line outa this. 

Are you putting the "lego" pieces in a vice and then turning the fitting with the plastic rod?  When I did mine, I wrapped some tape around the the lego pieces and clamped them (gently) in a vice.

If I were you, and all else fails I would try the vice grip idea, just don't clamp too hard on the fitting.

EDIT:  sorry, I re-read your original post, you were using a vice.  Did you purchase the lines locally?  If so, perhaps you could get a new lego clamp.  By spinning the fitting, the nubs on the lego have lost their rigidity.

I just spoke with Matthias at Spiegler (ordered direct) and he says it's perfectly acceptable to directly grab the crimped portion of the line with some pliers to get the needed grip.  There is no concern about compromising the line as long as you don't go too crazy.  Also their "950" three-way junction can be similarly rotated at each connection if needed.  I'll give it a go tonight.  I'm really happy with the quality of the lines and how they turned out, but that lego tool is a bit fiddly if you happen to get snug ends.

BK

Good to know, thanks for following up on this.  It's stuff like this that can be found by search and save others some time.

Props.   [thumbsup]   [drink]