I just got my new front end together and I'm planning on upgrading to custom Galfer, Speigler, whatever lines and was curious if anyone has had any experiences with different brake line configs. So far, I've seen three different configurations:
- stock Monster. One line off of the master cylinder that splits into two behind the headlight assembly.
- SBK. One line from the master all the way down to the right caliper and a single line running over the fender via double banjo bolt
- race. A double banjo bolt at the master and two individual lines running to each caliper
I guess my question is whether or not there is a performance advantage of either system. The two full length line system is supposedly supposed to provide better feel with slightly more grab, but I would imagine the calipers/pads make a bigger overall difference. I like the look of the superbike line, but I wasn't sure if it would detriment braking with the fluid running through one caliper before the other. I just put 999 radials and goldline calipers on the bike, so I don't imagine it will have a hard time slowing down in any configuration, but if there's going to be a big difference it couldn't hurt to ask.
I'm not a big fan of the SBK style.
The double banjo on one caliper makes it very difficult to remove the caliper without scratching the wheel.
And they're a PITA whan both calipers are off, strung together like that.
Easier to remove and deal with the calipers with the classical Monster 'T' style line.
Performance wise, I doubt you would feel a difference between the various configurations.
To me the SBK style, or the 2 individual lines from the master down to the calipers style, well.... they look cluttered.
The symmetry and clean routing of the Monster 'T' style line please my eye.
Ahhh. I never would have thought about the calipers being a pain to maneuver with the SBK style. Yet another triumph of experience over knowledge :).
I think I'll probably go with the Monster style, just shortened so they're not ten different shades of tangled behind the headlight. I also hacked the bottom of my "U" bracket off to make a nice, tidy brake line organizer already. It would be a shame to waste such a thing.
Most folks don't take calipers off very often.
I do it all the time, so I'm biased to the maintenance impact.