Metal braided brake lines on SV650 K3

BUDFORCE · 6 Jul 2020 at 07:30

Apparently it's a good upgrade to have anyway. But the bike is 17 years old now and I can feel the brakes are a bit spongey, the brake fluid no doubt needs changing also, I last did it, hmmm probably going on 6 years now.

But given the age of the brakes lines I thought I would replace and upgrade those for some Hel braided lines. I've ordered the kit that mirrors the standard bike setup, so should be just a case of unbolting the old ones, putting the new ones on in exactly the same place, and then probably a lot of faffing to get the air out of the system once the brake fuild is replaced, although at least this bike doesnt have ABS for this job.

I should be ok doing it, but any top tips?

BUDFORCE · 6 Jul 2020 at 08:33

Ok thanks yea.

The K2 has a separate reservoir I think the k3 it's just one piece.

BUDFORCE · 6 Jul 2020 at 15:53

Thing is the rubber brake lines are 17 years old anyway, so probably not the worst idea to replace anyway.

Ok thanks guys, I'll report back when done.

BUDFORCE · 16 Jul 2020 at 22:40

Well, that was a **** show.

Ordered them from sportsbikeshop, package turned up, right ropey battered box, plastic broken just looked old. Emailed them, they apologised and send me some more fittings and a £20 voucher code, but still bits missing as nothing to replace the 3 way sealed joint.

I emailed them back, they are just giving me a full refund now, they don't even want it back. It came with a free 250ml of brake fluid, so I guess I will just use that and change the fluid for free.

I said on the email I wouldn't use the voucher, but they didn't say anything about it in their reply, I'm tempted to wait a few months and see if it'll work.

Can't be arsed to change the lines at all now while thing has put me off.

BUDFORCE · 26 Jul 2020 at 20:41

Changed the brake fluid, was a bit better maybe but marginal.

Does lead me to believe there is some expansion in the brake lines, but it's a 17 year old SV650 so... The brake still work good enough to lock up the front so....

It's not doing bad for an older bike I guess, in v. good condition for its age, but heading towards 20 years of technological advances can't be overlooked. But not this year.