Braided Brake Lines

[Tom L]

I want to get some braided brake lines and i know the two big companies are HEL and Goodridge. In classic pub chat i remember someone saying one of the companies is shit and pinch the lines when they shape them (or something like that) and the other company is based locally and generally do a good deal. Problem is i cant remember which one is which. Was wondering if anyone recommends/confirms one

[billinom8s]

goodridge is local - exeter airport infact, good quality

hel brake lines also good quality, know nothing about the pinching thing

[Tom L]

ah yeah Goodridge rings the bell, i also heard that its worth dropping by and actually visiting them as they might do you a better deal, cant remember who said this though

[Banditmax]

Hel are also local and better With Hel you only get fully stainless lines with any choice of covering. Theyre near exeter too and popping in is most probably best.

[Jay]

Hel are also in Exeter, an excellent after sales service too.

[TLS-Moose]

Goodridge are on the airport industrial estate. They used to be multi-part assemblies that you could strip/make up yourself, but like all manufacturers they are now swaged/crimped together

HEL are on the old A30 towards Tedburn, just before White Horse car breakers and are also swaged/crimped. They are really great guys, and if you go out there with cash in hand will no doubt cut you a good deal - they certainly did for me

[deej]

HE'LL usually get the better reports,just ask jay about the serice he received from them. Goodridge have restructured the way they sell their items and have closed down their ebay shop so they can concentrate on selling to the trade and racing industry

[jam]

I have trade accounts with both HEL and Goodridge, and the service from both has always been first rate. The products are all top notch. Ignore the pub conversation, whoever it is is talking testicles. HEL/Goodridge lines are indeed all swaged now, although you can still buy the goodridge build a line kits, but now the lines are made to length and you simply choose what banjos you fit.

[TLS-Moose]

The issue with the old style goodridge lines, in particular the ally ones, was for bikes which were used all year round and not adequately cleaned ..... Road salt could build up in the back of the "nut" that held the line into the banjo fitting, causing the aluminium to corrode and in a minority of cases fail. There was never any real issue with the stainless ones. This, and ease of manufacturing were the main reasons for the change.

As Jam says, both are pretty much the same quality now - you pay your money and take your choice (I have HEL on the front and Goodridge on the rear of mine )

Another one worth considering is Venhill as they do their own lines as well now, though they'll have to be mail-order

[jam]

I've had a couple of red/blue anodised lines fail over the years, where the corrosion builds up and actually splits the gland nut open. Venhill are a very good company to deal with, they will make lines to whatever spec you want and also manufacture braided cables to match your brakelines. They are based in Dorking Surrey so mail order only from this end unless you fancy a ride. I've used them for several years and always found them extremely helpful.

[Banditmax]

Aluminium fittings electrolytically corrode when fitted with stainless banjo's etc. goodridge generally charge about the same for mild steel fittings as hel do for stainless from previous experience.

[jason]

Always put goodridge on my bikes (stainless fittings).... More out of force of habit than anything else.

Hel are cheaper if the cost matters to you and in reality both makes are probably much of a muchness.

[ZXR400Lee]

For my ZXR400 I went to Spike just past Chiverton Cross roundabout nr. Truro.. he made them up whilst I waited! Braided lines and stainless fittings..

I did have braided lines and ally coloured fittings but MOT'er failed my bike on them..