[Lashlaro]

I MUST have new brake lines. 16 yrs is gambling against the House. I've pretty much decided on steel braided. Kits that are well made, good materials are available for $400.00+. That's more than I want to pay.
I checked with a local specialist, he will only quote me hourly rate. Estimates & 300-$400 maybe. He doesn't seem at all enthusiastic.
So, I learned from YouTube, Badassbikers, and VTXOA how to do a lot of repairs and maintenance that I used to pay maybe $1500/year for scheduled maintenance. Now, I do it all except tires.
So with all that, any suggestions, ideas about a NB making his own steel braided brake cables. Some you tube guys say it's easy. But they have 4 wheels and a cage. And a parking brake.
All I can do if my brakes fail is downshift and drag my feet.
Thanking you in advance for your responses.
Cheers

 

[craig0826]

I can't offer any insights, but as a fellow 2004 1800N rider - I'd enjoy seeing pics of your finished project!

 

[Chicago-Spike]

I wouldn't make lines on a bike. Especially on a bike that has a difficult to bleed Honda Linked Braking System set-up on it. I'd buy the kit, then install it myself, which I did. Have a weekend free and ask a friend to come over and help bleed the system as seen on this page here;

Bleeding the Brakes on the Honda VTX 1800 | Bareass Choppers Motorcycle Tech Pages

This is a walk-through for bleeding the brakes on the Honda VTX 1800. Most people don't realize how bad the fluid is until they replace it via a bleed.

tech.bareasschoppers.com

Be sure to follow the bleeding instructions TO THE LETTER or you will never get the brakes bled

 

[Lashlaro]

I wouldn't make lines on a bike. Especially on a bike that has a difficult to bleed Honda Linked Braking System set-up on it. I'd buy the kit, then install it myself, which I did. Have a weekend free and ask a friend to come over and help bleed the system as seen on this page here;

Bleeding the Brakes on the Honda VTX 1800 | Bareass Choppers Motorcycle Tech Pages

This is a walk-through for bleeding the brakes on the Honda VTX 1800. Most people don't realize how bad the fluid is until they replace it via a bleed.

tech.bareasschoppers.com

Be sure to follow the bleeding instructions TO THE LETTER or you will never get the brakes bled

I wouldn't make lines on a bike. Especially on a bike that has a difficult to bleed Honda Linked Braking System set-up on it. I'd buy the kit, then install it myself, which I did. Have a weekend free and ask a friend to come over and help bleed the system as seen on this page here;

Bleeding the Brakes on the Honda VTX 1800 | Bareass Choppers Motorcycle Tech Pages

This is a walk-through for bleeding the brakes on the Honda VTX 1800. Most people don't realize how bad the fluid is until they replace it via a bleed.

tech.bareasschoppers.com

Be sure to follow the bleeding instructions TO THE LETTER or you will never get the brakes bled

I wouldn't make lines on a bike. Especially on a bike that has a difficult to bleed Honda Linked Braking System set-up on it. I'd buy the kit, then install it myself, which I did. Have a weekend free and ask a friend to come over and help bleed the system as seen on this page here;

Bleeding the Brakes on the Honda VTX 1800 | Bareass Choppers Motorcycle Tech Pages

This is a walk-through for bleeding the brakes on the Honda VTX 1800. Most people don't realize how bad the fluid is until they replace it via a bleed.

tech.bareasschoppers.com

Be sure to follow the bleeding instructions TO THE LETTER or you will never get the brakes bled

Thank you for your advice. I've successfully changed pads, bled lines. Haven't had brake probs at all. I also discovered bleeder valves that can be opened for bleeding and also for installing new fluid.
As I go thru the manual, studying, I find various maintenance things that must be done.
I'm pretty much settled on the idea of skipping the middleman or retailer who assembles products. I've started looking up specs, quality and type of manufacturing processes. From what I've found on the web, guys riding around in forests, deserts, and various other terrains. In that kind of riding, things break. I fully realize riding off road motocross, etc is very different than off road riding.
As I've said before, this site and others have been the guiding voices, my guardian angels who keep in one piece.
All the Best,
Cheers