Integrated Rear Brake Line in the Swingarm

by Todd Glasier

vfr

This interesting article was written by Todd Glasier who has graciously allowed me to place it here and perhaps it will help other VFR owners with this great looking modification. Todd has routed the rear break line through the swingarm and then was able to remove that ugly, black chain guard.
First, Todd said that the bike had to be on centerstand (of course).
  1. I had to remove rear wheel and disconnect the lower shock linkage in order to lower the swingarm enough to get a drill in there for the front hole.
  2. I removed the rear caliper for ease of working and also to set it aside (upright) so that the brake fluid didn't all drain out. This may not be necessary. It also helped to remove the rear sprocket for more room.
  3. I used a 1/2 " drill for the holes. The aluminum is almost a 1/3" thick in the front part of the swingarm and almost 1/2" in back.
  4. The hardest part was fishing the brake line (before the fittings were fitted) through the second hole. The first was *easy*!
  5. The length of necessary brake line must be a little longer than stock to go the slightly longer distance. I think I measured 36" but had to buy a 38" which worked fine. Use good judgement in leaving little enough slack in the front so as to avoid the line getting entangled in the rear shockspring.
  6. Finish with grommets, bushings or with what's available to keep the line from being abraded in the hole and to keep junk out.

Some General Observations

For the grommets, I was suprised I couldn't find anything at all. So I made some and I am happy with them for now. I took a piece of automotive fuel line, used a couple 1" sections sliced down the length, and lots of WD-40 to get it in place. You can just see the black tubing where the line enters and exits the swingarm. As a result, I was able to loose the whole chain guard. The clear-coated steel line looks great. I had priced the proper length line at Russell, but they wanted $$ to make one a custom length. Instead I found that the local Harley shop stocked these Goodridge lines in 4" intervals and had many angled or straight fitting to choose from (chromed even!). I left just enough slack in the front to let it bend naturally with the suspension. Really it doesn't move or bend much at all, as the movement that close to the swingarm pivot is very small.

Regarding the drill holes, I learned that there is a 3rd flat horizontal wall halfway between the top and bottom of the swingarm, so I'm not worried about it's strength being affected.

Hope this can help someone.

Comments or questions to Todd


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