Risers & Re-Routing Cables

[jess]

Has anyone had to go through the process of re-routing the cables (the brake lines, in particular) on an R12R to accommodate risers or bar-backs?

I already have a modest set of bar-backs installed, but they're not quite cutting it. I have short arms, and I'd like to bring the bars up a bit in addition to back. Maybe more up than back. Currently, my front brake line is pretty much at the limit with the handlebars locked, and it looks like I'll either have to replace it or re-route it to go any higher.

Replacing the line means bleeding the system, and that looks to be more complicated than I'm really up for. My question is: can the various cables and brake lines be re-routed without disconnection, say by removing the top triple clamp?

[TAG-Caver]

Someone on the board mentioned loosening the lever perches and sliding them in a bit. This gave some relief to my front brake line. My risers are SW-Motech - up and back. Love 'em.

Kevin

[mribiker]

BMW put on a longer bar for me that lessened my reach about 1 1/2 inches. They took the front brake line and turned it upside down. It worked. Still wasn't far enough back, so I put on risers that move the bar back about 2". No problems with the brake lines or the electric lines as long as they're routed them right.

[jess]

BMW put on a longer bar for me that lessened my reach about 1 1/2 inches. They took the front brake line and turned it upside down. It worked. Still wasn't far enough back, so I put on risers that move the bar back about 2". No problems with the brake lines or the electric lines as long as they're routed them right.

Interesting. I'll have to take a closer look to see what else I can do. I've been experimenting with rotating the switch pod / throttle assembly slightly as well as moving the lever perches in, and that got me a little more clearance. Nowhere near the kind of numbers you're talking about, though.

[Caroanbill]

I have the MV verholen bar-backs and my dealer put them on (well, the salesman did it himself - he'd done a few).

He had no trouble: his tip was to cut ALL the ties and replace them after the job. I gather there's a lot of slack to be obtained just by taking out the "bunching" (can't say exactly as I've never seen my bike without the bar-backs). I'm pretty sure he didn't re-route any lines or cables - it all seems fine and I've had no issues in 3 years / 30,000km.

I tried to link a pic but this site now won't pick up picasa pics ...

[jess]

I have the MV verholen bar-backs and my dealer put them on (well, the salesman did it himself - he'd done a few).

He had no trouble: his tip was to cut ALL the ties and replace them after the job. I gather there's a lot of slack to be obtained just by taking out the "bunching" (can't say exactly as I've never seen my bike without the bar-backs). I'm pretty sure he didn't re-route any lines or cables - it all seems fine and I've had no issues in 3 years / 30,000km.

I've definitely removed all the zip ties, and at full lock the front brake line is taut. That's with the Moto Techniques risers, of course.

I wonder if there's been a slight change since yours was built? Looking at the Wunderlich catalog (which isn't necessarily a good example of stock, mind you) the front brake cable is routed slightly differently than mine. Not sure if theirs was modified or not.

[jess]

Replacing the line means bleeding the system, and that looks to be more complicated than I'm really up for. My question is: can the various cables and brake lines be re-routed without disconnection, say by removing the top triple clamp?

Finally got around to answering my own question on this today.

Yes, you can reroute the front brake cable to run behind the triple clamp without disconnecting the brake line. By disconnecting the headlight from the triple clamp and disconnecting the right-hand dampener (is that the right term on a telelever bike?) you can get the brake cable to the other side of the triple clamp.

That said, you don't want to. The line is very stiff and doing so will contort the line in ways that seem well out of line with, well... basic common sense.

So I put everything back together the way it was, and will have to try to find a longer brake line. I only need about an inch, but its going to mean bleeding the whole damn system, which is above my pay grade.

[deilenberger]

Jess - wait until you're taking it in for our annual brake line recall, then ask the tech (a 6 pack of German beer helps) if he could install it then. They have to bleed the system when they install the recall brake lines.

[jess]

Jess - wait until you're taking it in for our annual brake line recall, then ask the tech (a 6 pack of German beer helps) if he could install it then. They have to bleed the system when they install the recall brake lines.

Sadly, my bike avoided the latest recall by being built too late. So no free installation for me.