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Motorcycle Braided Hoses, Hydraulic Brake Lines and Teflon Clutch Cables | Venhill FAQs
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Technical
What should I do if can't find my Motorbike / Quad / Car Model / Year?
How can I work out which is the best Magura Clutch Conversion to suit my bike?
Can you make special cables, clutch and brake hoses?
Can I request cables / hoses with different lengths than the ones available on the website?
What is the difference between Standard, Crossover and Race brake lines?
How tight do banjo bolts need to be?
Where should I use my copper washers?
Sales
How do I choose the colour for my Hose / Cable?
Are coloured cables, clutch and brake lines more expensive?
Is VAT applicable to Venhill products?
What if I want to return an item?
Where can I read your returns Policy?
Manufacturing
What is the difference between ‘Powerhose’ and ‘Powerhose Plus+’?
Why should I fit braided hoses?
Are your brake and clutch lines TUV approved?
Are your brake and clutch lines DOT approved?
Do you factory test every brake and clutch line that you make?
Do need to lubricate Venhill’s control cables?
How can I make sure I fit and set up my new cable/hose kit properly?
Technical Answers
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A: Please read our Bespoke Hoses and Cables section and click on the relevant category for either Cables or Brake and Clutch lines. We will make a custom hose/cable to your measurements or alternatively you can send us your original part to be replicated.
Q: What should I do if can't find my Motorbike / Quad / Car Model / Year?
We are constantly updating our database with new model patterns as and when we can obtain them. If you have a new Off Road / Road / Sports Motorbike that is not listed and would like to fit Venhill cables or brake hoses, please email the Motorcycle Technical department stating your bikes’ Manufacturer, CC, Model and Year for further information on the Bespoke Service.
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Q: How can I work out which is the best Magura Clutch Conversion to suit my bike?A: Magura supply a range of different hose lengths and piston slave sizes on the clutch conversion to suit many off-road bikes. Measuring is required on your part to work out which parts will suit best. Please refer to this document in our resources section to determine which measurements need to be taken. Once you have this information, please email our sales department with each measurement specified; we will then work out the best components to fit and give you a quote. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are unsure about how to measure up. Please remember that we do not supply a fitting service for the Clutch Conversion, so we recommend contacting a qualified motorcycle mechanic for correct fitting.
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Q: Can you make special cables, clutch and brake hoses?A: Yes we can make up lines to your requirements. Please see our Bespoke Hoses & Cables section of our website.
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Q: Can I request cables / hoses with different lengths than the ones available on the website?A: Yes. Please see below:
- Firstly, check to see if your original cable / hose is listed on our website.
If your cable or hose is listed on our website:
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Take a note of the part number for the item you would like to order (e.g. T01-3-114). You can find the part number located at the beginning of the description of the product.
- Make a note of how much longer you need the new cable to be compared to the original cable on your motorbike. If you are unsure how much longer the cable needs to be, then we recommend contacting a qualified motorcycle mechanic for assistance.
- Email or call our Sales Department quoting the part number you would like to order and how much longer you want the overall cable to be. Please make sure you are clear with your measurement as we will make the cable to the length you specify. The price for this new cable will be the retail price stated on website + £5.
If your cable is not listed:
- You will need to send us your cable so we can copy the pattern. Please follow the procedure on our Bespoke Cables section of our website stating on the contact form how much longer / shorter you need the new cable to be. If you are unsure what the new length of the cable needs to be, then we recommend contacting a qualified motorcycle mechanic for assistance.
If your hose is too long or short we recommend replacing your hose with either our ‘Powerhose’ or ‘Powerhose Plus+’ brake lines. We do not recommend modifying your original hoses in any way.
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Q: What is a Master Cylinder?A: A master cylinder converts mechanical pressure (from either a brake or clutch pedal, or lever) into hydraulic pressure. On a motorcycle it can be found attached to the brake/clutch lever or rear brake pedal, and is usually accompanied by a brake fluid reservoir.
Put simply, when you apply pressure to the lever/pedal the master cylinder pushes hydraulic fluid to the slave cylinders (calipers or clutch actuation device) which in turn applies pressure to the brakes/clutch arm.
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Q: What is the difference between Standard, Crossover and Race brake lines?
- 'Race' layouts are required by the ACU for twin caliper front brakes. Their regulations state that brake hoses should not be routed over the wheel, and specify that the lines must be joined above the top yoke. Our kits with 'Race' in the description have two lines from a double banjo at the master cylinder, with each line running to each caliper.
- ‘Standard’ (AKA Three Line) layouts are standard on many European bikes. One line from the master cylinder to a 'T' piece, and then a line to each caliper. Generally, we offer what was standard on the bike and the alternative of a 'Race' option.
- ‘Crossover’ layouts have line from master cylinder to caliper and a second line running from this caliper crossing over to the other caliper. Many Japanese bikes have this layout as standard.
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Q: How tight do banjo bolts need to be?A: The recommended torque settings for banjo bolts are as follows:
Min 14ft/lbs Max 18 ft/lbs
(Min 2 Kilogram-Meter Max 2.5 Kilogram Meter)
(Min 19 Meter-Newtons Max 25 Meter-Newtons)
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Q: Where should I use my Copper Washers?
A: Copper washers should be used on each side of banjos before tightening the banjo bolts. There is no need to use copper washers with adaptors unless the hole is not sufficient to house the entire thread of the bolt. If you are in any doubt as to how to correctly fit your brake lines, we recommend contacting a motorcycle mechanic for advice.
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Sales Answers
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Q: What are your opening hours?A: We’re open from 08.30 to 17.00 Monday to Friday. We are closed Weekends and Bank Holidays
All web orders placed online Saturday and Sunday are processed on the following Monday.
Our workshop (for custom cables) is closed from 13.00 to 14.00 daily.
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Q: How do I choose the colour for my Hose / Cable?A: Once you have added the product to your basket you can click the 'choose colours' link below the Product Name. Please select one of the option buttons to choose the colour of your hose, and then click the 'Add Colour' button. You will notice the same product will appear again in your basket with the colour attribute; however the price will be £0 so you won't be charged twice. Back to Top
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Q: Are coloured cables, clutch and brake lines more expensive?A: No. There is no additional charge for specific hose colours.
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Q: Is VAT applicable to Venhill products?A: Please see the table below to see whether or not you / your business will be charged VAT at current UK rate:
VAT (Value Added Tax) Billing Address within EU but not VAT registered Billing Address within EU & VAT Registered Billing Address outside EU Retail & Website Customers VAT added to order N/A VAT not added to order* Other Trade Customers VAT added to order VAT added to order VAT not added to order* Motorcycle Trade Customers VAT added to order VAT not added to order VAT not added to order* Official Trade 'Venhill Re-seller' N/A VAT not added to order VAT not added to order* * VAT is not added to shipments outside of the EU; customers must settle any local taxes and duties due, as it is not the responsibility of Venhill Engineering Ltd.
If you are in the Motorcycle trade and will be ordering products regularly from us then we recommend becoming an official ‘Venhill Re-seller’ to speed up the ordering process. Please fill out the Application form HERE and email it to our Accounts Department for more information.
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Q: What are your Shipping costs?A: Shipping charges are based on the carriers cost and a nominal amount to cover packing. For smaller orders in the UK we use first class post. For larger deliveries and shipments overseas the website will automatically select the best value carrier for you based on the total weight of your order.
To see the total shipping charge for your order, place all items in your basket and then enter your shipping address at the checkout stage. You will then see the final 'Verify Order' page which will show total to pay with the shipping charges underneath.You won't be able to see the shipping charge until you have entered your shipping address as our system uses this data to find the best deal for you based on the weight of your order.
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Q: What if I want to return an item?A: Please read our returns policy, before sending anything back to us. We always advise our customers to use some form of delivery that requires a signature on delivery. The majority of items are returned to us using Royal Mail Special or Recorded Delivery.
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Q: Where can I read your Returns Policy?A: You can read our Returns Policy HERE.
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Manufacturing
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Q: What is the difference between ‘Powerhose’ and ‘Powerhose Plus+’?- Powerhose is a DIY hose construction. We will supply braided hose cut to length and banjos with nut and olive to fit the ends of the hose. We recommend using our Mandrel (VT62) tool to open up the braiding when fitting the banjos to the hose, and to tighten up the socket nut. Without this using this tool your brake hose is more likely to leak.
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Powerhose Plus+ is Venhill’s factory tested brake line system designed to cut out the hassle and uncertainty associated with old style hoses. Powerhose Plus+ brake lines are factory finished and are the same at both ends with 1/8
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BSP swivel socket nuts which simply tighten on the chosen fittings for your machine. For more information please see our page on Buying Powerhose Plus Brake & Clutch Lines.
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Q: Why should I fit braided hoses?A: Rubber brake lines – often OE fitment on motorcycles and cars – perish, harden and crack over time. This can allow the absorption of water into the brake fluid, reducing the efficiency of the braking system and putting other components at risk of corrosion.
As rubber brake lines age, they are also prone to expansion under pressure, reducing braking efficiency.
Braided steel brake lines eliminate expansion and water absorption, and will last the lifetime of the bike.
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Q: What is TUV approval?A: TÜV Product Service is an independent test body, which provides testing, certification, qualification, training and consultancy services to a range of industries. It has some of the best test facilities in Europe, and is recognised for independently testing and certifying a huge range of products, to make sure they meet the strict safety and quality standards required for sale and use worldwide. Visit them at www.tuvps.co.uk
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Q: Are your brake and clutch hydraulic lines TUV approved?A: Yes. Venhill Powerhose Plus lines have been formally tested and approved by TUV Rheinland. The test is in accordance with VSS106 standards. All Powerhose Plus lines are made to this standard. Venhill also has ISO 9001:2000 certification.
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Q: Are your brake and clutch hydraulic lines DOT approved?A: Yes. In addition to the TUV approval, our hose specifications have been sent to the United States Department of Transport and received authorization to claim that Venhill hoses meet the requirements as set forth by the DOT in accordance with the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 106, "Brake Hoses".
The DOT does not certify products. Compliance with the requirements is ‘self-policed’ by the manufacturer. Manufacturers submit product specifications to the DOT and receive permission to claim that the product meets DOT requirements. Whether or not the actual product you receive meets those requirements is up to the manufacturer. Every Venhill hose is built to the same specifications that were sent to the DOT, thus every hose meets (or exceeds) DOT standards.
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Q: Do you factory test every brake and clutch line that you make?A: Yes, every hose we make is pressure tested to 1500psi and every 30 days we also test lines at random to 10,000psi. Most motorcycle and car brakes systems operate at around 25-30psi, even under hard braking.
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Q: Do need to lubricate Venhill’s control cables?A: No. All our clutch, brake and control cables are Teflon lined, and do not need any form of lubrication.
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Q: What is Bird-caging?A: This is a special process applied to the end of an inner cable wire that allows solder to penetrate the weave of the cable. This makes the bond with the nipple much stronger. We sell a special ‘Bird Caging’ tool (VT13) that makes light work of this process for DIY cable makers. Please see the video next to this product for a demonstration.
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Q: How can I make sure I fit and set up my new cable/hose kit properly?A: Our Documentation section contains full instructions on cable and hose construction, installation and maintenance. If you are unsure about any part of your kit, or set up, please contact us or a qualified motorcycle mechanic.
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