Yamaha TDM 850

If you're riding a modern classic motorcycle - basically, anything over 15 years old - there's a harsh reality to face: many of the original components will be well past their expected service life. Even if the bike is low mileage, parts like the battery, drive chain, brake hoses and clutch/throttle cables will almost certainly need replacing. And while you’re at it, why not upgrade the parts, for improved performance and longer lifespan?

The Safety Gap

Most modern classic motorcycles lack the safety features found in their modern equivalents, like ABS, (which was not compulsory for A category machines until 2017, when Euro 4 was introduced). Similar advances have been made with other controls, like fly-by-wire throttles and slipper clutches, delivering improved performance and control.

Older bikes might not have such sophisticated controls, but they certainly have plenty of power. Take the 2004 Yamaha Fazer 600, for example, which pumps out 90bhp. That’s 18bhp more than the 2021 Yamaha MT-07. A 1996 Suzuki Bandit 600 delivers a similar power output to the latest 800cc GSX-8T.

Power is nothing without control

The braking equation has multiple variables, and older systems often underperform across several fronts simultaneously:

Older rubber hoses expand under pressure, creating vague lever feel and inconsistent stopping power. Modern traffic demands immediate, predictable responses; not the mushy uncertainty of deteriorating rubber lines.

Worn control cables develop friction internally, as the inner cable corrodes and the liner degrades. This friction steals lever travel, requires more hand force, and creates a notchy feel that makes smooth acceleration and delicate clutch control nearly impossible.

Original specifications may have been acceptable decades ago, but today's environment requires sharper response and greater reliability. When a brand new, electronic driver-aided, ABS-equipped car suddenly brakes in front of you on the motorway, will your 15-year-old analogue braking system be able to match it?

The Solution: Precision Components for Modern Demands

Fitting modern components can help bridge the gap, upgrading your classic's braking performance without compromising its character. Remember the first time you rode a truly well-sorted modern bike? That immediate throttle response, the progressive brake feel, the effortless clutch action? Your classic was designed to deliver that same engagement, but decades later it's just been slowly losing its edge, one microscopic bit of deterioration at a time.

The good news? Restoring and even exceeding that original feel is remarkably straightforward. Modern materials and manufacturing techniques mean today's cables and hoses significantly outperform what was originally fitted. This isn't about compromising your classic's character, it's about revealing the responsive, engaging machine that's been hiding beneath layers of wear.

Venhill's Featherlight cables eliminate internal friction through PTFE ‘teflon’ liners and stainless steel inner wires, delivering immediate response and effortless lever action. The difference is immediate: lighter pull, crisper feel, and consistent performance.

For hydraulic systems, braided stainless steel brake hoses are transformational. Unlike rubber lines that can balloon under pressure, braided hoses maintain consistent pressure delivery. The result? Improved lever feel and shorter stopping distances; every millimetre of lever travel translates directly into braking force, not lost flex.

Consider going further with a hydraulic clutch conversion kit. Modern hydraulics offer self-adjusting operation, improved reliability, and significantly lighter lever action. They reduce hand fatigue on longer rides while improving reliability and eliminating cable adjustment hassles.

Making Every Component Count

You maintain your engine, preserve your finish, and protect your investment, but braking components deserve equal attention. Upgrading cables and hoses isn't about betraying your classic's heritage; it's about respecting your own safety. The roads have changed. Traffic has changed. Vehicle performance has changed. Your classic's braking system should change too.

Modern components like Venhill's cables and braided hoses aren't expensive modifications, but they deliver outsized improvements in safety, reliability, and rideability. When every component in the braking equation performs optimally, your classic transforms from a nostalgic liability into a genuinely capable, confidence-inspiring machine that's as enjoyable to ride as it is to look at.