scated
Parking Attendant
Posts: 29
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posted September 06, 2009 08:15 PM
Bad Experience with Cycle World/Speigler
This is just an informational post no ax to grind and nothing to gain from tellin' y'all the truth.
I ordered a full set of the Speigler black on black lines for my '08 ZX-14. I ordered through the military sales at Cycle Gear. I had heard some of the stories but I was getting a pretty good discount so I rolled the dice. Cycle Gear's policy is to get everything not in stock shipped to them on the West Coast and then shipped to the buyer. Seems like a silly way to do business? It took the better part of two weeks to get the lines. I have Genmar Risers so I ordered +1" on the front brake and clutch lines.
When the lines finally showed up I went to a friends house to install the system. I followed the instructions word for word. After the stock system was disassembled and after much grief we realized that someone, Cycle Gear of Speigler, had messed up the front brake line length. Cycle Gear had it right on the order but who knows what actually got to Speigler. It was a bit frustrating to have to reinstall the stock front line, and rebleed the system knowing this would all happen again soon. I needed the bike for transportation so I really didn't have a choice.
We took pictures with the stock system alongside the provided Speigler lines. I sent this with a civil but perturbed explanation to Cycle Gear customer service. After sending the email to Cycle Gear I gave them a day to respond. The next day I had an email from the Director of Operations, Bill Flores I believe, stating that he didn't know where the mishap ocurred but that they'd take care of the problem. I heard nothing for a day so I called and left a message for him. The call was not returned. When I got home that day there was an email from Cycle Gear customer service providing an electronic return UPS tag. This seemed way too much like a standard operating procedure where they would wait for the return and then order the new part. I called and spoke to a very nice young lady that confirmed the standard operating procedure. The plan was once I returned the too short upper line they would order the correct line from Speigler, Speigler would ship to Cycle Gear on the West Coast, they would ship to me via UPS Ground. I explained, politely, that I needed to speak to someone up the food chain because that was an unacceptable solution. I spoke to Damon who said pretty much the same thing. I told him that if Cycle Gear wanted to keep a customer that they would have contacted Speigler the day they knew there was a problem, have Speigler correct the mistake and make the correct line, and Overnight it directly to me. This concept was foreign to Damon but he said he'd see what they could do. I got an email later that day from Aaron Echols who originally took the order to assure me they were going to do the right thing, as I had recommended, and have the line shipped from Speigler directly to me - 2nd Day Air.
I installed the replacement line today. The Speigler lines came highly recommended so I had high expectations. I am unimpressed with the fact that when Speigler makes the lines that they don't take the time to do so in a jig so the angle of the banjo bolts is correct. It appears they make the lines without that concern. The fix... the customer is provided a couple of plastic vice like pieces to hold the metal fittings, place them in a vice until the plastic discolors, and use a round piece of plastic placed through the banjo and twist until the angle is correct. It just didn't work. My lines are installed with a good amount of twist in the line. I had two other experienced mechanics working this piece with me and it just didn't work.
One question that came up along the way: why when you replace the front brake line do you need the block in the midde? It made the job a bit more difficult.
Lessons:
Cycle Gear Customer Service is weak at best from my experience. There was no I'm sorry that you have to redo all the work and buy new brake fluid, no gift card for my trouble , nothing.
Speigler - possible original QC issues on the original too short line. Unimpressive fix for angles on banjo bolts.
The lines are installed, they feel good, but right now I'm a bit jaded by the experience.
I hope this helps someone make a choice about which lines to go with if there interested in upgrading the brakes. Good luck.
  
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masszx14
Pro
A mind beside itself!
Posts: 1806
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posted September 06, 2009 08:43 PM
 Edited By: masszx14 on 7 Sep 2009 04:43
I've dealt with Spiegler on numerous occasions and they've
been great with my custom spec lines- lenght and type of fittings etc.
I rum a very short custom lenght rear line on the 14 and ordered it over the phone
from Spiegler directly. I was off in my measurements by 1" and they shortened
it for me free of charge- I paid $10 for shipping.
I just installed Spiegler brake and clutch line on my 750.
My gf's bike also has them.
They are hands down 100 higher quality lines than Galfer IMHO.
Here's my 14 with the very short rear brake line. The angles on the fittings
are exactly as I specified them:
____________
universal@mind
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted September 06, 2009 09:01 PM
Scated they are steel braided so they don't give like the rubber and the upper brake line are a bitch to install. Also they don't mount to the stock location where the front crossover is. I also have 3/4 inch risers and made do with stock length speiglers. Also did they provide the white piece of plastic that makes it so you can turn the banjo bolts if need be. Its a worthy upgrade and I'm sure you will be happy with them!!
____________
2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted September 07, 2009 06:27 AM
I think they are both good lines, depends on what your doing, and if you have a vice.
Speigler doesn't make superbike lines, and galfer doesn't make adjustable ones (although the superbike lines have adjustable ends)
I have had NO reason to complain about either.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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scated
Parking Attendant
Posts: 29
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posted September 07, 2009 10:43 AM
The only problem I have with the lines is that the plastic vice insert that is supposed to hold the line while you turn the banjo fitting to the proper angle just didn't work. Because of that the front brake lines are installed with some twist in them.
Can someone tell me why there's a block? why not ond line from the master cylinder down to the caliper? It seems like it would take some of the hassel out of mounting them.
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted September 07, 2009 01:42 PM
The plastic block goes around the bottom of the line which allows you to hold the line stationary while you use the white insert into the banjo to adjust and turn it to the desired location.
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2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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scated
Parking Attendant
Posts: 29
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posted September 07, 2009 01:45 PM
That's what it said in the instructions but it DID NOT work.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted September 07, 2009 09:42 PM
worked for me when I installed the custom spiegler line on my rear brake.
....
I couldn't find true dual lines for the front from spiegler, so I have used galfer on the front.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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