kz1000 mkII oil cooler plumbing.

Mine are running over the top.

otakar wrote:

Yes you do have to bend them. A tubing bender is cheap. and you can get the lines at any appliance store or hardware store. I bought mine at McMaster-Carr along with all the required plumbing. The thing I did not like about reinforced rubber hoses was that they were so Hulking Fat and Gaudy.

Am intrigued with idea of the much smaller shaped aluminum tube oil cooler lines instead of the fat ugly rubber hose, and hope a picture may be forthcoming. Had considered stainless steel braid covering to "beautify" the black rubber hose, but decided against the steel braid, being fearful it would chafe against whatever it contacted (frame, wiring loom, painted parts, etc.) running from the front cooler along the upper frame to behind the carbs, and actually draw more attention to the hoses (which I preferred keeping less noticeable). Thinking the softer ugly rubber hose minimizes the abrasive contact with whatever it touches, and that the matte black rubber hose sort of disappears in the mix. Yes, it's still ugly, and imo so is the obnoxious looking hunky oil cooler.

Am concerned that the gas-flex, plastic covered version, seems about the same O.D. as the rubber hose. And while the gas-flex may last forever, the rubber hose is relatively inexpensive and lasts a very long time.

Just devil's advocate thoughts regarding the gas-flex, with no denigration intended.

Good Luck!

otakar wrote:

As soon as I pull out the bike from storage in the spring i will post some pictures.

That would be great. Thanks.

i was looking at my bike when apart thinking there has to some kind of braided that would be more
cosmetically appealing.....dying to see pics....

i had them go around the block. i had one on each side but went to both on the right side.

going around what do you think would be better insulation for braided lines. the stainless steel or the black nylon ones?

going around the cylinder i mean.

i would snake em more like this.....a lot is hidden but what shows would be a lot cleaner...just an idea...keith

another pic

last one

do you use rubber hoses to make connections from the rigid aluminum lines?what about vibrations?

well, that still leaves the question of wether to get black nylon braided lines or stainless steel. thats a nice temp guage you have on your dipstick, where'd you get it.