thoughts on \"old\" brake lines (should i replace)

Hi,

i'm working on a 1980 KZ 440 mast. cyl. which i will use on my 1978 KZ400. I'm using the KZ400 brakeline system (has a "switch" between an upper and lower brakeline)...

The lines look ok (sure, they are ~30 years old), but a part of me thinks i am better off trying to just replace them (rather than clean them and reuse)...

?

A lot of us here (probably 90+%) have simply cleaned out and reused the 20~30+ y/o brake lines if they're still sound looking.

I'll be going to steel-braided brake lines during my rebuild, because frankly I've been pressing my luck by running these old rock-hard brake lines as long as I have. :whistle:

Sometimes you can luck out and find NOS brake lines listed on eBay. Even though they're new and have never seen dirt/sun/water/etc from being mounted on a bike, remember, they're still 20~30+ y/o lines, and they'll likely have some form of age rot (cracking and stiffness) to them.

If you don't like the look of the steel-braided lines, there are companies/people out there who can make NEW lines for you. Just something to consider.

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2007/12/02 10:15

Orrrr

When I played paintball, one way we changed the look of braided air lines, and kept them from scratching $300+ custom ano jobs on $1000+ markers (guns) was to put shrink wrap on them.

I don't see any reason you couldn't put black (or any other color) shrink wrap on braided brake lines to keep the old school look...if thats your thing. Also you could color match your brake lines to the bikes color or accent color... just a thought.



::EDIT:: Here is a good example, not my marker just a pic i stole from my favorite paintball forum.
www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6799274

Post edited by: hardr0ck68, at: 2007/12/02 11:57

Post edited by: hardr0ck68, at: 2007/12/02 11:58

primemover wrote:

...The lines look ok (sure, they are ~30 years old), but a part of me thinks i am better off trying to just replace them (rather than clean them and reuse)...

?

Eventually, I will replace all my bikes' front lines to braided stainless steel. I've done it to one of my 750s and the difference is worth the cost!

Here's a snippet from my website, with my shopping list and thoughts from the 750's line:

For my '78 Kawasaki KZ750 Twin front brake line replacement, here's my shopping list from "Earl's Brake Line Components" from www.mgcycle.com/brakelines.html :
- 8 Copper crush washers, $0.75 each = $6
- 2 #600503 30 degree adjustable banjo fitting - 2 x $16.50 = $33
- 1 #600803 30 degree non-adjustable banjo fitting - $12.25
- 1 #600703 straight non-adjustable banjo fitting - $10.50
- 3ft #6000031 clear plastic covered braided stainless steel brake line - 3 x $7.75 per foot = 23.25
....Total = $85

Next time I want to try brake lines from www.helusa.com/ ...

I had stainless on my Kz100MkII for a few years. Personally I could tell absolutely zero difference. Went back stock original. All my bikes have 30 yr old lines on them, never had a problem.

hi all...

thanks....

i'll see how they look (upon REAL close inspection) and take it from there...

at least others have kept on using them, so, that is comforting...

- prime