vinyl hose, brake fluid?

I am planning on bleeding my new brake lines, but my zx10 master cylinder and fluid cup don't have the connection hose, kawasaki wants 13$ for one and I would have to wait. I know brake fluid is pretty crazy stuff, would clear vinyl hose hold up to it? are there any hoses that would hold up to it?

maybe some fuel line?

Clear vinyl tubing is commonly used in brake bleeding. When I made my pressure bleeder that's what I used, and I have never had a problem with it. Besides, it's not like you are going to leave in there for any length of time.

well I do plan on keeping it there, its the little short piece of hose that goes from the fluid reservoir to the m/c, I can't justify paying 13$ for a simple piece of hose.

I know fuel lines etc are sold in bulk and may very well be a cheap short term fix. A local auto parts store has to have some flexible rubber brake line for a domestic vehicle that you could cut to suit and use some hose clamps to secure?

I made a gasket from an old inner tube for the top of my m/c a couple of years ago and it is holding up fine...so rubber hose may work. That being said, my bike is in need of a paint job because at some point in its life someone spilled brake fluid on the tank, so I didn't have much to lose if it didn't hold.

Fuel line is made to withstand hydrocarbon fuels. Brake fluid is very different (glycol based). Most of the fuel lines I've seen are rated very poorly for brake fluid, and vice versa. The exception would be PTFE (Teflon) tubing. That would work for both fuel and brake, i believe.

Vinyl pretty much works for nothing except water. I don't think urethane would be any better.

What you need is EPDM (ethylene–propylene diene monomer ) rubber hose. Normally it would be reinforced with PVA fabric, but I don't think you need it to handle any pressure.

The problem with using a random brake hose from some car would be the inside diameter. It's usually very small so it can be bled without a high-volume bleeder.

Look around for a shop that makes hoses for aircraft or trucks or industry. (We had a place called Aeroquip that would make hoses and fittings.) They may be willing to sell a piece of EPDM tubing.

13.....got a 5 dollar life........then use a five dollar hose........


what a gimp

you wanna send me 13 bucks? If I can find the same hose material for 2 bucks why pay 13 for something just because it comes in a kawasaki bag?

trianglelaguna wrote:

13.....got a 5 dollar life........then use a five dollar hose........


what a gimp

2 dollar skin...two dollar hose.....econo bike....tsk...tsk....

and yes p.m me your address...i will send you 13....and free metal plate for your head later....

How is using the same hose that is half the price because it's not from the stealership being cheap? I don't want some hose dissolving into my brakes and killing me, that's why I am asking what hoses are compatible with the brake fluid.

I wish this bike was "econo" I might not be so broke now!

The stealership near me wanted $8 for handle bar grip adhesive. I'd just bought $11 silicone type grips. The left one wouldn't stick with soapy water (and let dry 24 hrs) like the instructions said. I asked my local bicycle mechanic for a suggestion. He said "hair spray". Stuck like glue. Saved $8.