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thoughts on \"old\" brake lines (should i replace)
- primemover
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02 Dec 2007 07:03 #183491
by primemover
thoughts on \"old\" brake lines (should i replace) was created by primemover
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)...
?
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)...
?
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- RetroRiceRocketRider
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- ...bring in the machine that goes PING!
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02 Dec 2007 07:12 #183493
by RetroRiceRocketRider
Replied by RetroRiceRocketRider on topic thoughts on "old" brake lines (should i replace)
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
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
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- hardr0ck68
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- Who put the what in the where?
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02 Dec 2007 08:52 #183504
by hardr0ck68
1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
Replied by hardr0ck68 on topic thoughts on "old" brake lines (should i replace)
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
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
1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
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- Biquetoast
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02 Dec 2007 11:18 #183517
by Biquetoast
(1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com
Replied by Biquetoast on topic thoughts on
primemover wrote:
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/ ...
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!...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)...
?
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/ ...
(1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com
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- RonKZ650
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02 Dec 2007 14:11 #183530
by RonKZ650
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
Replied by RonKZ650 on topic thoughts on
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.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- primemover
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02 Dec 2007 15:24 #183541
by primemover
Replied by primemover on topic thoughts on
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
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
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