Rear brake line
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
Myself, I'd leave the steel line to the switch and swap the rubber for braided. ps. I say this because the steel line has no expansion to help in brake performance. Brake pressure will expand a line. There was a big difference when I swapped the rubber caliper lines on the front of my old Camaro for braided lines.
Last edited by 92Fatty; Mar 23, 2016 at 09:31 AM. Reason: add mho.
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Myself, I'd leave the steel line to the switch and swap the rubber for braided. ps. I say this because the steel line has no expansion to help in brake performance. Brake pressure will expand a line. There was a big difference when I swapped the rubber caliper lines on the front of my old Camaro for braided lines.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
THC,
Check with these guys. Awesome products. I have a set but have not had time to install.
http://www.helperformance.us/
Check with these guys. Awesome products. I have a set but have not had time to install.
http://www.helperformance.us/
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
Edit: I see how the done it.
edit again. I guess mine was changed over with the addition of forward controls.
Last edited by 92Fatty; Mar 23, 2016 at 01:17 PM. Reason: googling!!!
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Is the brake light switch built into the master then? My switch is in front of the rear fender. See what I get for assuming?? I'll go browse the online harley parts manuals.
Edit: I see how the done it.
edit again. I guess mine was changed over with the addition of forward controls.
Edit: I see how the done it.
edit again. I guess mine was changed over with the addition of forward controls.
The steel line goes from the master cylinder to just past the switch then it turns into a rubber line to go out the swing arm to the caliper.
There are no joints in the brake line except where it connects at either end.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,861
Likes: 17,918
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
That is the first time I had the lines out of the package and I never got started on the upgrade for various reasons. I was surprised by all of this today.
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Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
My front had a 90° fitting on the bottom and a flat one on top.
The lines you have both look to have 45° fittings on one and and the other is straight which is right for the rear but not for the front.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Now, THC, your original question was that you have 22 year old brake lines without any problems, working fine and "should you change them just because?" The rest of the steel in your bike is 22 years old also. ZOMG, 22 year old steel!! DEATH TRAP FER SURE!!! Sorry, couldn't help myself. Anyway, if you don't have water in the system destroying it, the steel parts are certainly just fine. The rubber parts are probably also just fine, unless you want some bling-bling, then get a PTFE hose with stainless braid on it, y0. My brake line is 30 years old and guess what, it works fine. The brake lines on my truck are 30 years old. I drove it to work today. ZOMG, I'LL BE KILLED FER SURE!!! And yet, everything worked.
So, do you HAVE to swap all the parts out? No. Want some bling-bling, baby? Put some stainless braided lines on there.
So, do you HAVE to swap all the parts out? No. Want some bling-bling, baby? Put some stainless braided lines on there.