I am replacing the mini apes with some t-bars.
My question is does the brake line need replacing or can i bend it to suit the new bars? Bit worried about cracking it [&:]

 

Replacing the brake linemay be a chore simply because bleeding the brakes can be a PITA. I tried and tried and tried with no success until I invested in a vacuum pump.

There are many posts here about folks who went from buckhorns to mini-apes or risers and had to slightly bend the brake line to extend the length. A couple of these have broken in the process.

You're takinga chance. I would have to spend the few extra bucks and do it right with a properly fitting brake line.

 

Bend it tillit breaks... Then you'll have go get the right one.... It'll look better too ...

 

[sm=funnypostabove.gif]

I am continually amazed by your wealth of technical knowledge and advice!

 

if you bend a brake line and it breaks you were doomed in the first place just don't kink it..

[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/259AF83C3834417D8DFEEA95C8464D88.jpg[/IMG]

 

Well, another thing I screwed up!! Forgot to break mine

DougJ

 

I have changed bars many times on several bikes. You can bend the line no problem. Try to use larger radius bends, no kinks, should not bend in the same place more than once or twice, that's when the steel will harden and crack. You would have to bend a line back and forth in the same place several times to crack it.

 

It would have looked better also Did you get any ride time yesterday ? You should have come down I fell off the roof [sm=lol.gif]

 

Not me, I was afraid to bend it for weeks after I changed my bars. I didn't want the hassle of replacing it so I finally just bit the bullet and carefully bent it over next to the bar.I figured what is the worst that can happen if it broke then I'd have to get a new one but it didn't so I don't.Go ahead it'll probably be fine and if it's not just ride it down to your local HD shop with your one remaining good brake and get it fixed.

 

Did you get blown off, or fall off all by your own doing??Hope you are okay, and didn't break anything that may have got bent....
Especially if the wife can use it[sm=outcold.gif]

Did about 190 miles, via a new shortcut through Franlkin, WV. Rt 33 from Franklin to Harrisonburg, VA is one windy, steep son of a gun.[sm=bounceybounce.gif][sm=bounceybounce.gif][sm=happy046.gif][sm=happy046.gif][sm=happy046.gif][sm=happy046.gif][sm=happybounce.gif] Glad I got home!!![sm=hail.gif]

Did you get the lights up??

DougJ