V7 - Replace brake/fuel lines every 4 years??

[cowtownchemist]

Hey everyone, I have been reading the Routine Maintenance table in my 2014 MkI V7 owners manual and it tells me to replace both the Fuel lines and the Brake lines every 4 years.  This seems too frequent to me. 

My question to you is how often do you replace your fuel/brake lines?

[fotoguzzi]

Only once when changing the rubber lines to stainless steel on old barn finds. I would think changing the rubber lines on a new bike every 4 years excessive.

[twowheeladdict]

I am going to have to give you the "It depends" answer. 

There are many factors that go into the degradation of those lines.

• How much the bike is exposed to UV radiation
• What type of fuel is used in the bike
• How much sitting around does the bike do
• How often is the brake fluid getting changed
• What is the quality of materials used for fuel and brake lines

In my opinion those guidelines are partly to protect the manufacturer and to cover the worst case scenario. 

If you do replace them, do some research and get quality replacements.  Stainless steel brake lines also improve brake performance. 

[Kev m]

I won't unless I find degradation upon inspection - weakness, swelling, visible damage, signs of leakage etc.

10 years on my lines so far for the MKI - no worries here. But my bikes do live under near ideal conditions regarding UV protection, and extremes of temperatures in a semi-heated (insulated) attached garage in a generally moderate climate.

YMMV.

[Dirk_S]

6 years with the V7 II sitting outside all year, no signs of line failure yet. Front brake grabs solidly, but then again, I’m not the most acutely observant fellow. Will be adding steel lines when it comes time for replacement.

[huub]

to replace fuel lines on a regular basis has been prescribed for ages.
a good thing to do anyway , just because old hardened fuel lines are a pain to work with

i've had rubber brake lines fail on 30 year old guzzi's , so 4 years sounds like on the safe side :-)

[cowtownchemist]

Ok, well I bought it last year and it only had about 2500 miles on it so it did a fair amount of sitting around.  However, it was garaged and well taken care of.  I have not seen any signs of leaking, however, since the lines are now almost ten years old I think I will just go ahead and swap the brake lines to steel.  That will give me peace of mind and I shouldn't have to worry about it again.

What about the fuel line?

[Kev m]

MOTORCYCLE OEM's put a lot of things on the maintenance schedule that 99.99% of people DO NOT EVER DO.

They are there for strict liability reasons only - meaning if those items fail on a motorcycle the possibility for injury is much greater than on cars so they cover their asses.

I've been out of the auto industry for a while now, but I can't remember an automotive OEM ever recommending replacing fuel or brake lines prophylactically like we see on SOME motorcycle brands.

Personally I see no reason whatsoever to replace either UNTIL they show signs of age, which is why I said in my original post it's not something I do other than inspect.

I would feel different on an antique.

But 10 years is far from an antique.

[Guzzistajohn]

I'm still running 1980 brake lines on a bike, they show no signs of breakdown at all.

I couldn't tell you how many times I've changed the fuel lines since 1988.


upload pic

[mechanicsavant]

I’m pretty sure the OEM brake lines on a Mk II are stainles . They appear to have a vinyl coating , ya can feel the metal lining running your fingernail across them , or they are the thinnest rubber Ive ever seen or felt . I’d even bet a beer they have teflon tubing cores too

[Kev m]

I’m pretty sure the OEM brake lines on a Mk II are stainles . They appear to have a vinyl coating , ya can feel the metal lining running your fingernail across them , or they are the thinnest rubber Ive ever seen or felt . I’d even bet a beer they have teflon tubing cores too

Yup 

The MkI's do as well.

Yet another reason to not fix what isn't broken.

[Guzzistajohn]

Yup 

The MkI's do as well.

Yet another reason to not fix what isn't broken.

Words to live by. 

[cowtownchemist]

Yes, I looked closely last night at my front brake lines on my Mk 1 and they do appear to have a braided stainless interior with a translucent vinyl outer covering.  I will not replace them.  The rear line is a black nylon or rubber line.  But it feels like the material is still soft and pliable so I will also leave it well enough alone and simply do a fluid flush.

Thanks for the comments!