Topic: Replace Brake Hose Washers or reuse old?

[KC_Northstar]

When reassembling my bike I was going to reuse the old sealing washers for the brake lines, but got
to wondering if I should replace them with new.  I would be a little ticked off if It leaked brake
fluid on my brand new paint job.  When doing car brakes I have always reused the old ones and
never had a problem.  I am talking about part 13 in the diagram.

[fire113]

...I put a Stahlflex break line set on my K1 but I wasn't able to use my steering lock any longer  I routed the lines so bad that I can't use the key.
I re routed the break lines and reused the washers and I don't have a leak but the washers and the break lines where brand new, don't know how bad Your washers look like.


 

[flybox1]

i'm sure many have reused old ones. youll be fine. breaking well is overrated and why waste $.10 on a measly copper crush washer?  

[KC_Northstar]

i'm sure many have reused old ones. youll be fine. breaking well is overrated and why waste $.10 on a measly copper crush washer?  

What are you trying to say?  That I'm cheap?  I resemble that remark!   
Actually I'm just trying to prevent ANOTHER trip to the parts store which for me is a 25 mile round trip.

[flybox1]

   i hear you.  going out for a $1 part is a waste.  been there.   no plumbing or hardware store closer? 
torque them properly if you gotta run them 

[derelicte]

Autozone etc. only sell the correct size in a $5 multipack that only has two of the size you need.  If theres a harbor freight nearby, they sell a huge assortment in a nice compartmentalized box for like $6 or 7.

[70CB750]

Nothing wrong with reusing the old washer.  You can annealed it too before use.  Means you heat it up with a torch and drop it in water - makes the copper softer and more willing to seal.

[Deltarider]

Nothing wrong with reusing the old washer.  You can annealed it too before use.  Means you heat it up with a torch and drop it in water - makes the copper softer and more willing to seal.

That's how I do it. Heat it till it glows red and drop it in the water. You'll spend more on gas heating it than it's actual value but I see your point that riding 25 miles - no brakelines attached - will cost you more.

[flybox1]

I was curious about the annealing process for copper. I read you can put it on an electric range burner until it turns gray (red-hot not req'd for copper), and then drop it in water. 

[david 750f]

Heat it to a dull cherry red then toss it into water. It will be nice and soft

[70CB750]

I have a copper washer under the oil drain too - reuse it every time without a leak.

[bryanj]

Annealing copper is cherry red and quench BUT the original brake line washers are not copper so don't try that

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

New ones look cooler but if old ones don't leak.........