What's the best way to preserve stock brake lines and carbs?

[crc1214]

Well the subject line says it all, but what is the best way to preserve stock brake lines? I don't have any problems with the lines so far (no dry rotting, no excessive spongyness), and I don't want to go to steel braided until it is necessary.

I know some people like to put Armor-All on everything that's of plastic or rubber origin, but I know others that wouldn't give it away to the neighbor kid to use it on his bicycle.

I've also heard of putting Lemon Pledge on rubber parts, but will that work to preserve brake lines?

Also, as far as the carbs go..... I've heard some people run fuel preservative (Sta-bil, etc.) in their bikes all year round just to keep the carbs from plugging up. Is this ok to do? If not, what is a good way (besides driving every day) to keep the carbs free-flowing?

Thanks,

Chad

Columbus,OH 1978 GS550E

[Anonymous]

A bike cover to keep the light off your bike would probably be your best bet. Even so rubber does dry rot, I've seen it a lot with automobile brake lines and they are fairly hidden.

Steve

[Hotblack]

I've been treating stuff like brake hoses with Meguiar's vinyl and rubber protectant, it seems to last a long time unlike certain other products, such as Armor All. I can't say what it will do down the road, time will tell. Steve's sunlight statement is true too. Car brake lines are subject to a lot of nastiness that most bikes escape like trapped moisture, dirt, salt, etc. Still, nothing lasts forever. It's also good to change your brake fluid any time it starts to darken, your whole brake system, even the rubber lines, will do better with moisture kept to a minimum.

The carbs... just run the bike every week, or drain them if you know it's gonna be on ice for a long time. I guess you could run Sta bil year 'round, but that sounds like a pain to me. Then again if you really only ride once in a blue moon I guess it's not such a pain, or even likely to be that expensive. Those are the only two strategies I'm aware of, but there's no telling what these people around here know, I get surprised daily.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Silicone spray helps stop rubber from aging. It worked well on my brake lines. I also use it for all the rubber parts under our cars/trucks. CV boots, hoses, etc. Works great. I don't use it under the hood, close to sensors. I've heard some sensors are effected.

[Hotblack]

I'm just checking, but silicone spray would be bad to get inside the brake system wouldn't it? I know that's not what you're suggesting, I'm just checking my logic.

[Detman101]

Would that white lithium spray grease work good too?

Dm of mD

[Anonymous]

Best way to preserve brake lines is to throw the stock ones out and replace them with braided ones. They make a big difference in performance, and last much longer.

Nick

[crc1214]

Would a contact cleaner that contains silicone work? Or is there a a specific product that contains just 100% silicone in aerosol form that would be better to use?

Thanks,

Chad
Columbus,OH 1978 GS550E

[Mr. Jiggles]

Best way to preserve brake lines is to throw the stock ones out and replace them with braided ones. They make a big difference in performance, and last much longer.

Nick

I'll second that. In addition to performance there are huge safety issues to consider.

Jeff

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I'm just checking, but silicone spray would be bad to get inside the brake system wouldn't it? I know that's not what you're suggesting, I'm just checking my logic.

It would be bad to get anything at all inside the brake system.
I run DOT 5 Silicone in my brakes. I have used it for 24 years with both stock lines and braided SS. No problems at all. It does'nt attract water or get contaminated like Glycol. It's safe around painted parts.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Would a contact cleaner that contains silicone work? Or is there a a specific product that contains just 100% silicone in aerosol form that would be better to use?

Thanks,

Chad
Columbus,OH 1978 GS550E

I just use what's labeled "Silicone spray". I don't know what % it is. Just that it's silicone based.

[Hotblack]

I'm just checking, but silicone spray would be bad to get inside the brake system wouldn't it? I know that's not what you're suggesting, I'm just checking my logic.

It would be bad to get anything at all inside the brake system.
I run DOT 5 Silicone in my brakes. I have used it for 24 years with both stock lines and braided SS. No problems at all. It does'nt attract water or get contaminated like Glycol. It's safe around painted parts.

I reallize that, and that you can run DOT 5 in your brakes, I'm just wondering if perhaps silicone spray could be as bad to accidently get in your glycol based fluid as DOT 5 silicone fluid.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Glycol and silicone don't mix, so if you got silicone spray inside the brake system you would have to flush. Spraying it to protect the outside of the hoses is OK.