Brake pipes

[Johnwebley]

about 4 or 5 years ago I fitted twin discs,during this I renewed the lower flexi brake pipesm,

fast forward to yesterday,,the MOT tester said I need to  renew both as the outer casing is cracked through to the inners,
bare in mind the original Honda pipe lasted about 35 years,do you think 5 years is satisfactory for a modern replacement

I prefer the covered look,not shiny mesh ,

 what do you think ?

[Trigger]

Are you saying that you have the mesh type with a clear cover John ? And if it is through to the inner, they would be leaking.

[mike the bike]

I disguised my braided hoses with black shrink wrap,  if that's any help.

[Johnwebley]

Are you saying that you have the mesh type with a clear cover John ? And if it is through to the inner, they would be leaking.

 ordinary ribbed rubber outer ,looks like standard,

[hairygit]

I've had similar problems with modern replacements, the rubber seems to harden and crack a lot faster/sooner than the originals. Probably some bonkers bit of E.U. legislation saying they can no longer use certain chemicals/additives any more in the manufacture (similar problem with glues without solvents that don't stick, and paint stripper, that no longer does!) I bought some braided stainless brake hoses that were available with PVC sheathing on top, choice of 20 colours from barbie pink (think nurse Julie ) to gloss black and semi matt black which looks like the originals from 4ft. No problem since fitting those!

[Nurse Julie]

Yep, love a bit of pink but not sure about brake hoses Hairy 

[matthewmosse]

Modern rubber often seems to last less well. We have ww2 surplus tyres on some of the old farm carts / trailers that have less sidewall cracking than tyres 10 years old. Both types will have been kicking around outside in the mud all their lives. 5 years is very disappointing from brake hoses. Most cars I've had or worked on have got 15 years out of the rubber hoses -  I'm struggling to think of a time we've had to replace them, plenty needed new steel lines over the years. Only sets I have replaced are on vehicles from 1978 or older - my bmw developed a bulge in one of the hoses after I really hauled very hard on the brakes as I thought the lines looked tired. Personally I just bung braided lines on, the full length from master to caliper on every bike I need to work on the brakes of. I can make the solid sections that is orignally there easily enough but like the longevity of braided steel lines with stainless fastners.

[Green1]

I have the cheaper DS repro hoses on mine for about 4 years now rain and shine still look new.

[Johnwebley]

I have the cheaper DS repro hoses on mine for about 4 years now rain and shine still look new.

   those were the ones I had !!!

 mine cracked at the top union end

[Seabeowner]

Am looking to buy a set for my 78 550K. 4-1 on ebay may be the choice. Their carriage charges on buying direct looked horrendous. But think the hose at least and maybe the whole assy comes from the far east. (and that would account for the short life)
For some reason they say that the 78 550 uses a shorter lower hose than the earlier 550s. Anyone know why?