Interesting theory, but it sounds pretty "anecdotal" or just a wild-a**
guess -- are there any real, documented failures of good quality SS lines to
back that up in any way?
I don't think most real braided SS lines are just a loosely fitting cover
over "soft" Teflon. If that were true wouldn't the stainless braid itself
abrade the line even more efficiently than any dirt? I thought the inner and
outer layers were always bonded together--at least in good quality SS lines.
At least one manufacturer (Paragon) uses a Kevlar inner liner between the
stainless and the Teflon. I can't imagine that mil-spec and/or aero-spec SS
lines would allow such a silly failure mode.
Some DOT approved lines are now available BTW. The Goodridge lines
advertised by Moss are supposedly DOT approved. (I not sure if they are US
Dot approved - the markings look like a "Euro-Dot" approval. If they're good
enough for the English MoT or (hopefully) the German TUV(?) I'll use 'em ...
and I do!
If anyone knows differently, please let me know!
I think most SS lines aren't DOT approved for the same reason many H4
Halogen conversions aren't approved. DOT is just too backwards to do it or
it's too much of a pain for the manufacturers...
Oh, and I agree with the nutballs that a simple visual inspection isn't
adequate... with any kind of older flex brake line... Replace 'em!
Chris Lillja
'66 TR4A
'74 Norton Commando 850
'71 Spit MKIV
http://members.aol.com/lilljaweb/index.html
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