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Because SS lines aren't normally DoT rated, meaning they are meant to be used to race applications, but not on the streets.

Sevulturus wrote:Because SS lines aren't normally DoT rated, meaning they are meant to be used to race applications, but not on the streets.

WTF? I know LOTS of people with those things on their bikes.... all those bikes are illegal?? Are you sure he's right about that?

That's like somebody saying my shoes aren't DOT rated for the streets...

Like some cop is going to pull you over because he saw from 300 feet away the brand and type of brake lines you have. c'mon just spraypaint them black or something, what do you have to worry about?
Plus i bet 106% of all cops don't know anything about brakes lines anyway.

I can't seem to find any pictures, but I wrapped the SS lines on my Katana with black automotive wiring loom. Make 'em look like regular brake lines from 10' away. Just a thought.

I'm not even remotely worried about it, but it is something worth thinking about If I get pulled over and the cop wants a reason to write me a ticket he'll find something, and this is that something (he could always have found something else). Otherwise I'll be fine, no way to tell from 5' away whether they're SS lines or regular ones. And even if you get closer you need to know your stuff to tell if they're legal or not.

Sevulturus wrote:Because SS lines aren't normally DoT rated, meaning they are meant to be used to race applications, but not on the streets.

That's what I thought. But its still a mentally challenged law. I ran steel braided on my truck when I installed the lift kit. Those old rubber lines needs more ummph to stop the larger/heavier shoes that got installed too.

The steel braided lines I bought for my bike were I think Earl's brand, and they come coated/covered with a black vinyl/plastic stuff.

sooo, better quality steel braided lines are illegal, while flimsy rubber unsafe garbage lines aren't?

Shorts wrote:

Sevulturus wrote:Because SS lines aren't normally DoT rated, meaning they are meant to be used to race applications, but not on the streets.

The steel braided lines I bought for my bike were I think Earl's brand, and they come coated/covered with a black vinyl/plastic stuff.

This confuses me. I was told, by Triumph service people with good reps who don't BS, that the stock front brake lines on my Bonneville are steel braided with the black vinyl coating, and they certainly look and feel like they are.

To lay things to rest:

1) SS lines are not usually DOT rated or approved in Canada as it's rather expensive to have the testing done, and it must be done at the expense of the manufacturer for each type/model they are made available for.

2) Coating a SS line with rubber does not make it DOT approved

3) The reason SS lines are tough to get the approval for is the fact that they do not stretch when snagged or impacted. They will either break or tear loose of the fitting, where a rubber line would stretch and return

4) If your lines (or line packaging) does not say DOT approved or says, "not for highway use," you cannot legally run the bike with those brake lines on the road. They are race only.


All of that being said, Stainless steel lines will offer much better braking performance. This is likely part of the reason most manufacturers choose not to install SS lines on their bikes from factory.

Sevulturus wrote:
2) Coating a SS line with rubber does not make it DOT approved

No one said it did. My point was that, if seeing silver lines will be an issue, use/find/get/make black ones.