Copper tubing ?'s

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm not familiar with working with copper tubing and i wanted to use it as a fuel line on my Triumph bobber. How is it with fuel (im assuming fine)...and do you have to heat it to bend it without it kinking??

[TagMan]

My own personal preference would be never to use copper as a fuel line. Copper will work harden & crack as a result of vibration and I sure wouldn't want my crotch covered with gasoline and a couple of spark plugs firing away a few inches from the jewels. Gives a whole new meaning to "Great balls of fire" !!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

USE STEEL TUBING !!!

[a/fxcomet]

Dont the Brits have a slightly differnt copper tubing? I remember a debate on here a few years ago. One of the British HAMBers was using copper for brake lines, and the issue of cracking was brought up. Anyone else remember??

[jerry]

i can somewhat remeber about the brits using copper for brake lines thread. it's been awhile ago but if i can recall properly they do have a different grade of copper for the higher pressure lines.

i do know that there are different grades here for water lines and for refrigeration lines. i'd still use steel for both brakes and fuel though.


jerry

[Unkl Ian]

I'm wondering if the British Copper brakelines are actually Copper coated Steel.

[cornfieldrodder]

I've had a few old british cars, and yes they had copper fuel and sometimes break lines. They were changed out 'cause it scared the hell out of me.

[a/fxcomet]

Talked to a friend who is into MGs. He said the lines are 90% copper and 10% nickel. Volvo, and Rolls Royce, among others, use them.


Ha, check out what I just found: http://www.copper.org/applications/automotive/brake.html .

[Unkl Ian]

HAMB (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=255633&page=0& view=collapsed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1)

['Flyin' Dutchman']

I have copper brake lines on my Chevy... Works good... It's Dutch copper. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I wouldn't recommend copper as fuel line too... I'm just gonna use red transparent fuel line on my bike...
I AM gonna use copper lines for the oil tubing though... Or maybe I can get some of that nice steel aircraft tubing at work... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The new Horse Magazine has an article on doing hard lines... I haven't read it yet...

[**DONOTDELETE**]

is there such a thing as copper coated steel tubing?? mabye thats what the bike had that i saw http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

actually now that i think about it i believe it was a bike that someone posted on here a while back...it was that yellow bike with the moon tank and HUGE beer handle jockey shift. i could be wrong though

[LIMEY]

Its copper nickel & never had any problems, very soft & easy to work with.
Was an MOT tester for 12 yrs & never saw any copper brake lines that showed signs of fatigue/cracking, mostly pitted steel lines from corrosion.....even had some burst on the rolling road brake test, but that was before the Department of Transport moved the brake test to the end of the examination so the tester could determin through visual & hands on checks if the car was even safe to carry out a brake test.
As for fuel lines don't see many in copper!