Brake hose and front mudguard question

[metroplex]

On my 696, there is a brake hose that is clipped into the rear of the front mudguard. Does anyone know if this clip is absolutely mandatory? I looked at how the front end moves while turning and braking and can't figure out why it has to be clipped to the guard.

I'm replacing this guard because it cracked from a low side (still not sure how it cracked though) and the OEM replacement guard probably doesn't have a riveted clamp. I can swap it over, but I have been riding my 696 with the hose not clipped and so far so good.

[scooterd145]

I think it is there just to prevent rubbing on the fender

[DarkStaR]

If the hose ends up getting caught between the fender and tire, you'll end up losing the front brakes.  

Although I don't remember exactly how it lead to it, but "I think" something similar happened to tigre? at the trace a few years back.

[metroplex]

The original fender on my 09 696 cracked when I low sided, I am not sure how it did this though since there are no scratch marks to indicate it hit the ground. Somehow it cracked and I think it was the crossover brake hose that somehow twisted the fender enough.

The replacement fender from Ducati uses a different clip for the hose, it seems to stress the hose a lot less than the one on the original fender. Maybe this was a known issue and they redesigned the clip.

[Raux]

the original clip on mine didnt clamp on the hose, just kinda shoved in there and came loose alot
the replacement i saw closed the clamp on the hose to hold it steady

for your accident, where did it crack?

[metroplex]

It cracked on the right side (the vertical piece) where that mudguard connects to the area that bolts to the fork. There are no scratch matches or impact marks, so I am not sure how it cracked.

[Raux]

are you certain your forks, wheel, axle or triples aren't tweaked in anyway?

[metroplex]

The wheel seems fine. I have axle sliders and they were unscathed. I checked the fork alignment with the MotionPro ForkTru tool and it seems to be ok. My handlebar and brake lever were bent, my turn signal lens was scratched, and my RH footpeg cracked in half.

[Raux]

It doesn't take much pressure to crack those things.  too much tq just bolting them on will crack the bolt holes.  I'd say you right side twisted compressed or moved just enough to break it