Front rotor/hub removal - why did Porsche use a hard brake line?
 

I need to inspect and likely replace the front wheel bearings on my 1979.

Every guide, article, and forum post mentions you need to remove the brake line to remove the brake caliper, otherwise you risk damaging the short hard line as you move it around.

That makes sense, but it makes me question why did Porsche use a short hard line at the caliper? My assumption is because a flexible line with the proper fitting to attach to the caliper would be a specialty part. It doesn't exist. Hard brake line is affordable and relatively service free.

Is that the answer?

My plan will be to undo the hard line at the flexible line junction, then re-attach it and support the assembly to not strain the line. I work slow so I rather not leave the lines disconnected overnight or multiple days. Any better tip that I'm not thinking of?

In my experience once you disconnect a brake line, it doesn't matter how long it's disconnected, you have to bleed the brakes anyway.

I built a special holder that I keep a caliper on in its original spot so I can avoid disconnecting it and not strain the line. I won't say that's the best way to do it, but it's worked ok so far.

I bleed the system between every track event. I'm less concerned about that, more concerned about leaving the system open overnight or longer as I work on different things.

Do you carefully bend the hard line and move the caliper out of the way?

Yep, gingerly move it just far enough to get that rotor off, then I place it back where it would have been on my little holder.