[Walt Fricke]

While I think the factory metal lines are the way to go (the flats can be made mostly round again, the little leak brazed closed, etc), you might consider a hybrid - cut the stock lines just to the rear of where they get down out of the front wheel arch, and have the hydraulic shop braze on a fitting. Then run braided line back to your thermostat. This assumes you have metric fittings available for the braided line (you'll need them at the thermostat in any event, though you can purchase AN to metric adapters in these sizes - up front you could have AN fittings brazed on, and use AN on the hose).