Tygon 3/16" ID fuel hose

[tonyg-5386]

Hi Guys,

After reading up on fuel line replacement suggestions I decided to go with tygon 3/16" ID clear yellow f-4040-a line. I just got done trying to work this fuel line onto the petcocks of my 79 Special and there is no way in hell it's going to fit. I even put a little oil in the end of the petcocks and tried to work the line on but there is no way it's going on. I'm sure glad I tried it before I tore all the existing fuel lines off. I knew it would be a bit difficult to get it on but I even snipped 2 small vertical slits into the line to open it up but it won't go on. Feeling kinda dumb here. Any suggestions?

[bikerphil]

Use 1/4" or maybe try heat up the 3/16" with a heat gun.

[BA80]

1/4" will be loose and leak if not properly clamped. 3/16 will fit but it does have to be warm and flexible to get it onto the fittings.

In most cases the smaller line won't even need a clamp but use them anyway.

[Danny Crawdad]

All my fuel lines are 3/16" Tygon -- it will go on, I promise, and it will stay on without clamps. It is actually pretty hard to even pull off once it's on, I have just cut it the past few times I've re-plumbed because it was next to impossible to pull off once it is in place. But, by all means, use a clamp or zip tie if it doesn't seem to be as tight on yours, just make sure it doesn't dig or cut into the soft line.

As for putting them on, I usually wet the end of the line a little (by which I mean I spit on it) before slipping it on. It takes some time, but it does work. It took about 15 minutes to re-plumb both petcocks on my bike (no octy, though).

LOVE the Tygon, by the way, well worth the minimal time and effort. Looks cool, and is everything-resistant. Very tough. I also carry about 3 feet of the stuff rolled up in my tool kit just in case. Bought a 25' length on Amazon for $1/ft six months ago, although prices look like they have gone up since.

[Ebenezer]

I had the same problem, but once you get a method down it will work just fine. I put clamps on as well, but like the other guys said I can't even get the stuff off now. I tried tonight and the nipple on the petcock actually broke before the gas line came off. Now I'm looking for a replacement. That's what I get for working on it in Minnesota in December in an unheated garage.

[Danny Crawdad]

Yeah, I should have posted that -- I actually wouldn't even try to pull the stuff off if I could help it, I also pulled out the nipple from a petcock once. I was able to get it pressed back in with minimal trouble, but I wouldn't chance it again. Speaks to the perfect fit, I guess . Now I just cut the line off, and use a knife to slit what remains on the nipple and pull it off.

TonyG, I definitely wouldn't hesitate to hit it briefly with a hair dryer or heat gun on low to soften it up. I can see it being really difficult to stretch on if it's really cold. I lubricate, then slide half of the line over, and then rotate and push the line to slide the rest of the line over the lip. Once it catches on, it's just a matter of pushing it over the barbs.

[CatatonicBug]

I use the 1/4" and it fits just fine. I do put clamps on it for extra security though. I'd rather have the option of taking it off for maintenance tasks.

[Poprock]

I use the 3/16, no clamps. A little WD40 helps it slip on. Sometimes I stretch it over a needle nose pliers then slip it on fast. It can also be held with pliers close to the end and forced on the petcock. Lube helps. Sticks well once on, better than anything else out there IMHO. Worth the effort for sure.