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  • #1

    Fuel line/vacuum line

    I've got the carb rack out of my '79 Special, and I've noticed a lot of checking on the fuel lines, so I want to replace them while I have the carb rack out. After a trip to the auto parts store, the only thing I can find that looks similar is vacuum line. Am I correct in thinking that the only difference between vacuum and fuel lines is the extra girth and the reinforcing cloth threads?

    Or more directly. Can I use vacuum line instead of fuel line? The vacuum line is the same physical size ID and OD as what was there.

    Better to ask those in the know

    Thanks
    Ray

    '79 XS1100 Special - An XS Odyssey <<-- Click it, you know you want to!
    '07 FJR1300
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I have read others state they tried this and did not work out well. Don't think the vacuum line is rated for fuel use.

    I went to Home Depot and got some Briggs and Stratton yellow colored fuel line designed for lawn tractors and the like. Had it on for a month I think so far, no problems yet. Don't even have clamps on it and it seals with no problem. Diver Ray suggested Viton, but so far I have not been able to find it locally.
    Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

    When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

    81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
    80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


    Previously owned
    93 GSX600F
    80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
    81 XS1100 Special
    81 CB750 C
    80 CB750 C
    78 XS750

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    • #3
      Silent - I replaced the fuel lines on mine a couple years ago - got it at smythe automotive. Do yourself a favor while your at it and put a couple small inline filters between the tank and carbs. You can get 'em at Z1. I was running small lawn mower filters before the Z1 high volume filters, and they worked as well (tractor supply has a nice selection). TS has the aforementioned yellow fuel line as well. It's thinner walled and more flexible than the stock fuel line, but it should work ok.
      I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

      '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

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      • #4
        Thanks for the replies! I think I'll head over to Home Depot and see if I can find some of that Briggs and Stratton fuel line DGXSER mentioned since I don't know what Z1 is and I've never seen a TS around here.

        I think I'd feel better in the long run knowing that the lines were at least rated to carry fuel. I'll be sure to toss in a couple filters, and add a little extra length to the ones going to the petcocks to ease future throttle body syncs.
        Ray

        '79 XS1100 Special - An XS Odyssey <<-- Click it, you know you want to!
        '07 FJR1300

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        • #5
          Silent - Z1 is another one of those web sites where you can get parts for the XS's. Here's a link - http://www.z1enterprises.com/catalog.aspx?pid=XS1100
          I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

          '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

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          • #6
            Gasoline makes regular vacuum line shrink and get very brittle in just a few days.

            Really, the top of the line for fuel tubing would be Tygon. I really suspect that is what the yellow stuff is. I have used it and it worked fine. Tygon is like neoprene tubing (the stuff they use for IV line) but a bit more rigid.

            A search on the term will yeild some other good alternatives.
            Ich habe dich nicht gefragt.

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            • #7
              I've used the YELLOW stuff, works well, but it will get stiff, really stiff
              ran pods for a while, when I put an airbox on the fuel lines were stiff
              So, I replaced them, but this time i put clamps on, even tho I had no leaks
              1980 XS11 Special aka The Monster
              "My life used to be a Soap Opera, until I realized something, I own the network."
              My Photo Bucket

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              • #8
                I just took a chunk of the old fuel line to Advance Auto Parts and said, "Gimme 10 feet of fuel line that looks like this." They handed me a roll that was a bit larger OD, but the ID was perfect. No problems fitting anywhere through the Octy routing. I don't remember, but I think it cost less than $8.
                1980 XS850SG - Sold
                1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
                Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
                Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

                Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
                -H. Ford

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                • #9
                  Silent,
                  Try going to Road Rider on Montery Road in San Jose. They WILL have everything you need to replace fuel lines, filters, and they even carry the oil filters there! It's also the place I go for tires, as they have them in stock, or can get them within two days and price them close to online shops.
                  Don't bring too much money, though! You WILL go through all the money you bring!
                  Ray Matteis
                  KE6NHG
                  XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
                  XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

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                  • #10
                    Thanks for the good info folks its helped out a lot

                    I wound up replacing all of my fuel lines with the yellow fuel line from Home Depot. I had to go to 2 different stores to get enough, but the job's done, and done well. I even re-used all of the clamps even tho some said it wasn't really necessary. I've even managed to get the carb rack back in the bike, and the upper air box back on.

                    I'm very aware at how fast Road Riders in San Jose can drain a wallet, even with the AMA discount! I'll head over there soon to pick up a couple fuel filters for sure. I'll probably just order a set of tires on-line and just have them drop shipped to the house tho, since I mount and balance my own tires
                    Ray

                    '79 XS1100 Special - An XS Odyssey <<-- Click it, you know you want to!
                    '07 FJR1300

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