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  • Fuel Line Protection?

    I have replaced my fuel lines with Tygon tubing, and I really like how flexible it is. Unfortunately, after about a year, the tubing has become HARD! I bought some 90ยบ inline filters from Cycle Gear to add to my fuel lines, but the lines are too stiff to trust adding the filters to them. I'll have to replace them again, at over $2.30/ft., and would really like to protect them from getting stiff again.

    The way I understand it, the cause of the hardening of the lines is UV exposure. I'm trying to come up with a reasonably cost-effective way of preventing UV exposure, but retaining the flexibility of the Tygon. I found some stuff called Nylon multifilament sleeving that seems like it might work, but I'm not sure. Has anyone else found a solution to this problem?

    I know there is the option of braided stainless lines, but with the octy and inline filters, the cost of the end fittings really gets astronomical, and I'm not sure if there's even enough room for them around the octy. I'm sure the flexibility isn't all that great either.
    Last edited by CatatonicBug; 03-06-2011, 11:21 PM.
    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

  • #2
    Just replace the lines one time with filters, and your good for two years, tops. Tygon has it good and bad sides. The cost per foot isn't that bad, when you look at the cost of BAD fuel lines! I've found a good local supply of fuel lines, and they seem to last about three years. In this day, that's a LONG TIME!
    Ray Matteis
    KE6NHG
    XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
    XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

    Comment


    • #3
      I figure that if a cage can keep it\'s fuel lines for the life of the vehicle, I shouldn\'t have to change them every year or two. If I can prevent them from deteriorating, it might save me the $20/year I\'ve spent on fuel lines.
      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

      Comment


      • #4
        Gas line

        Hey Bug,How ya doing,
        I don't have the hardening problem with my Tygon , but have had a problem with it tearing on the wall pulling it off the petcock outlet, I'm using Tygon on both the gas line and the smaller air inlet side,price isn't all that bad and way I got it figured out once a year new filters/new line,all for about ten dollars. Part of my yearly maint.

        Comment


        • #5
          Couple times a day you could rub sunscreen on the fuel lines.....
          Nathan
          KD9ARL

          μολὼν λαβέ

          1978 XS1100E
          K&N Filter
          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
          OEM Exhaust
          ATK Fork Brace
          LED Dash lights
          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

          Green Monster Coils
          SS Brake Lines
          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

          Theodore Roosevelt

          Comment


          • #6
            Hey Bug,

            A cheaper option that I find works just as good and just as flexible is Lawn mower fuel line. Go to your local hardware store in the yard care section. You can by several feet of it for $2-3.
            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

            Comment


            • #7
              I dont know if Tygon is clear/tanslucent or if that is a factor you want to retain, but I bought Performix brand Plastidip multipurpose Rubber Coating spray for my carb boots and recoated them giving them new life. For your applications it should shield well against UV.

              This applies in very thin layers and is very flexible. For the carb boots I applied it 4 times to keep the cracks from getting worse and look more presentable.
              The sprays come in a few colors and clear, but I went with black.

              I bought mine at Ace Hardware but this is their URL http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...2872&catid=699

              good luck!
              79 Special
              2012 FJR1300
              78 E (project. Clutch problems from PO) Must sell

              Comment


              • #8
                Tygon is a yellow transparent line. I personally wouldn't.want to coat it and not be able to see through it.
                Nathan
                KD9ARL

                μολὼν λαβέ

                1978 XS1100E
                K&N Filter
                #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                OEM Exhaust
                ATK Fork Brace
                LED Dash lights
                Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                Green Monster Coils
                SS Brake Lines
                Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                Theodore Roosevelt

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Iron Duke View Post
                  ...way I got it figured out once a year new filters/new line,all for about ten dollars. Part of my yearly maint.
                  That's just it... I shouldn't HAVE TO replace my fuel lines every year if a cage can keep the lines for decades. There is no difference between the fuel that is used in the two vehicles, so I figure there has to be something that can be done to keep the lines from deteriorating on the bike.

                  Originally posted by natemoen View Post
                  Couple times a day you could rub sunscreen on the fuel lines.....
                  cute... My bike would end up smelling "tropical fresh" at the same time!
                  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

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    A cage uses different type of fuel line plus they are always concealed and in the shade. That thick double walled stuff will stay soft for a long time....

                    Or take your pick of the tropical scents
                    Nathan
                    KD9ARL

                    μολὼν λαβέ

                    1978 XS1100E
                    K&N Filter
                    #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                    OEM Exhaust
                    ATK Fork Brace
                    LED Dash lights
                    Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                    Green Monster Coils
                    SS Brake Lines
                    Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                    In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                    Theodore Roosevelt

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Bug;

                      McMaster-Carr sells it for $1.25 per foot. THEIR PART # 5552K24, get 50 feet or more and it's $1.05 / ft.

                      http://www.mcmaster.com/
                      Former owner, but I have NO PARTS LEFT!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Any reason cheap heat-shrink tube wouldn't work as a cover? It's flexible, opaque (even in colors), and easy to find...
                        Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

                        '78E original owner - resto project
                        '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
                        '82 XJ rebuild project
                        '80SG restified, red SOLD
                        '79F parts...
                        '81H more parts...

                        Other current bikes:
                        '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
                        '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
                        '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
                        Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
                        Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I was looking the other day, and saw where there was a black Tygon line. Maybe they were not telling the truth, but it did say it was available in black. Black in itself should help protect the line. If the sun can't penetrate in, then it can't do as much damage. It is like using white caulk instead pf clear. The sun goes through the clear, and bakes it off from underneath, but the white does not have the problem.
                          1980 XS1100LG Midnight
                          1991 Honda CBR1000F Hurricane


                          "The hand is almost valueless at one end of the arm if there be not a brain at the other"

                          Here's to a long life and a happy one.
                          A quick death and an easy one.
                          A pretty girl and an honest one.
                          A cold beer and another one!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Bug, most fuel line in a car is metal, like the brake lines. It only goes to rubber just when it is connecting to the carb/ throttle body. Most newer cars are hard piped from what I have seen. What is under the hood is not subjected to UV or much of the weather. Its kind of like thinking your seat could be made of crush velour and stand the test of time same as in my 84 olds. Nice as it sounds, just not going to happen.

                            I will say, a local independent bike shop sells black fuel line for bikes at about $2 a foot IIRC. That was when I decided to use Briggs and Stratten fuel line. If it holds up in my mower, it should do fine on the bike.
                            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

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by crazy steve View Post
                              Any reason cheap heat-shrink tube wouldn't work as a cover? It's flexible, opaque (even in colors), and easy to find...
                              That was one thought I had. I have a hard time finding it in any decent quantities around here though. All I ever get is the little assortment pack at Radio Shack. I have a small spool of red stuff too, but it's way too small for the fuel line to fit into.

                              Originally posted by DGXSER View Post
                              I will say, a local independent bike shop sells black fuel line for bikes at about $2 a foot IIRC. That was when I decided to use Briggs and Stratten fuel line. If it holds up in my mower, it should do fine on the bike.
                              My mower uses the black stuff too. However, my mower only sees sunlight maybe 3-4 days/month for about 2 hours, and none at all in the Winter. My bike sees sunlight every single day of the year, all day long (I park in a semi-exposed carport, and ride year-round). I can't really compare my bike's UV exposure to a mower's.
                              Last edited by CatatonicBug; 03-07-2011, 10:50 AM.
                              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

                              Comment

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