Fuel Line Protection?

[natemoen]

Grainger or an electric supply place would have spools.

[cywelchjr]

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.

Yep, that's what I've been using now for almost 2 years. Replaced it once just because I cut them shorter than I should have the first time, so I replaced them and made sure they were the right length this time.

[cywelchjr]

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.

My mower sits outside all year round in the sun. I use the same fuel line on both, yellow stuff that I got from home depot that is made for lawn mowers. I've had some on my 400 for 2 years now, and it's still flexible and sealed just fine.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bug,

I bought some GREY ?Rubber? fuel line from my local Yamaha shop when I did my bike rebuild in 2000, was like $3.00 a foot IIRC, but it's still on there.

I just did a search and BikeBandit has Motion Pro GREY Tygon fuel line that is UV Hardening Resistant, but they only sell it in 25ft sections!

I don't know if the line I got was synth rubber, or neoprene, vs. Grey Tigon, but I have to use clamps to secure it, and I've heard folks say they can fit the Tygon stuff on without clamps!?

I thought the purpose of using Tygon was to be able to have CLEAR lines to be able to see the fuel flowing? So...now if you're talking about having to COVER it up to protect it from UV, then it's no longer transparent, and so I would think you would want to look at other forms of Tygon or such that is NOT transparent and UV resistant.

http://www.bikebandit.com/motion-pro-tygon-fuel-line

T.C.

[planedick]

I wonder

Why I never have that problem. Maybe because I use automobile fuel lines. Always flexible, long lasting and unaffected by the sun...

[cywelchjr]

Why I never have that problem. Maybe because I use automobile fuel lines. Always flexible, long lasting and unaffected by the sun...

Yeah, but they can cause trouble with the needle valves cause the rubber tends to flake off then putting them on and off. Of course with filters, since the petcock end is the one you remove, I don't know how much of an issue that really is/would be. At least with filters on, it was never an issue for me.

[ManagerMike]

Why I never have that problem. Maybe because I use automobile fuel lines. Always flexible, long lasting and unaffected by the sun...

Was wondering that myself. And how much UV radiation actually penetrates the fuel tank to impinge upon the fuel hoses. I don't know of too many folks riding bikes north of the arctic circle, even in what passes for summer up there. (ditto for the southern hemisphere)

[DGXSER]

I know I tried automotive fuel line with the soft rubber inner lining once. When I pulled the carbs on old Thunderstruck and rebuilt them. I had done the Prom bench test, and the right side up test with the float bowls on and nothing leaked. Then I put them on the bike and one of the floats would leak. Repeated this process pulling, cleaning brand new float valves and seats, reinstalling four or five times. I was ready to set the bike on fire myself I was so frustrated. Then I found the problem, the rubber liner was flaking off when I put the hose onto the fuel Ts at the carbs. Small little flakes were getting to the floats and keeping them from sealing off.


That was when I went to Home Depot and got the B&S fuel line and never had a problem with those floats again. As always YMMV, but that is my story.

[CatatonicBug]

Hey Bug,

I bought some GREY ?Rubber? fuel line from my local Yamaha shop when I did my bike rebuild in 2000, was like $3.00 a foot IIRC, but it's still on there.

I just did a search and BikeBandit has Motion Pro GREY Tygon fuel line that is UV Hardening Resistant, but they only sell it in 25ft sections!

I don't know if the line I got was synth rubber, or neoprene, vs. Grey Tigon, but I have to use clamps to secure it, and I've heard folks say they can fit the Tygon stuff on without clamps!?

I thought the purpose of using Tygon was to be able to have CLEAR lines to be able to see the fuel flowing? So...now if you're talking about having to COVER it up to protect it from UV, then it's no longer transparent, and so I would think you would want to look at other forms of Tygon or such that is NOT transparent and UV resistant.

http://www.bikebandit.com/motion-pro-tygon-fuel-line

T.C.

For me, the reason for the Tygon is less about vsibility, and more about flexibility without kinking. Being transparent IS a bonus at times though. I had automotive lines on my bike before, and I had the same flaking inner liner issue, especially with how often I end up removing the tank. I hadn't thought of looking for a different KIND of Tygon line. I'll have to research that. My single local supplier only carries the yellow stuff, so I may have to bite the bullet and order it online. I hate paying for shipping on stuff like that though...

[CatatonicBug]

I was just looking on the Tygon website, and found the page for the line I am using. It says that the yellow stuff is specifically designed for fuel, and is supposed to be UV-resistant, and that it resists embrittlement... I wonder if the problem I am having is more related to the relative age of the tubing I have been buying. It has all come from the same box that sits on the top shelf in the back of the store. For all I know, the stuff is 20 years old!

[DAVINCI]

Just a thought, but the variation in tygon's degradation may in part be due to the regional differences in fuel additives?

[CatatonicBug]

Just a thought, but the variation in tygon's degradation may in part be due to the regional differences in fuel additives?

Quite possible. I just saw one ad for the stuff that said it was not compatible with fuel with >10% ethanol. I know the fuel I usually use has ethanol in it (as does ALL fuel in this area), but who knows what other kinds of things they put in there along with it...

The more and more I read about this stuff, I think you may be right though. It seems that the hardening of most tubing is actually caused by the fuel, and not by UV exposure.