Vent hoses are they really needed?

[Thrillwill352]

Hey guys I realized a few weeks after getting my GS that it doesn't have a vent hose on the carbs or gas tank, should i not worry about it or is it something worth adding? if so hows long is each one? thanks -Will 

[BockinBboy]

YES AND YES!

Tank 'vent' is also known as the tank 'overflow' - which means if gas were to overflow, it should go down the tube and safely away from your hot engine.  If there is no tube, it dumps right onto your hot engine = fire... and there are pics on the forum to prove it.  Your tank can overflow, or run over for many reasons, and temperature fluctuation and your riding lean are only a couple of those.  The proper routing of this tube directs downward and crosses over to the right side of the bike, and terminates next to the airbox drain hose near the rear brake lever.

The carb vent is mainly there to route the terminating end out of the wind.  If there is no tube, then at speed or with side winds, the gas will not flow properly due to the pressure created by the airflow across the vent - this will fuel starve your bike, and easily cause it to die on you over and over again - pulsing or bucking would also be in line with this just before it stalls out on you, just like when you need to switch to reserve.  The proper routing of this tube goes over the airbox, and terminates between the airbox and battery.

Do yourself a big favour and get those replaced ASAP - it will save you a lot of trouble and worry.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure how long they each are without my bike or the manual near - maybe some good searching can pull something up if you don't get a reply on that here.  Or you can also take some string and route it where the tubes should go, and then you'll know how long they need to be.  It would be important to note that you want these tubes to have a fair amount of rigidity so they don't kink on you, because either of these would cause fuel starvation symptoms if there is a problem with its routing like that.

[Thrillwill352]

thanks man I appreciate the advice that's exactly what i was looking for, I guess the previous owner was against vent hoses cause i don't have one on my air box either haha but my K&N lunchbox just came in today so i wont need it 

[bombsquad83]

When I got my bike, it was lacking all of these hoses as well.  I bought OEM replacements for all of them, and I'm glad that I did.

[robfriedenberger]

I really wouldn't spend the extra money on OEM they don't seam to be any better,  go to your local hardware store or auto store as pick up some reenforced fuel rated line they sell it by the foot


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[Thrillwill352]

Yea that's what I planned on doing ill probably go to Home Depot or something when I get off work and I just ordered a jet kit from Buddha  so ready to get back on the road!

[fetor56]

Any hose is better than none,especially if u have the standard battery.