I know some of you are thinking, duh!.. and others are thinking well if it took you a half hour to even get them to go on because they are so tight... then maybe not. So I'm talking to the latter group here, you others that 'know' better... just hush and laugh quietly.
I replaced my fuel lines again a few days ago, with some line that I was satisfied with this time (the ones I put on before were just temporary and only slightly better than the ones that were on there for a decade before). They were so tight to get on, and literally took me a like 10 mins to get on... each barb... On the last line, I had forgotten to slip the hose clamp on there 'before' getting it on the barb... It was so hard to get on, I just figured it was as tight as a hose clamp could make it anyway...
WRONG!
I had driven about 40 miles yesterday before filling up at the gas station and returning home. I was working out in the yard before putting her away in the garage, and I smelled gasoline... thought hmm, that's weird... sniffed out where it was coming from, and my bike was pouring gas all over the driveway. First thought was that it was carbs overflowing, so I went to make sure it was not in prime and it wasn't.
CRAP! Ran and got my socket set, screwdriver, keys, and shortened 2x4... I got the tank propped up and tank petcock turned quicker than I ever have before. After a cool down and closer examination, that damn fuel line had scooted down the barb and was leaking like a blown fire hydrant.
I pulled the fuel line the rest of the way off and added the hose clamp... and I'll be damned if that thing would just as hard to get back on as the first time!... incredibly tight...
I just tossed that fuel line aside and picked up some 1/4'' tygon. Hose clamped them all, and we are good this time for sure... I'm just glad it didn't happen out on the road.
So for all who don't 'think' you need hose clamps... think it over again! The cost and amount of time it takes to install them vs without just isn't worth half the hassle I just went through!
- Bboy
Yep. Been there, done that. It was designed that way for a reason.
i've always used small zipties. Mostly just so I don't have to keep track of them :icon_mrgreen:
What size fuel lines did you use?
Well, they said 5/16"... so I the fitment should have been fine, but I had a heck of a time getting them on... :dunno_black:
- Bboy
Dip them in 2 cycle oil. Slides right in.
Grease the nipples so they slide right in the hole then clamp them down tight so they can't get away.
(I type NIPPLE again! :icon_razz: )
Quote from: BockinBboy on May 16, 2013, 12:18:59 PM
Well, they said 5/16"... so I the fitment should have been fine, but I had a heck of a time getting them on... :dunno_black:
- Bboy
future reference you should be able to get the hose clamps that screw down. you can turn screw backwards to open it, slip over line then reattach and screw closed.
Quote from: adidasguy on May 16, 2013, 01:44:06 PM
Grease the nipples so they slide right in the hole then clamp them down tight so they can't get away.
(I type NIPPLE again! :icon_razz: )
they usually come in two's, no? ;)
Quote from: adidasguy on May 16, 2013, 01:44:06 PM
Grease the nipples so they slide right in the hole then clamp them down tight so they can't get away.
(I type NIPPLE again! :icon_razz: )
I wouldn't use grease, that makes it so they'll come right back off. Hair spray works wonders, though it'll take some pulling to get it back off next time around.
Quote from: mr. happy on May 16, 2013, 06:54:48 PM
Quote from: adidasguy on May 16, 2013, 01:44:06 PM
Grease the nipples so they slide right in the hole then clamp them down tight so they can't get away.
(I type NIPPLE again! :icon_razz: )
they usually come in two's, no? ;)
Here's to nipples! Because without them breasts would be pointless. :cheers:
:woohoo: couldnt agree more :cheers:
Quote from: Zwerski on May 16, 2013, 07:29:47 PM
Here's to nipples! Because without them breasts would be pointless. :cheers:
I see what you did there. :D
I've got 1/4" tygon, and the hose clamps are not necessary on the tank petcock and on the carb, but are needed elsewhere. My no hose clamp lines have stood up to a couple hours of riding at sustained high rpm's. I stopped using them on the tank petcock because the tygon is soft and the hose clamps would mangle them when tight, causing leaks.
Graham :2guns: