I've replaced my fuel lines with Suzuki 1/4" line.  The line I removed has a hard-ish plastic shell, but the new lines did not.  Is this something extra I need to purchase?  I guess it's some kind of heat shield in case the line gets near the engine block?

thanks.

 i thinkg you are missing a couple sentenances there.. ..try to better clarify the problem and maybe you will be a ble to get some help on it...Right now i dont fully understand the problem..  something about the new gas line not fitting in where it should....

Sounds complete to me... 

The parts you are asking about are a protective cover. If you buy the actuall parts (from suzuki for the GS specific) they come w/ it. But, if you just bought some general fuel line they wont have that extra covering.

In short, you dont need them.  I have had some clear line I got from a board member and I have had no trouble w/ melting or anything 

I thought my post was pretty clear too.  Anyways, thanks for the reply.

I bought genuine Suzuki fuel line from a dealer, but I guess it was not GS500-specific because it did not have the protective "skin".  I'm glad to know that other have used bare lines without trouble.