Topic: Those little carb tubes...

[medic09]

Okay, so I'm all done with my carbs.  The little lines between the carbs (the accelerator pump tubes, and the breather tubes) are getting hard, and I tore one when disassembling the carbs.  I jogged on down to the local repair shop.  Tried another one, too.  No one has lines that diameter.  Tried Pep Boys, another private shop, and even ducked into the Hardley dealer (don't worry, no one saw me).

If I order the little "Tube set, pump" from HondaPartsDirect, it's almost $30 !  I thought for sure I could buy a few dollars worth of small diameter line and cut it to fit, but it's not available around here.  Even the main fuel line isn't to be had in good quality, though I can get MotionPro line when I'm in ABQ.

So, those of you who've replaced these things, what did you do?  What do you suggest?  Do I have to order them and pay the price?

 

[Jonesy]

Go to a small engine shop and see if they have TYGON tubing or a similar product. Small diameter, fuel-resistant tubing is typically carried by these shops as it is popularly used for fuel lines on weedwackers and chainsaws.

Be careful with small diameter tubing from auto parts stores, as it is usually for vacuum lines, and is not compatible with fuel.

[medic09]

Thanks Jonesy.  I knew about the small diameter=vacuum tubing problem in the auto supply places.  Small engine repair, eh?  I'll have to look into it.

Anybody else?

[Jonesy]

Small engine repair, eh?

Yeah, that was my previous life...

[BobbyR]

I got some of that polyurethane line from cycle shop that also did Go Karts. It is really good stuff and you don;t need to clamp it. In fact, once you put it on, you have to cut it off. try a Go Kart supplier.

[grumburg]

Got mine at the mower shop. Lawn Boy line matches perfectly.

[medic09]

I got some of that polyurethane line from cycle shop that also did Go Karts. It is really good stuff and you don;t need to clamp it. In fact, once you put it on, you have to cut it off. try a Go Kart supplier.

The blue polyurethane is all I could get at one local shop.  I didn't want funky blue for fuel line and carb parts (though I do have it for the lines on my Yamaha).  I just want high-quality, twin sheath black line.  I just don't want to pay an outrageous price.

[BobbyR]

It also comes in black. I gotta tell ya, you can't see the blue. I used it for years. I did just score some black, but that was a lucky chance.

[jtb]

The Middle one, or one of the outside ones?

[medic09]

The Middle one, or one of the outside ones?

The middle one is aluminum.  They're all in good shape. 

What I want to replace are the main fuel line (longer to accomodate an inline filter), accelerator pump lines (on the fiche "Tube set, pump 16048-393-004) and the breather lines (Tube, 4.5X6X26, and X34), and "Pipe, rubber 16199-393-600" and "Tube (4.5X6X120) that's the long breather that extends over the airbox.

Really only the accel pump line must be fuel line quality, in addition to the main line.  The breather lines don't have to be, but they might as well be ,considering the environment they're in.

[jtb]

I was just wondering which of the three tubes that comprise the "tube set, pump" you tore.  The middle tube is longer than the outside tubes.  At any rate, I have a set of those tubes in my extras bin.  Be glad to send you one, if you'll tell me which, and send me your address.

John

[medic09]

I was just wondering which of the three tubes that comprise the "tube set, pump" you tore.  The middle tube is longer than the outside tubes.  At any rate, I have a set of those tubes in my extras bin.  Be glad to send you one, if you'll tell me which, and send me your address.

John

Now I got it.  Thanks!  The ones off of my spare rack are hard as rock.

John, you're a scholar, and a gentleman, and... (make sure your wife sees this  ).

I tore one of outside/end tubes.  If, by chance, you also have a spare middle breather tube, that one split at the end going back on...

I'll happily pay for them, and postage.  Thanks!  I'll PM you the address.

[bryanj]

Not sure on the size but what about the small rubber line on diesel injector return pipes?

[medic09]

Not sure on the size but what about the small rubber line on diesel injector return pipes?

I'm not familiar with that.  The small motor/lawn mower stuff I understand, and it seems sensible.  Of course, I don't know *why* I thought the motorcycle repair shops might have something suitable... 

[bryanj]

Ah us brits run far more diesels due to the exhorbitant fuel tax here and diesels do more MPG for the same power! On the injectors is a fuel return system to the tank (and or filter) and that is small bore low pressure

[medic09]

Ah us brits run far more diesels due to the exhorbitant fuel tax here and diesels do more MPG for the same power! On the injectors is a fuel return system to the tank (and or filter) and that is small bore low pressure

Thank you, sir. 

I looked for small motor repair shops in this area, and can't find a one!  Well, there are a couple of lawn-mower repair places I'll visit for future reference (jtb is already mailing a single tube that I *must* replace); but the Yellow Pages have no listings for small engine repair, or engine repair, or motor repair, or boat engine/motor service, etc.  Kinda surprised...

[ProTeal55]

You could also try a Hobby store that deals with Gas/Nitro powered RC cars/planes/boats/etc..
They almost always have small diameter fuel line in bulk, and sometimes in different colors as well..

[medic09]

Okay, jtb has solved the immediate problem by mailing me a tube to replace the one that's torn.  Still, when I was at the auto body shop with my car today I thought "self, you're in the right part of town where all the car and bike shops are.  let's take a look around while they're working on the Subaru".

WILD GOOSE CHASE.

I have been to at least 1/2 dozen auto parts stores, 3 or 4 foreign auto repair shops, every bike shop, two custom bike builders, and the chain saw, etc. place (he had funky pink 5.5mm).  Not one place has the 4.5mm or 5.5mm line.  Oddly, two places had SMALLER lines; for old VWs they told me.  I'm just sort of amazed...

So, thanks to jtb I can use the carbs as is, but I still think this fine old bike deserves fresh lines.  I'll just keep my eyes open when I'm in ABQ, or talking to suppliers/dealers about other parts.

Pretty strange.