Topic: Clear fuel line - CB750K2

[andy750]

Background:
Ive had clear fuel line (Motion Pro stuff) on one outlet (2-outlet petcock) since Mar 2007 on my CB750K2 and the other outlet had stock fuel line. Ive had the tank on/off a number of times.

Well today was my first ride with my new polished tank (bike had sat for a week without being run) and I was heading into work, about a mile from my house when I suddenly lacked power. I thought that a spark plug had given up and then I looked down and saw fuel pouring over the clutch cover. So I turned the fuel tap off and cruised over to the side of the road. Both fuel lines were sealed to the top but when I turned the tap back on the clear line leaked a lot. I wasnt going anywhere - gas was making puddles in the lower engine! I called the g/f and she came on the scooter (the pink 1966 Vespa) with replacement stock fuel line. Fitted this and was on my way  . 

Moral of the story..clear fuel line may look cool but its properties are NOT the same as stock black fuel line and MAY as I found give up at any time. Lucky for me I was only a mile from home! Ive had clear fuel line before (different source) and it wasnt too bad - ended up with minor leaks though. Anyway thats my experience and Ill be sticking with stock from now on 

cheers
Andy

[merc2dogs]

 What type of clear?
 there are several types I've found, some seem to work as well as running no fuel line at all.

 I run the clear blue stuff, stays soft and flexible, doesn't deem to harden up or shrink and expand with temps, real good stuff.

 The un-colored transparant stuff is a total crap shoot, unless you can actully read the label, it may just be aquarium air line.

 Small zip ties work great as hose clamps on fuel lines too.

ken.

[andy750]

Good points Ken.

I bought this stuff:

Product Name: Fuel Line - clear - 3/16" ID 5/16" OD
Quantity: 2  Product ID: KL15-5218 Price: $0.75

http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=296

Which I believe is Motion Pro clear fuel line.

From Z1 Enterprises back in Aug 2006 (but used only since Mar 2007). No complaints on what they are selling - it worked fine for a year but perhaps thats its life span? Where do you get your supple blue line? And good point about the zip ties. I wasnt using any clips on my line (never needed to before).

cheers
Andy

[750K2]

andy -
a) three cheers for catching the leak in time and:
b) FOUR cheers for having a girlfriend who can locate, identify and deliver spare fuel line!  does she have a sister??
frank

[andy750]

andy -
a) three cheers for catching the leak in time and:
b) FOUR cheers for having a girlfriend who can locate, identify and deliver spare fuel line!  does she have a sister??
frank

I had no choice on the leak Frank..I wouldnt have gotten very far with gas pouring from the tank 

Actually she does have a sister...who at this moment is flying to Indonesia with her b/f  Keep looking 

Are you riding the K2 today? Ill be out tomorrow riding up to Ipswich for some canoeing down river stuff.....

cheers
Andy

[eurban]

I installed clear fuel line with similar results to Andy.  Not sure of its chemical makeup but it really was not up to the task.  The transparent blue POLYURETHANE fuel line I use now is very stretchy, doesn't require hose clamps and has remained that way for over two years.  In good light, you can see the fuel in this line.  I think there is a redish version of it too . . ..

[MCRider]

Background:
Ive had clear fuel line (Motion Pro stuff) on one outlet (2-outlet petcock) since Mar 2007 on my CB750K2 and the other outlet had stock fuel line. Ive had the tank on/off a number of times.

Well today was my first ride with my new polished tank (bike had sat for a week without being run) and I was heading into work, about a mile from my house when I suddenly lacked power. I thought that a spark plug had given up and then I looked down and saw fuel pouring over the clutch cover. So I turned the fuel tap off and cruised over to the side of the road. Both fuel lines were sealed to the top but when I turned the tap back on the clear line leaked a lot. I wasnt going anywhere - gas was making puddles in the lower engine! I called the g/f and she came on the scooter (the pink 1966 Vespa) with replacement stock fuel line. Fitted this and was on my way  . 

Moral of the story..clear fuel line may look cool but its properties are NOT the same as stock black fuel line and MAY as I found give up at any time. Lucky for me I was only a mile from home! Ive had clear fuel line before (different source) and it wasnt too bad - ended up with minor leaks though. Anyway thats my experience and Ill be sticking with stock from now on 

cheers
Andy

Yes, you just got hold of some clear line that was not intended to be fuel line. I've always used clear line with no problem other than hardening with age, which is probably common with all line. Just be sure when one buys clear line it is stipulated as being impervious to fuel.
Ron

[eurban]

No, Andy used Motion Pro stuff which is specified as fuel line.  I definitely bought fuel line as well and it probably was the same Motion Pro stuff. As I mentioned the Urethane stuff works very well and really outperforms any line that I have tried in the past.   The clear Vinyl tubing available at the hardware store is certainly not fuel line but I actually do use an 1/8 version of it on my overflow nubs (78carbs) as it allows you to visually confirm the level of fuel in the bowls by holding the fuel line high up along the carb bodies and opening the drain screw.  Fuel stays in the line for just a short while so it holds up OK.  The ends of the line where a drip of fuel typically hangs on have mushroomed a bit over a couple of years.

[smccloud]

The blue stuff is 1/4" snowmobile fuel line, which is why it doesn't harden a lot.  at below zero temps you don't want your fuel line hardening and breaking

i run the blue line on my k2, and the only issue i have is that its hard to get off the fittings.

[Klark Kent]

A couple years ago i got yellow transparent fuel line from these guys  It was Tygon brand.  I had to get the closest standard diameter to the metric petcock and use a small ziptie to ensure it stays put but i have no complaints.  It's good stuff but even though they say its good for snowmobiles, after about a year and a half i did notice it was a little stiff (nowhere near cracking though)- i had the carbs off so I replaced it with more of the same, so i could slip it on and off the petcock without removing / replacing the zipties.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

According to MotionPro's web site:

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/products/clear_pvc_fuel_line/

their "clear PVC" line is "Recommended for venting and overflow lines"

You may have to step up to their "Premium" fuel line for clear supply line.

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/products/motion_pro_premium_fuel_line/

[mick750F]

   Hey Andy...I got the blue(snowmobile) line at G&G Cycle in Salisbury... http://www.gandgcycle.com/index.htm...just a couple of towns north of Ipswich. Probably closed tomorrow though...
 
   I've been using it for 3-4 years now with no problems.

Mike

[MRieck]

A couple years ago i got yellow transparent fuel line from these guys  It was Tygon brand.  I had to get the closest standard diameter to the metric petcock and use a small ziptie to ensure it stays put but i have no complaints.  It's good stuff but even though they say its good for snowmobiles, after about a year and a half i did notice it was a little stiff (nowhere near cracking though)- i had the carbs off so I replaced it with more of the same, so i could slip it on and off the petcock without removing / replacing the zipties.

The yellow Tygon is good but it kinks very easily. Routing must be perfect.

[MRieck]

 Andy
 I have about 8 types of fuel lins at the house. you can check it out tomorrow if you like.

[andy750]

Thanks Mike!

And thanks to everyone else for the comments and input. All great info! Sounds like the blue line is the stuff to use but then it will clash with the orange metalflake tank/sidecovers 

cheers
Andy

[smccloud]

Thanks Mike!

And thanks to everyone else for the comments and input. All great info! Sounds like the blue line is the stuff to use but then it will clash with the orange metalflake tank/sidecovers 

cheers
Andy

can't really see the fuel line

[andy750]

Which is why I went to back to stock black line 

cheers
Andy

[MCRider]

No, Andy used Motion Pro stuff which is specified as fuel line.  I definitely bought fuel line as well and it probably was the same Motion Pro stuff. SNIP

End Quote

Thanks for the headsup. I was thinking along the lines of the hardware store stuff which often melts with gasoline.  I see now he mentioned MP in his post, my bad. I'll be careful if ordering from MotionPro or the like.