Topic: How hard is it to replace fuel lines on CB550F ss

[FLEXXED]

I am truely a novice at mechanis work and have a gas leak that I figure is and lof fuel line can someone tell me if I could change out the fuel line without removing the carbs from the bike? also can I just get the replacement fuel line at Autozone or NAPA? thanks for everyone's help thus far I am about ready to try the jewel out...Daniel

[dusterdude]

not hard and napa or the zone will have it.

[GoatBaSS]

Yes you can! But I would make sure it is the line that is leaking. Take a bit of line with you to the auto parts store and take notes on how the lines are routed now.

[TwoTired]

The stock fuel line hose is 5.3 or 5.5mm Inside Diameter (.208 or .217 in.), and is what the parts diagram calls out.
Honda P/N  95001-55008-40M is bulk hose that Honda dealerships can stock.  They sell it to you by the foot unless you want the whole 40M roll.

If you can find a store that stocks 7/32  fuel hose (0.21875 inch or 5.5562mm), this is nearly identical.

Most likely they will try and sell you 1/4 in. hose. (0.250 inch or 6.3500mm).  This sort of works.  But, only seals onto the barbs of the carb fuel fitting (6.8mm) and not the shaft of the fitting (6.0mm).  If the fuel line is of the hardening type it will probably leak eventually.  And, doesn't seal that well in any case.

Also, the fuel line going to the carbs on the CB550 passes through holes in the carburetor linking flange.  Some 1/4 inch I.D. hoses have an O.D. too large to fit easily inside these holes. Though they can be forced with a struggle.

The carb fittings on the Cb550F and earlier carbs are recessed into a small access area.  (after threading through the carb connector flange.)  The nipple can pivot into different positions.    I would not attempt replacing these on the bike without a large, long forceps with curved tips.  (Which I have, BTW)

It can be a test of your manual dexterity.  But, it can certainly be done.

Cheers,

[dusterdude]

in that case you will need to find an import specialty outfit and buy some old vw hose.its right around 5 mm or so and it has a small od too.

[paulages]

Most likely they will try and sell you 1/4 in. hose. (0.250 inch or 6.3500mm).  This sort of works.  But, only seals onto the barbs of the carb fuel fitting (6.8mm) and not the shaft of the fitting (6.0mm).  If the fuel line is of the hardening type it will probably leak eventually.  And, doesn't seal that well in any case.

i can't tell you how many times i've told friends seeking help NOT to buy 1/4 inch fuel line for their early 70's honda, and the parts store sells it to them anyway. a week later the lines are either leaking or sliding off the nipples if you so much as look at them.

i have to buy 3/16" line (because my parts store is about 5 blocks away, and honda is much farther) and CRAM it on there, cursing all the while, and hope that i don't have to pop it off of my inline filter anytime soon.

[bistromath]

I use 1/4" hose with no issues. But that's because I'm using hose clamps on the fittings.

[TwoTired]

i have to buy 3/16" line (because my parts store is about 5 blocks away, and honda is much farther) and CRAM it on there, cursing all the while, and hope that i don't have to pop it off of my inline filter anytime soon.

You don't get issues with the ends splitting over the nipples?

[TwoTired]

I use 1/4" hose with no issues. But that's because I'm using hose clamps on the fittings.

Just thinking about putting hose clamps on those fittings between the carbs, makes my knuckles bleed.  Should have gotten red Mechanix gloves, I suppose.   

[dusterdude]

i use 1/4 on mine with no clamps and have had no problems

[paulages]

You don't get issues with the ends splitting over the nipples?

not at all, but it is a real #$%* to get off once it's on.

i've used 1/4" with hose clamps, and it's been a pain in my ass. however, i have used clear 1/4" line, and though it seemed like it was gonna leak or slip off at first, it hardened up tight enough. but i still prefer a really tight fit with no clamps.

[Dennis]

Honda P/N 95001-55008-40M is bulk hose that Honda dealerships can stock. They sell it to you by the foot unless you want the whole 40M roll.

If you can find a store that stocks 7/32 fuel hose (0.21875 inch or 5.5562mm), this is nearly identical.

Two points, questions or whatever .....

Do any Honda dealers actually stock this stuff anymore?
I wonder why my old Honda fuel lines are so brittle that you can break them in pieces and my 32 year old Yamaha lines are like brand new (no kidding, this is the absolute truth - '73 RD350 running on original fuel lines). 

Anyone know any parts stores that sell 7/32" line?
Actually any non reinforced fuel line? I've been looking unsucessfully for at least 2 years.
Seems that it is just about impossible to get fuel line without the reinforcing braid which increases the OD and the bending radius and just makes things very difficult.

[78 k550]

I have replaced the lines on my 78550 and a couple 72 500's. Like stated before with those fuelinlet tubes moveing can try your paitance. If I had never wrenched on jets in the Air Force I would of hated this job. I have lots of paitance. The local performance shop here in CO sell's oem honda line for 10.00 for 3 feet. I pretty sure it is the 5.5mm hose not the 4.5mm

Paul

[Dennis]

 The local performance shop here in CO sell's oem honda line for 10.00 for 3 feet. I pretty sure it is the 5.5mm hose not the 4.5mm

Paul

 

Ouch!!!

$10 for 3 feet. A mere $3.33/ft for plain, old fashioned, non reinforced small diameter fuel hose!!

What other bargains do they have there? 

[TwoTired]

$10 for 3 feet. A mere $3.33/ft for plain, old fashioned, non reinforced small diameter fuel hose!!
What other bargains do they have there? 

While I understand your desire to be frugal, let's add a bit of perspective.
3 ft is enough to do two bikes.
It is the correct hose for the machine, and should work for 20+ years.
A tank of gas costs more than $5.
$5 to repair a motorcycle is fairly inexpensive, what with some shops charging $80/hour labor rate.

You could buy a newer/different motorcycle that employs the cheaper type of hose you wish to replace.  But, probably not for $10.  So, it's still WAY cheaper than a new bike.

Or, you could encourage Honda and their shops to continue to make the correct parts available for these old bikes.

Feel better?   

I can almost hear those pennies screaming from being pinched so hard?

Cheers,

[Raul CB750K1]

Yeah, and a footlong subway sub is more than 5 bucks. Still, the fuel line is cheaper, though at lunch time won't probably get much success...


I recently installed larger diameter hose. The previous one was a snug fit, but I always have a hard time everytime I needed to remove the hoses when removing the gas tank.

Raul

[dusterdude]

you also dont need reinforced hose either

[Dennis]

$10 for 3 feet. A mere $3.33/ft for plain, old fashioned, non reinforced small diameter fuel hose!!
What other bargains do they have there? 

While I understand your desire to be frugal, let's add a bit of perspective.
3 ft is enough to do two bikes.

Feel better?

No, I still think it's an outrageous price for what it is. Everything has a value, this is just plain overpriced.

Or, you could encourage Honda and their shops to continue to make the correct parts available for these old bikes.


Cheers,

Part of the point is that trhis is not Honda, but just a local hot rod shop.

you also dont need reinforced hose either

 


Exactly!!

It is difficult to find regular hose around here. Reinforced hose which should cost more is cheaper, however difficult (or impossible in some cases) to substitute.

I don't mind spending money on my bikes, I just hate feeling like I got ripped off because the inexpensive item is no longer commonly available.
Like the tiny little trip odometer plastic reset button for my Yamaha - $10!!