Topic: %#&!@ fuel lines!

[Scott S]

 '71 CB500

 Reinstalled the air box and associated parts today. Got down to cutting/routing/installing the fuel lines and pulled one off the barb AGAIN. The line my local Honda dealer stocks is that clear pink stuff and kinks easily when I try to run it through the holes in the carb rack and up to the petcock.
 I'm so frustrated with these things. I Red Koted the tank and will try running without external filters.
 NOW, can someone please tell me
1) Will I be able to push on the correct fuel lines without removing the carbs or air box?
2) What length should each line be?
3) Please show me the correct routing for a CB500
4) Where are you getting soft, pliable 5.5mm fuel line?

[Bodi]

That pinky-clear tube is awful. The walls are too thick to bend a small radius so it just loves to kink, and it turns to stone after a year of gasoline contact.
If your Honda dealer refuses to get the correct 5.5mm black fuel line, try any other Japanese bike dealer. They all use to use the same stuff. What the new bikes use, I have no clue.

[andy750]

I got my nice pliable 5.5 mm from Yamiya as it worked out cheaper than Western Hills Honda and it was shipped very fast. Very happy with it. Nothing like new fuel line.

Andy

[Scott S]

 The Yamiya link in the FAQ returns an error.
 Looking at the Motogrid site, it appears the line is available through Honda. But, if I'm reading it correctly, it comes in bulk and is $23.48 for 10 feet (3000 mm ?).
 I'll talk to my local dealer on Tuesday. I need to order a brake bleeder screw anyway. I can't find one that fits the Honda caliper anywhere locally. I suspect mine is faulty and causing brake bleeding problem, but that's a whole 'nother thread...

 Anyone have a couple of feet of fuel line and a bleeder screw they wanna sell!?

[Frostyboy]

If they're the same as 550, parts fiche reckons 170mm & 280mm are the lengths.

[hijynx]

I have used motion pro line with good results. also if there is an area that wants to kink you can get a light spring with the same i.d. as the hose o.d. & slip it over the hose to keep it round. cb360s actually came that way from the factory.

[Gunner_CAF]

I am restoring a 73 CB500 now.  I just finished the carbs, what a mess.  The two lines I took off are about 12 inches and 7 inches.  The longer line goes thru a clamp on the back of the rack plate.  The both go through a hole in the plate to a T between the 1st and 2nd, and 3rd and 4th carb.  I am not sure how easy this will be without taking anything apart, mine is sitting on the bench now.

I just picked up some fuel line hose at the local hardware store (Menards).  This stuff is good for bikes, I used it on my 66 CB77.  It's rated for gasoline, shiny black, and has a thinner outside diameter than auto fuel line. 

If you have done so yet, go to the top sticky and there is a download to a service manual with good pictures.  It's "CB500 CB550 Workshop Service Manual."  At the end of part 4, there is a picture of the fuel lines.

Gunner

[Scott S]

 Yeah, I've seen the manual. I guess I have them routed properly. I think one of my problems was trying to fit two inline filters in there and keeping the factory routing. Hard to do without kinking the lines or having a convoluted routing.
 I've since RedKoted the tank and will try running just the factory screen. Still, with the pink stuff my Honda dealer has in stock, it's still easy to kink the lines.

 On the parts fiche for the 500, it list three lengths of line; 180, 260 and 300mm.
 I just need to find some GOOD fuel line and hope I can get it back through the carb rack and onto the barbs without removing the carbs and/or the airbox.

[SohRon]

I just need to find some GOOD fuel line

Check Bikebandit for the original black hose in a 5.5mm x 8000mm roll. A little pricey, but better than the transparant "Aquarium" hose, and you'll have some for the next bike!

[Scott S]

 Have a part number for that roll? All I see is standard, not metric lines.
 And is the 5.5mm the o.d. or i.d. ?

[SohRon]

That would be BikeBandit p/n 736218 (250093-001) (5.5X8000),A AC. $48 a roll. Like I said, not cheap, but it's the real deal. Go to BikeBandit.com and look under the section for your bike.

[HondaMan]

I use 7/32" auto vacuum hose. It's rated for alcohol,and methanol as found in windshield wiper fluid, and holds up well as fuel line on these bikes. It is only 0.002" larger ID than the hard-to-find 5.5mm stuff, and can be found in "thick wall" versions, which is kink-resistant.

And it's WAY cheaper. 

[rangelov]

Just call all the Japanese motorcycle dealers in your area.  Ask them if they have the 5.5 mm (inside diameter) fuel line in stock.  They should know if they have it.  They can't miss it, since it is on big roll.  Don't need a part number.

I ending up getting mine at a Suzuki dealer about 15 miles from the house.  I live in the boonies (now suburbia), but NOTHING is closer than 5 miles.

[eideteker]

I use 7/32" auto vacuum hose. It's rated for alcohol,and methanol as found in windshield wiper fluid, and holds up well as fuel line on these bikes. It is only 0.002" larger ID than the hard-to-find 5.5mm stuff, and can be found in "thick wall" versions, which is kink-resistant.

And it's WAY cheaper. 

I tried this and had the opposite result...it was getting spongy and kinking up after only a couple days of exposure to fuel.  I'd estimate the wall thickness at 3/32", seemed beefy enough to me at the time.  Was the stuff I got too cheap?    It was branded as Prestone, but who knows who actually manufactured it. 

[mycb750k6]

Scott,
I know what you're going through. I spent over an hour  yesterday trying to find either 5.5mm or 7/32 fuel line and gave up. After reading this thread I ordered the Yamiya stuff and we'll see. I have a box of a dozen different  kinds in the garage that all leak. And it seems 1/4" is defined as anything between .25" to .28" all the way to 6.5mm so all the 1/4 stuff I bought leaks. You need .21 for a nice snug fit.

[eideteker]

'71 CB500

 Reinstalled the air box and associated parts today. Got down to cutting/routing/installing the fuel lines and pulled one off the barb AGAIN. The line my local Honda dealer stocks is that clear pink stuff and kinks easily when I try to run it through the holes in the carb rack and up to the petcock.
 I'm so frustrated with these things. I Red Koted the tank and will try running without external filters.
 NOW, can someone please tell me
1) Will I be able to push on the correct fuel lines without removing the carbs or air box?
2) What length should each line be?
3) Please show me the correct routing for a CB500
4) Where are you getting soft, pliable 5.5mm fuel line?

1.  Yes, get a flashlight and some needlenose pliers - it'll try your patience, but it works and is still quicker than pulling the whole mess apart.
2.  I eyed it up and trimmed to fit, bollocks to that "measure twice, cut once" crap
3.  Tilt the Ts toward the motor and feed the line through the holes in the carb rack.  Once you look and see what I mean it'll become obvious.
4.  I got mine from here after trying every local bike/small engine/parts store and coming up empty-handed.  Beware, the site is in Australia, but they ship (relatively) quickly and it was a small price to pay for having the correct fuel line (and the peace of mind that goes along with it).

[zzpete]

Just order a 1 meter length from yamiya. The price delivered is 22.09. Not bad. I've ordered from them before and the stuff usually gets here pretty quick.

[ekpent]

I just bought some,I think, 3/16 fuel line and installed on a project recenty to test,40 cents a foot,hdware store closing.Interior ID is around 5mm. Nice tight no drip seal. Heated the ends with a heat gun with a phillips screw driver inserted to pre heat and form and slid on with a little spit with minimal hassle.

[Scott S]

Just order a 1 meter length from yamiya. The price delivered is 22.09. Not bad. I've ordered from them before and the stuff usually gets here pretty quick.

 For about that price I can get 10 feet through the Honda dealer.
 Has anyone actually ordered/used the genuine Honda hose?

 My local bike shops don't have the correct line in stock. I'll call around to dealers in Charlotte and Pineville tomorrow. Many local dealers are closed on Mondays.

 It's just frustrating to get SO close to riding the bike again only to be tripped up by not being able to source the needed parts locally. The tank is lined, stock airbox installed, new plugs, rear brakes done.
 All I really need to do is get the fuel line situation down so I can reinstall the tank and then bleed the front brake a little better. Then I'll be ready for shake down run No.2!

[zzpete]

Just order a 1 meter length from yamiya. The price delivered is 22.09. Not bad. I've ordered from them before and the stuff usually gets here pretty quick.

 For about that price I can get 10 feet through the Honda dealer.
 Has anyone actually ordered/used the genuine Honda hose?

 My local bike shops don't have the correct line in stock. I'll call around to dealers in Charlotte and Pineville tomorrow. Many local dealers are closed on Mondays.

 It's just frustrating to get SO close to riding the bike again only to be tripped up by not being able to source the needed parts locally. The tank is lined, stock airbox installed, new plugs, rear brakes done.
 All I really need to do is get the fuel line situation down so I can reinstall the tank and then bleed the front brake a little better. Then I'll be ready for shake down run No.2!

As I recall it wasn't that cheap for 5.5mm Its more than that at service Honda. Maybe their selling 1/4 inch
http://www.servicehonda.com/look-up-parts/03

[Scott S]

 Well, I was going by the prices on the Motogrid site ("Where can I get parts for my SOHC" in the FAQ).
 My local dealer has met or been cheaper than the prices listed on the Motogrid site. They're closed 'til Tuesday though. I'll call the Honda dealer in Charlotte tomorrow and see what they have.

[andy750]

Just order a 1 meter length from yamiya. The price delivered is 22.09. Not bad. I've ordered from them before and the stuff usually gets here pretty quick.

 For about that price I can get 10 feet through the Honda dealer.
 Has anyone actually ordered/used the genuine Honda hose?

 My local bike shops don't have the correct line in stock. I'll call around to dealers in Charlotte and Pineville tomorrow. Many local dealers are closed on Mondays.

 It's just frustrating to get SO close to riding the bike again only to be tripped up by not being able to source the needed parts locally. The tank is lined, stock airbox installed, new plugs, rear brakes done.
 All I really need to do is get the fuel line situation down so I can reinstall the tank and then bleed the front brake a little better. Then I'll be ready for shake down run No.2!

As I recall it wasn't that cheap for 5.5mm Its more than that at service Honda. Maybe their selling 1/4 inch
http://www.servicehonda.com/look-up-parts/03

I ordered from Yamiya as it was cheaper than BikeBandit, cheaper than WesterHills and cheaper than local Honda dealer..and it came in 3 days! Very happy. Maybe you will have better luck with your local dealer...

Andy

[Scott S]

 Is this what you ordered? :
http://www.yamiya750e.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=32_80&products_id=282

[zzpete]

Is this what you ordered? :
http://www.yamiya750e.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=32_80&products_id=282

YES!

[eideteker]

The Honda shop here sold me 1/4" Motion Pro fuel line that wouldn't stay on with clamps, and when clamped it leaked so bad it might as well have been off!  I gave up on that stuff pretty quick.