Topic: Fuel Hose Routing

[WhyNot2]

I'm guessing this is not the way the lines are spose to go?


The second pic is the inside of the tank , at the petcock exit hole.


And does it look like I'm missing something?


All help is appreciated.

[CycleRanger]

Looks like the tube and screen are missing from the petcock.
The fuel lines should be routed above the carbs.

[seanbarney41]

I think Cycle Ranger has it...you want your fuel to never have to go up.  What year bike?  I used to have a k5 tank with a petcock like yours on a k1...the k1 tank had the petcock on the other side of the tank with dual fuel outlets...so it made fuel hose routing awkward, especially when you gotta fit a fuel filter in there somewhere...

[WhyNot2]

So, I'm guessing I can reply to my own topic.

CycleRanger, Thanks man, preciate the response.

Sean, Thanks too man.....that may explain....idles sort of ok, ...wants to die when I get on the throttle.

Once again, Thanks guys. Gonna have to stop by Street and Trails here in Augusta and see if they have fuel line in stock.

Looks like a new petcock is in my future too.

[BobbyR]

Try to get some polyurethane or Tygon lines. The don;t need clamps and it is bends easier. You have your fuel trying to go uphill. Put the line on the carb inlet first, and experiment with different routings, it will come to up to you. If you are going to use a filter, use one with a 90 degree inlet. It really helps with routing.

[WarwickE36]

+1 for tygon

Get a petcock screen, avoid the in line filter

[CycleRanger]

Here's a shot from my K5. I'm too lazy to pull the tank. 

The line goes through the hole in the stay plate.
And yeah, go with the screen in tank.

[CoachDoc]

Maybe you guys can enlighten me about avoiding the inline filter as well as not having the fuel run "uphill". I've used a setup on my 550 almost identical to that in the picture on my 550 for years (except I have 2 lines/filters), and I haven't had a problem. I actually copied the setup off another 550 I saw parked once- it seemd like a good idea and I do like the added filtration. As long as the tank outlet is higher than the carb bowls- which it always is, the fuel easily flows down and back up the "U" turn and fills the bowls in the usual manner, pushing any air ahead of it out of the vent lines. So what is the rationale behind both not using inline filters and avoiding the uphill part of the run?

[BobbyR]

I like fuel filters, I do not believe that fuel like water likes to go uphill. If you had a pump no problem. To get maximum fuel flow you want the line to bend gently if at all and always have it going downhill. The filter adds a bot of restriction, going uphill adds more. When the bike is upright the tank is way above the inlet, on a turn the angle decreases, tight turn even less angle.

[Duke McDukiedook]

If Honda would have wanted fuel filters in the line they would have designed it that way.
Running the fuel line uphill and adding filters adds to ability of air pockets to enter the line and stay there in the elevated sections and restricts fuel flow.

I have seen people do lots of goofy things in my life but I usually never cared to ape their actions unless it was in the name of fun.
 

[CoachDoc]

If Honda would have wanted fuel filters in the line they would have designed it that way.
Running the fuel line uphill and adding filters adds to ability of air pockets to enter the line and stay there in the elevated sections and restricts fuel flow.

I have seen people do lots of goofy things in my life but I usually never cared to ape their actions unless it was in the name of fun.
 

Interesting comment about the air pockets and "uphill run" restricting flow in the lines. At times I've used clear fuel lines with filters and the lines running down and up as described. Most of the time you can see air in there, but I've never had a problem with restricted flow. Once I  had 2 sticking float jets causing those 2 carbs to spill fuel like crazy out the overflow tubes. You could see the air in the lines, but the fuel flowed around it like Niagara Falls, and this seems to be the case when operating as well. Conclusion might be that while the flow of fuel could be maximized by removing the filters and uphill stretch, but it's not necessary in practicality as plenty of fuel is getting through. Might be a bigger problem on bikes with 1 line feeding all 4 carbs.

[Gordon]

Maybe you guys can enlighten me about avoiding the inline filter as well as not having the fuel run "uphill". I've used a setup on my 550 almost identical to that in the picture on my 550 for years (except I have 2 lines/filters), and I haven't had a problem. I actually copied the setup off another 550 I saw parked once- it seemd like a good idea and I do like the added filtration. As long as the tank outlet is higher than the carb bowls- which it always is, the fuel easily flows down and back up the "U" turn and fills the bowls in the usual manner, pushing any air ahead of it out of the vent lines. So what is the rationale behind both not using inline filters and avoiding the uphill part of the run?

+1

This is the easiest way to route the lines if you use in-line filters.  It's how I route them on my current bikes, and have on others, too, and it's never caused me any problems.  The only "issue", if you can call it that, is the small amount of fuel that's left in the downward bend once the tank is empty, but that's extra fuel anyway since that extra length of line wouldn't even be there if it were routed the stock way.