Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Fuel hose material?

Recently I had a leak on the end of my fuel hose (connecting end to petcock) so I snipped it off. BUT, I was just reading the maintenance schedule and it says replace fuel hose at 8,000miles.

So, my question is regarding the fuel hose material? Looks like simple rubber tubing but I wanted check...I know using the wrong hoses on autos can cause real problems.

Anyone replace theirs yet due to regular maintenance?

I've had to replace the line that comes off the petcock due to a tear in the rubber with ensuing gas leak; too much stretching when I was lifting the tank to do carb synchronization. I voluntarily replaced the rest later because I wasn't entirely satisfied with how the dealership routed the fuel lines when they did the CRS installation. I used fuel injection line from an Advance Auto Parts, which is a bit thicker and harder to work with than the stock stuff, but it also seems alot more durable.

I replaced my fuel hose with an automotive fuel line, like Michael indicated, its a little thicker and not as bendable, but it works. When I went looking for a replacement hose at the dealer, they ordered me the wrong part.

You can even use the inexpensive clear hose stuff sold at a lot of the mega hardware stores. Matt has used it for about a year with no problems. Just dunk a bit in some gas first to see if is is petroleum safe, most of it is. The good aprt is that you can actually see the gas too so you know if you are getting gas and you can easily put a little inline filter in it too.

Years ago you use to ask for neoprene hose when you needed to replace a fuel line.
Today, I have no idea. I'm sure the pierced & pimpled person behind the counter would get the "deer in the headlights" look at the mention of the word neoprene....

For my fuel line, I rerouted it with clear polyvinyl tubing, which is available at any hardware store and costs about a dollar. I made it a little longer than stock so that when I pulled the fuel line off of the tank petcock, I could squish the fuel line up into my throttle cables, which keeps the fuel from spilling all over my motor and hands.

Another thing I did was put a nipple in my gas vent tubing just over my carbs. That way, when I take my tank off, rather than have to hold the tank with my left hand, while balancing it with my left incisor, taking care not to drag my zipper across the paint, as I wiggle my right hand around to reach the tubing, etc. all I have to do is reach just over my carbs, yank the nipple and then take the tank off in one fell swoop.

While you're at it, if you take the tank off all the time (which I'm not sure why anybody would do), consider putting some cheap plastic chrome trim around the bottom flange to protect the paint. I also put that stuff on the back/bottom of my front and rear fenders. I can't say I'm going to put it into any shows, but I swear it makes it run faster.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Got me thinking...and I like the clear tubing idea. It brought a faint picture in my mind that my '73 Bonneville I had as a teenager used clear tubing also. um.

May I reccomend the chrome door trim?

Yes you may!

Hey BonnieUSA: I like your handlebars. I have a speedmaster, I imagine you have to get longer cables for everything. What type of handlebars are they?

Thanks

Deborah