Tygon fuel lines

TheRadBaron · February 18, 2011, 06:09:55 AM

Anyone else had any experience with this stuff? I haven't used it before, but I've read on other forums that it's the business for motorcycle fuel lines. It's a lot cheaper than the Motion Pro low-permeation stuff, too. I got mine from McMaster-Carr for about $1.25/ft. It's 5/16 line and it fits nice and tight on the carb fittings. It's very flexible, but might be a bit more likely to kink or collapse than thicker, firmer line. I'll be routing it very carefully.
I think it's cool looking, too. I'll report back at some point after installation and let you know how it performs.

Dan Filetti · February 18, 2011, 06:46:01 AM

I think fuel lines may be like fork seals; properly installed OEM works, and there have been a sizable number of reported issues with aftermarket/ do it yourself. I do know that the FJ is really sensitive to kinking resulting form fuel-line routing. Many an owner has had issues here. I think it helps a great deal if you are not using the stock air box.

FYI, fuel starvation due to an improper/ kinked fuel line, can occur some time into a ride, too. Depending on the severity of the starvation, the bike will breakup under sustained hard acceleration etc. Watch for these symptoms, and suspect your fuel lines if you see them.

Then again, it could work just fine for you. Definitely report back either way.

Dan

racerman_27410 · February 18, 2011, 09:01:07 AM

SOrry but that line wont take the heat generated under the fuel tank BTDT .....it may work great on chainsaws but not FJ's

once that stuff gets hot its like a wet noodle.

just my experience.

Kookaloo!

Frank

TheRadBaron · February 18, 2011, 04:05:18 PM

Hmmm. It's rated for 200 degrees F. Does it get significantly hotter than that under the tank?
Also, what does BTDT mean?

Yamifj1200 · February 18, 2011, 04:08:19 PM

"Also, what does BTDT mean?"

Been there, done that..

Eric M

TheRadBaron · February 18, 2011, 04:12:23 PM

Oh, okay. Well darn. I liked my new fuel lines. My old, OEM ones are still okay. I guess I'll just put them back on.

racerman_27410 · February 19, 2011, 01:12:21 AM

Quote from: TheRadBaron on February 18, 2011, 04:05:18 PM
Hmmm. It's rated for 200 degrees F. Does it get significantly hotter than that under the tank?
Also, what does BTDT mean?

yes it gets very hot under the fuel tank on a summer day!

Been there /done that= BTDT

that type of hose will work for the float bowl vent tubes but in a smaller size.

KOokaloo!

mz_rider · February 19, 2011, 06:03:18 AM

Quote from: TheRadBaron on February 18, 2011, 04:05:18 PM
Hmmm. It's rated for 200 degrees F. Does it get significantly hotter than that under the tank?
Also, what does BTDT mean?

Since petrol (gasoline) boils at 95C (203F) I don't see where the problem is. Try it, you'll soon find out if it works.

Stuart

racerman_27410 · February 19, 2011, 10:15:01 AM

Quote from: mz_rider on February 19, 2011, 06:03:18 AM
Quote from: TheRadBaron on February 18, 2011, 04:05:18 PM
Hmmm. It's rated for 200 degrees F. Does it get significantly hotter than that under the tank?
Also, what does BTDT mean?

Since petrol (gasoline) boils at 95C (203F) I don't see where the problem is. Try it, you'll soon find out if it works.

Stuart

ever notice the heat shielding on the bottom of the fuel tank ?

ever wonder why they put it there ?

Kookaloo!

Travis398 · February 19, 2011, 12:28:54 PM

Quote from: racerman_27410 on February 19, 2011, 10:15:01 AM
ever notice the heat shielding on the bottom of the fuel tank ?

ever wonder why they put it there ?
Kookaloo!

Sound deadening?

racerman_27410 · February 19, 2011, 08:30:34 PM

Quote from: Travis398 on February 19, 2011, 12:28:54 PM
Quote from: racerman_27410 on February 19, 2011, 10:15:01 AM
ever notice the heat shielding on the bottom of the fuel tank ?

ever wonder why they put it there ?
Kookaloo!

Sound deadening?

just sayin........BTDT

KOokaloo!

TheRadBaron · February 19, 2011, 08:49:04 PM

Hey Racerman,
Based on your experience I reinstalled the original fuel lines. Just out of curiosity, though, what happened that made you think that the tygon line was unsuitable? Did it fail in some way, collapse, or just seem to get too squishy for comfort?

racerman_27410 · February 20, 2011, 12:34:49 AM

Quote from: TheRadBaron on February 19, 2011, 08:49:04 PM
Hey Racerman,
Based on your experience I reinstalled the original fuel lines. Just out of curiosity, though, what happened that made you think that the tygon line was unsuitable? Did it fail in some way, collapse, or just seem to get too squishy for comfort?

got hot and flattened itself out in every turn like a wet noodle..... it would probably be ok 9 months out of the year but unfortunately thats not when i was trying it.

same thing when i tried it as a vacume line... epic fail.

it never did leak any fuel but there were signs of it melting at the hose clamp connections.

KOokaloo!

TheRadBaron · February 20, 2011, 08:58:17 AM

Yeah, that sounds lame. I'm glad I got your input before I put the tank back on. Thanks.
I bought a bunch of the stuff, too. I think it'll still work on most bikes, though. Ones with less demanding fuel line routing and more ventilation. Fuel line is one of those things that is a lot more difficult than it should be. On non-FJ bikes I've always had luck with the thick walled, automotive stuff you can get any any parts store. Sometimes it's too thick to fit where it needs to go, though. I tried this blue urethane fuel line and it's the worst stuff I've ever used. Once you get it over the barb it's nearly impossible to get off, but in spite of this tenacity it still randomly starts leaking for no reason.
The tygon stuff seems to conform to the barb really well, but is at least initially easier to get back off the barb. I know this from when I took my pretty new fuel line setup pictured above apart to reinstall the stock lines. It's too bad that it's unsuitable for FJ use.

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Tygon fuel lines