Best Fuel Line

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SierrasCafe530

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My husband and I are debating on what type of line to put on my Commando. He says that braided stainless is best, but it looks to show room for me. I like the clear or black. Can we comprise? My oil line is braided black line. Where can I find a 850 Commando set up that comes with the T's ect. Is there better? Someone help!...
 
SierrasCafe530 said:
My husband and I are debating on what type of line to put on my Commando. He says that braided stainless is best, but it looks to show room for me. I like the clear or black. Can we comprise? My oil line is braided black line. Where can I find a 850 Commando set up that comes with the T's ect. Is there better? Someone help!...
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I prefer Tygon, but it's yellow. Sue me. So try this. They also have ss braided for a few bucks more. Which, flashy or not, I'd prefer over plain hose.

http://www.commandospecialties.com/Prod ... ProdID=177

Best Fuel Line
 
Used to use the laminated armoured clear tube , woven reinforceing . People had a thing about " FIRE " .

Used for oil lines too ,marine supplies for it . bar the Hi Temp rocker feed , NYLON - not Plastic .
 
I use Tygon as well, just has a tendency to kink if runs to and from carb aren't the correct length though Easy to fit over original barbs of Amal 'T's with a bit of warming with your hair dryer(heatgun)
Regards Mike
Best Fuel Line

Best Fuel Line
 
Tygon or just the clear vinyl stuff from the local hardware store (dirt cheap), either way they both end up getting stiff and brittle.
One thing for sure it'll be a cold day in hell before I pay 50 to 85 dollars (us) for one of those prefabbed fuel line set ups from the Ebay stores.

GB
 
geo46er said:
Tygon or just the clear vinyl stuff from the local hardware store (dirt cheap), either way they both end up getting stiff and brittle.
One thing for sure it'll be a cold day in hell before I pay 50 to 85 dollars (us) for one of those prefabbed fuel line set ups from the Ebay stores.

GB
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Agreed... Way over priced.
 
Have to agree with geo46er, although it needs a bit of clarification.
I work with Tygon in the oil industry, we use it . keep it oil filled permanently and it gets hot in the tropical sun and cold at 3000m underwater, it olny goes brittle after about 10 years in the hot direct sunlight, so you will be safe to run it for some years. If it as tight fit over the barbs it will work and not leak without clips, but fit clips none the less. Haven't come across the black as yet as we need to be able view the oil level inside.
Jim can you send me a couple of metres of the black with the next crankcase breather?
Regards Mike
 
You can buy the thick clear tube and even the ferrules from good brit bike shops, I make up my own lines, costs about $20 for the materials, to crimp the ferrules, I use a nut, 3/8 unf from memory, cut it in two, and with the aid of a vice you have your very own crimp set up. Just make sure you get the line between the carbs the right lenght.

Will look just like a bought one, and original. Handy to you can see the fuel when you tickle up the carbs.

Cheers Richard
 
Actually, my local parts guy and Commando expert told me to get some boiling water, heat up / soften the hard old tubing in those stock fittings, then just pull it apart. Once done I used them as a pattern and cut some new tubing that he had provided, softened those up in said hot water, slipped it all together. No need to uncrimp, buy new, etc. etc. The old ferules slipped over the tubing and slipped right on the barbs with moderate effort. Just an easy job using all the original bits and can be redone as often as needed. Still on there some 3 years later.
 
I agree with stockie. Old Britts has the clear line, ferrules, and fittings if you need them. If you have the old fittings, you can make up a line for about $20. I used a tube flaring tool to crimp the ferrules, but a cut nut will work too.

Dave
69S
 
Brooking 850 said:
Have to agree with geo46er, although it needs a bit of clarification.
I work with Tygon in the oil industry, we use it . keep it oil filled permanently and it gets hot in the tropical sun and cold at 3000m underwater, it olny goes brittle after about 10 years in the hot direct sunlight, so you will be safe to run it for some years. If it as tight fit over the barbs it will work and not leak without clips, but fit clips none the less. Haven't come across the black as yet as we need to be able view the oil level inside.
Jim can you send me a couple of metres of the black with the next crankcase breather?
Regards Mike
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Mike,
It's available here and other places: http://www.power-barn.com/servlet/the-1 ... uel/Detail

If I have some more by the time I ship your breather I can send some.

It's also available in clear or gray here: http://www.sudco.com/fuel.html#tygon

Jim
 
geo46er said:
Tygon or just the clear vinyl stuff from the local hardware store (dirt cheap), either way they both end up getting stiff and brittle.
One thing for sure it'll be a cold day in hell before I pay 50 to 85 dollars (us) for one of those prefabbed fuel line set ups from the Ebay stores.

GB
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The cost of the prefabbed fuel lines isn't in the tubing, it's the fittings. Cost out the price of the fittings sometime.

As for Tygon, I've yet to see it get stiff or brittle yet.
 
Yes, I agree and I see the kinks in both photos. This will prove problematic in time.
I think any good line will work if routed properly.
Brooking 850 said:
I use Tygon as well, just has a tendency to kink
Best Fuel Line

Best Fuel Line
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....that yellow might be alright on a lawn mower but you need clear for a Norton. You can buy 100ft rolls of clear 1/4 X 3/8 O.D. Tycothane tubing from Aircraft Spruce stock# EMO2017. Just split a box with someone on here and you will have a good stash. Now get that yellow out of my face couph.
 
I guess the yellow would be ok if you have a yellow bike! :p

I've been using some fuel line that I buy from denniskirk.com. I think it's sold by Parts Unlimited. It's translucent blue and does not get hard or brittle with use. I bought new dual-outlet banjos and got rid of the crossover line. OldBritts sells the petcock fittings or you can reuse the old ones. No hose clamps or ferrules needed. Good stuff! It does turn green eventually from the fuel, but I'm ok with that.

Debby
 
I am using the direct replacement UK made clear fuel line. It is very thick and unlikely to kink. The tygon stuff is great, but if you are using it in a custom application, i.e. non-amals, it can kink easier than the clear thick walled british line.

I also used a 3/8 inch brass tee from the hardware store to make a standard "h" configuration. I had to dip the ends of the fuel line into boiling water to be able to be able to stretch the lines over the "T".


Best Fuel Line
 
I have the yellow Tygon 440 hose that has been in use for 10+ years. It is still as soft [and ugly] as the day it was installed.
The gray Tygon hose from Motion Pro stiffens up in 2 or 3 years but it outlives any of the urethane hoses I have used. The jury is still out on the black and clear Tygon hoses but I doubt they will last as long as the ugly yellow stuff. Jim
 
debby said:
I guess the yellow would be ok if you have a yellow bike! :p

I've been using some fuel line that I buy from denniskirk.com. I think it's sold by Parts Unlimited. It's translucent blue and does not get hard or brittle with use. I bought new dual-outlet banjos and got rid of the crossover line. OldBritts sells the petcock fittings or you can reuse the old ones. No hose clamps or ferrules needed. Good stuff! It does turn green eventually from the fuel, but I'm ok with that.

Debby
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The blue stuff from Dennis Kirk is urethane hose. It is what I normally use and it is on my bike. It's also available in light pink. It's a good deal for the price. However if you need to remove it from the fitting after a year or so you usually need to replace it as it shrinks and gets pretty hard. Jim
 
My 2¢, I had no qualms shelling out the $ for clear set of norvil lines of ebay. Bolts right on with great fittings and perfect length and went right on my dual carb set up. Looks good too. You have to go clear, because half electrical problems are fuel related :D
 
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