Quick Disconnects (again)

[Dr. Strangelove]

Thanks for the follow-up and sorry to hear of the problem.
I feel justified carrying the two straight brass connectors in my tool kit.

Why do you think the bike was starved for fuel? Failed how?

John

[telliott]

"Starved How?"

Good question. This is a new problem with the Small Parts ones. I've seen lots of "can't get back together" but what caused the fuel to stop flowing? Was it not all the way plugged in?

[awagnon]

I feel justified carrying the two straight brass connectors in my tool kit.

Dr. Strangelove,

I picked up some straight brass connectors prior to the ride to Wisconsin. I ended up getting both 1/4 and 5/16 inch because I wasn't sure which to buy. At least they were cheap. Isn't it 5/16 inch?

[Dr. Strangelove]

yes, 5/16"

I scratched the ends of mine some with a dremel just to make a better grab.

You also need a hose pinch, ava at Pep Boys, to clamp the hose while you're attaching the straight connector--small cheap portable.

[Beemeridian]

Is the hose pinch to prevent the flow of fuel? I thought it would not flow unless the pump was running, am I mistaken there?

[challey]

Is the hose pinch to prevent the flow of fuel? I thought it would not flow unless the pump was running, am I mistaken there?

You need to pinch the return hose, which is unrestricted and will flow until the fuel in the tank drops to the level of the hose. The pump will block the fuel in the other line, though the fuel between the QD and the pump will run out.

While I appreciate the simplicity of replacing the QDs with a straight pipe, I have to say that the problems cited in this thread all seem to be related to the design of the LittleParts QD. I have not exerienced any problems with the Omegas and the standard Buna-N O-ring.

Charlie

[ProductUser]

Since I take my tank off at most twice a year, there is no need to gamble with QD's, no matter the manufacturer. Most other tasks (e.g., front shock R&R, running wires for powered tank bag...etc.) can be accomplished by raising the tank without removing the fuel lines.

The last thing I want to happen while on the road is the possibility of having fuel dripping on a hot exhaust, not to mention the discoloration it causes on the tranny and other related bits.

That's my $.02

ProductUser

[Beemeridian]

It would be ideal if there were a QD built with a fuel shutoff valve.
Or would it not be wise to put one in line with the return line?

[yjleesvrr]

I replaced my QDs with straight 3/8" copper tubing from Lowes last December. No issues since and it's about as simple of a solution as one can have.

[DJ Downunder]

I just found these nifty little gizzo's.. http://ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=1071

DJ

[JCsman]

Has anyone using straight copper tubing had an issue with leaks or is anyone worried about it coming apart? The connectors all have "barbed" ends to help hold them in the fuel line.

Good question....I'm looking for some straight pieces of tube to replace the dis-connects..but I'm looking for some tubes with those barbs on each end.

I'm sure they're out there..I have not really started looking yet..I'll let you know if I find any....There's a lot of pressure in those lines.

Some others here have just used straight tubes without any problems...but the barbed ones would give me better peace of mind.

DJ

DJ:
I've planned on the hose-pinchers in my kit and straight copper pipes for a long while. I posted about it probably a year ago - procrastination is my dominant feature.

I never gave a thought to the pipe ends. But....

As an alternate how about a pipe flaring tool. It's kind of a C-clamp looking device that allows you to force a small cone shaped piece into the end of the copper tubing. Makes a small flare in the tube (like a trumpet end, but not nearly so dramatic).
http://www.baconsdozen.co.uk/motorhome/flaring.htm
Then the hose would be clamped and, to come off the hose would have to pull the flared pipe though the clamp. I have one of the pipe flare somewhere in my stacks of tools used once in a blue moon.

Just a thought.

[reidmct]

Most vehicles fuel systems are equipped with Viton 0-rings, Buna N is a second choice on use.......Viton and Oxygenated Fuels are not a good choice.....but I'll talk more about that in another post.

I see that Omega offers their fitting with Viton:

FT-LCD170-05-VITON

But, is Viton not the right choice for gasoline in the USA?

[awagnon]

I ordered Omegas which were marked "out of stock for one week". However, they sent a notice the next day that they had been shipped to me, complete with tracking number. Also, I ordered them with Viton o-rings.

I had an OEM quick disconnect on my 2004 1150R fail last week on a ride. I'm changing them on both bikes. Why worry about it.

I'm curious. Are the metal Omega quick disconnects compatible with the plastic OEM QD's? The reason I ask, I noted my mechanic has a short piece of hose with a plastic quick disconnect on it. When he has to remove a fuel tank, he connects the short hose to the fuel line and quickly drains the fuel from the tank into a gas can. Good idea if the connectors are compatible.

[RBrider]

Good post ,jb, thank you for the info and pics.

RB

[jb44]

... a topic that won't die.

My original post was over a year ago.

About the o-rings. I believe I still have the viton ones installed. Over the past year I have removed the tank 3 or 4 times. Each time I inspected the o-rings, and they showed no sign of wear or deterioration. The connectors slid back together with no problems, and no leaks.

jb

[Maitre]

I have just purchased from Omega two sets of connectors as follows:

FT-LCD170-05-VITON
FT-LCD220-05-VITON

Omega advises that they are specially manufactured for use as fuel line connectors. They do come with their own VITON o-rings.

Maitre

[ArtieMS]

http://www.beemerboneyard.com/cpcqkdiscon.html

[SecondWind]

Heads up on the Omega Chrome Plated Brass Shutoffs. I checked with the Technical folks at Omega and to get the Viton Gas Resistant O-Rings the Part numbers for the 5/16 Straight line Dual Fuel QD's with the Shutoffs for your BMW are as follows:

Quantity Model Number Price Item Total
2 FT-LCD220-05-FKM $16.00 $32.00
2 FT-LCD170-05-FKM $26.00 $52.00

Regards;
Paul

web site http://www.omega.com/index.html