Fuel disconnect . . .

[qfman]

Now you get to join the rest of us with yellow engines from fuel running down the sides...... Tried everything - couldn't clean it off.

Now I just call it character...

Tom

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~lonergans/

[Arbreacames]

If your bike is a few years old and you have taken the tank off a few times, I would consider replacing the quick connects

If you had replied a bit faster, you could be claiming "I told you so." But your post comes one month too late. A day after my message, as I was completing my ABS bleed I tried to reconnect the fuel line couplers and, of course, one broke. I got the white McMasters. I also have a ton of spare Buna-N o-rings, so if anybody needs a few, send me PM and I can send you some.

[challey]

This may be silly question but, is there any difference between the QDs from Smallparts vs those from Omega other than the chrome plating? From what's been posted, it looks like folks don't really have a preference.

Replacing the stock QDs is my next weekend project - all the postings about the unexpected failures have me nervous.

[yjleesvrr]

If your QD's fail you can replace them with a short piece of steel, brass or copper tubing of the appropriate size.

Thanks cc. I'll probably do that in the interim. Do you have any recommendations as to what diameter tubing I should buy?

[cc]

If your QD's fail you can replace them with a short piece of steel, brass or copper tubing of the appropriate size.

Thanks cc. I'll probably do that in the interim. Do you have any recommendations as to what diameter tubing I should buy?

The fuel line is 8mm so I used some 5/16ths O.D. tubing. Copper is available at hardware stores, steel at your auto parts store.

[cc]

This may be silly question but, is there any difference between the QDs from Smallparts vs those from Omega other than the chrome plating?

The o-rings on the Small Parts units are internal to the female end and are therefore not easily replaceable as it appears to me. I think there may be photos over on Adventure Rider.

Of course for the price difference you could buy two extra female ends and swap them out every time you break the connection, thereby allowing the o-rings to recover.

[yjleesvrr]

Charlie - thanks again for the info. I'll probably opt for the copper tube for now and go with the metal QDs in the spring.

[popgazer]

If your QD's fail you can replace them with a short piece of steel, brass or copper tubing of the appropriate size.

Thanks cc. I'll probably do that in the interim. Do you have any recommendations as to what diameter tubing I should buy?

The fuel line is 8mm so I used some 5/16ths O.D. tubing. Copper is available at hardware stores, steel at your auto parts store.

Look in the plumbing dept. You should find 3", 1/4" OD straight braded connector ~$0.75. Worked perfectly for me.

[marecycling]

Just a quick note about o-ring composition. If you ride in Massachusetts as I do, then your gasoline is 10% ethanol. You want a quick disconnect that is Buna-N as opposed to Viton, due to its superior resistance to deterioration from ethanol. The Omega disconnects are fitted with the Buna-N o-ring. I would also assume that since the o-ring fitted to the Omega disconnects is mounted to the male end of fitting that it would be much easier to replace if damaged.

[yjleesvrr]

Most metro areas seem to have shifted to gasohol. And they charge more for this crap. Most of Virginia carries real gasoline for $2.09 for regular. In Northern Virginia, most gas stations charge $2.19 for gasohol.

Gasohol doesn't last as long as regular gas. A friend of mine who runs a motorcycle shop says that regular gas stays stable twice as long.