Buell XB fuel line disconnect.

[TPEHAK]

OK, I have removed the clip from the fitting, nothing difficult. So basically I need part number for this clip, or just another same fitting I can take clip off. I do not think I need to buy full fuel line assembly just to take the clip.

It looks like the fitting company name is NORMA, the fitting size 5/16 on metal tube side (on clip side). The clip has mark 5/16-8. Anyone familiar with this stuff?

 

[user_deleted]

do you use some sort of moisturizer during the colder months of the year? traditionally as the weather cools off here on the east coast i start to struggle with rough, chafed cracking skin on my hands.....and the Queen Bee finds it quite annoying when i pet her. your skin looks quite smooth and soft so thought i'd inquire. thank you.

 

[Outlaw]

It does look well moisturized. As to the fitting issue.... let's fire up that readily available, handy ,magic CNC cutter thingy and make us some billet fuel line ends for some performance fuel lines.

 

[njloco]

As someone once stated, " Sometimes time costs more than the right stuff." Buy the darn fuel line ! When you purchase parts, you help the economy, which in turn, keeps the businesses in business that support your passion, which is, riding bikes.

 

[TPEHAK]

It looks like there is no replacing for this part anymore.

You can buy 5/16 nylon tube and new 5/16 Dorman fuel line fitting for a few dollars and assemble a new fuel line for Buell and have a bunch of spare retaining clips for Dorman fitting in case you will have broken one instead of buying new original fuel line which costs more than a few dollars and you can not find it in a local autoparts store and there in no replacing parts for this retaining clip anymore. I would do this if I would need whole fuel line assembly.

If I will not be able to find retaining clip I will probably just install the broken one back for now, it looks like it is still able to hold the tube with one tab. Or maybe just glue the broken tab back.

 

[rchuff]

TEABAG you are really an IDIOT !!! Download a f---ing manual and stop posting stupid sh-t that you break. Know wonder your bike doesn't run right. OMG!!!! Do us all a favor and crush your bike because NO one would want to buy that mess.

 

[Cooter]

I will probably just install the broken one back for now, it looks like it is still able to hold the tube with one tab. Or maybe just glue the broken tab back.

Please do NOT do this. That part seals a highly flammable liquid, under pressure, in a hot, sparky, environment that you are straddling with your body. What could possibly go wrong?!?

I know we poke good fun at each other, I respect your skill set and it's always an interesting read, but good natured fun stops when you post something that far past reasonable.

Do NOT do that, replace the whole line, no glue will fix it, replace the whole line, do not re-install the one you KNOW IS COMPROMISED, do not start or ride this bike until you replace the whole fuel line that you broke. Pretty please, or the next pic you post will be of 3rd degree burns on your taint and a smoking hulk of plastic and metal.

 

[TPEHAK]

TEABAG you are really an IDIOT !!! Download a f---ing manual and stop posting stupid sh-t that you break. Know wonder your bike doesn't run right. OMG!!!! Do us all a favor and crush your bike because NO one would want to buy that mess.

I'm not sure how downloaded manual can help to fix the retaining clip. There is no such information in the service manual about it. I also have not found part number for this fitting in the manual. What manual are you talking about? Do you know the part number for the clip?

 

[TPEHAK]

I broke just the retaining clip, not the fuel line and not the fitting. Retaining clip is easily detachable. I know how to detach the fuel line fitting from throttle body and I did it a lot of times before, but last night I accidentally pulled the retaining clip tab opposite direction because of for some reason I was sure this is the right direction and has cracked it, you don't need too much force to brake the tab if you will pull it opposite direction. I ordered used fuel line on Ebay, I will just take retaining clip from there. I will also try the clips from Autozone since it will take some time until I will have the fuel line here. I also noticed the opposite side tap has slightly cracked too in this place, but I did not pull that tab opposite direction. It looks like when you squeeze and pull the tabs multiple times they maintain crack in the corner, so these clips are pretty weak, I am surprised there is no spare clips for this parts.

 

[TPEHAK]

Woohoo! I have fixed it!

First of all the 5/16 fitting clip from Autozone does not fit, it has bigger ring diameter and shorted distance from clip latching edge and the ring which pushes the fitting o-ring inside the fitting and keeps it there. You also can not simply modify the clip from Autozone to fit it in the fitting, it will cut clip support structure.

Here is original 2009 Buell XB12Scg fuel fitting clip vs Dormain 5/16 clip

 

[TPEHAK]

Now how I fixed it. If you have broken the clip tab do not use glue to place it back, it will not hold strong enough. You need to weld it back.

I used very thin tip soldering iron and helper handle tool to weld the tab back on the clip. I tack weld it in a few spots and then carefully worked all way around the crack. Try to not disturb tab geometry.

Now this tab feels even stronger than the tab on opposite side of the clip. Installed the clip back in the fitting. Now the clip works like new!

Actually glue might work too, because of the clip does not load that spot where the tab is attached to the clip, the tab works like wedge between fitting housing and throttle body nozzle and absolutely does not load that area. But to be on the safe side just weld it back using fine tip soldering iron.


And finally, no one here provided clear answer about correct way to disengage this style fitting from throttle body nozzle, even service manual does not give this answer. Here is correct way to do it:

1. Push the fitting toward the throttle body nozzle all way in to release retaining clip tabs wedges.
2. Squeeze the fitting tabs by two fingers and pull the fitting out of the nozzle holding the tabs and slightly wiggling and twisting the fitting.
3. Done!

 

[rchuff]

Sweet looking hands!!! Will see how long that holds under pressure.

 

[TPEHAK]

Sweet looking hands!!! Will see how long that holds under pressure.

Fist of all the place I have repaired does not hold the fitting at all, it just supports the tab from falling down under gravity force.

Next, the force on the fitting is very small. Here is some math for those who can not imagine that big pressure is not necessary big force.

Maximal fuel pressure P=352 kPa=0.035894 kgF/mm2

Fuel line internal diameter is D=7.93mm

Fuel line internal diameter section area A=3.14*D*D/4=3.14*7.93*7.93/4=49.36mm2

Fitting pressure pushing force F=P*A=0.035894*49.36=1.77 kgF or 3.9 pounds.

It is like nothing for this clip. I already tested the fitting pulling it like 20 pound force by hand which is 5 times bigger than it will actually hold. The fuel line will be blown before the retaining clip will be sheared.

Friction force between fitting o-ring and the fuel rail nozzle is bigger than fuel pressure can generate, the fitting will stay in place even without any retaining ring just because of friction force.

 

[wickedchop]

Here's what I believe is gonna happen. TPEHAK is gonna fix his bike and go to the bar and get tuned up a lil, he will then start scribbling a rendering of a fully automatic high powered rifle of sorts on a bar napkin, he will then CAD design it, print out a 3D life size model of said weapon, go to the Bridgeport and mill it and shoot all of you that break his balls! Lmfao!!!!!!

 

[njloco]

Actually, in the link mentioned above, it explains exactly how to disconnect it and, it's without breaking it. If it holds, good repair.

 

[TPEHAK]

Even the retaining clip will be completely unable to hold the load the fuel line fitting will not be able to disengage from the throttle body nozzle because of it is resting on the PCV valve. I have to unscrew the throttle body first in order to be able to disconnect the fuel line. I'm not sure if is it safety feature on purpose or it is disadvantage of Buell design so you have to do extra work to disconnect the fuel line.

 

[rchuff]

Cheers Wally!!!

 

[TPEHAK]

Removed the broken clip and installed the good clip from the used fuel line I bought on ebay