About to change my fuel crossover line from standard to the braided one and was hoping someone out there could give me some tips, is it necessary to drain the tank ect.

Thanks in advance.

Glen Gibson
07 Bob

 

Not to sound like a dummy, but I assume you mean the rubber hose on forward underneath part of tank going from one side to the other, hence the crossover, and not the quick disconnect line going to your pump. If so, yes, a tank drain is required. Send me a link on the braided crossover line - I haven't seen one of those yet. good luck.

If you do change it out, I can't remember who it was, but I just got done taking my tank off putting back on for handlebar swapout, and another member suggested I try the following, which worked with very minimal drippage/spillage:

you'll need a long funnel, as the crossover line isn't very long, so not much to feed into the funnel

before doing this below, try to siphon as much gas out of the tank as possible, then proceed with the following-

1.take 2 small vice grips and clamp the fuel line shut on both sides, with enough room to cut the line in the middle
2.cut the line in the middle, put a 5/16" bolt in each side to reduce risk of any leaks past the vice grips, and one side at a time release the vice grips and drain into a gas can. don't know why, but it seemed that there was more fuel remaining on the left side of the tank, so maybe try draining left side first, as it took alittle longer

sorry this isn't more thorough, but I think you get the idea, its early, and have to be off to work soon. good luck, it isn't that difficult, a dummy like me was able to do it with no problem, just time consuming letting all the fuel drain out. make sure you do it outside with plenty of ventilation, and keep open flames away of course.

one more thing, it might help to remove the aft tank mounting bolt, 1/2 in nut/bolt, and loosen the forward so you can lift the aft part of the tank up a bit to ease in the draining process, and I can't help but think that removing the gas cap will aid in the flow out through the tubes as well.

just found it - Here's the link from advice given for my tank drain:
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2872277/tm.htm

 

what lonewatie said.... easiest method, believe it or not

 

You might want to consider adding a valved quick disconnect fitting to the new line.This allows for future maintenance and/or add ons without having to drain the tank each time you want to lift it ir remove it.

 

Just don't overtighten it, the rubber o-rings will get into the threads and you will have a leak. I had one on for about a year, went back to the hose. I am going to wait til they come out with something better. Maybe just some braided material to go over the hose would be better. Just my two cents.

 

if you ever want to do a tank lift, some have had a problem with the braided being to short. just a thought. good luck with your decision and ride safe

 

When draining the tank and cutting the crossover line and replacing it what type of hose clamps do you use? I have used the screw on worm type and also the original snap on type after borrowing the correct tool. Any one have any preferences or better suggestions?

 

I had the same problem as jaystone had. Put it on and it started leaking badly the next day after some riding. Thankfully I had made it home and it started leaking there instead of on some road while I was riding. Something not very comforting about fuel spilling all over a hot engine and your legs while riding.

The instructions tell you to 'bottom out' the nut when you tighten it against the rubber bushing but the problem seems to be in that the fuel line is very stiff and puts a lot of side tension on the bushing which in my case cause the bushing to be pushed out of the back side cap nut on both sides.

Took it back to HD and replaced it with a kit from JP Cycles that had braided line and 6 connectors that worked perfectly.

Oh yeah, forgot to add that when I changed mine initially, I ran the bike down till the low fuel light came on and then just jacked up the front of the bike causing the rest of the fuel to pool to the back side of the tank. Replaced the line with no fuel loss.

 

Great idea!

 

I used 1/4 in (maybe 5/16" depending on the bike) and fuel injector line clamps I got at Pep Boys total about $7; they seem to be holding well. Less risk of leak due to pressure being more evenly applied around the diameter of the hose vs. a regular worm drive clamp.


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