busted shock hose!
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Mooresboro NC
busted shock hose!
Yesterday some buds and I were riding when I noticed my bike was bottoming out on hard bumps and just was not handling as I was expecting. I stopped to check shock pressure and discovered a split in the air tubing that runs under the seat and a crumbling area near the split. Like it was drying out from the heat. The tubing looked as though it was routed correctly and could have been a defective tube.
This tubing was difficult to find as the local HD shops did not have any and no suitable substitute was found at any auto part stores or the larger hardware stores.
A Customer at the last HD store I struck out on, pulled me aside and suggested I try Asheville Hose and Fittings. They would probably have what I needed. This place was excellent! They mic'd my old tube and sold me a replacement tube that was a near perfect. The only difference I could see was the new tubing was a little less flexible but was not a problem to route to the shock. The tubing was 30 cents a foot and I ended up buying a extra 10 feet so i can re-rout my air fitting to the tour pack.
If you would like to have spare tubing or if like me, blow a tube while riding in the North Carolina mountains give them a call.
Ashville Hose and Fittings
192 Swannanoa River Rd.
Asheville, NC
828-254-8302
The invoice list the tube part number as- "NB4X .65 black metric tubing".
Mark
This tubing was difficult to find as the local HD shops did not have any and no suitable substitute was found at any auto part stores or the larger hardware stores.
A Customer at the last HD store I struck out on, pulled me aside and suggested I try Asheville Hose and Fittings. They would probably have what I needed. This place was excellent! They mic'd my old tube and sold me a replacement tube that was a near perfect. The only difference I could see was the new tubing was a little less flexible but was not a problem to route to the shock. The tubing was 30 cents a foot and I ended up buying a extra 10 feet so i can re-rout my air fitting to the tour pack.
If you would like to have spare tubing or if like me, blow a tube while riding in the North Carolina mountains give them a call.
Ashville Hose and Fittings
192 Swannanoa River Rd.
Asheville, NC
828-254-8302
The invoice list the tube part number as- "NB4X .65 black metric tubing".
Mark
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
The part number specified does not look familiar to me so it may be specific to that company. In general pipe work which relies on the outside diameter for sealing is specified using the outside diameter - in other words all compression type pipe and quick connect pneumatic tube. The "NB" at the front of the part number seems to indicate nominal bore but that is complete speculation on my part. 0.65cm is not a standard pneumatic OD line size so I doubt that is the case, but 6.5mm is pretty damn close to 1/4" OD if not measured carefully on soft tube.
I will measure mine up next time and respond more fully, but certainly from what I have seen of the pipe work the pipe and fittings should all be readily available (and much cheaper) from a pneumatic fluid power distributor.
I am sure the guy at the trade counter was being helpful and trying his best, and there is a good chance you will be fine, but for a bit of effort and a couple of bucks I would do some research and double check.
PS - I specialise in designing hydraulic systems and own a distribution business in the UK, I know and respect the limitations of our trade counter people - as good as they are.
I will measure mine up next time and respond more fully, but certainly from what I have seen of the pipe work the pipe and fittings should all be readily available (and much cheaper) from a pneumatic fluid power distributor.
I am sure the guy at the trade counter was being helpful and trying his best, and there is a good chance you will be fine, but for a bit of effort and a couple of bucks I would do some research and double check.
PS - I specialise in designing hydraulic systems and own a distribution business in the UK, I know and respect the limitations of our trade counter people - as good as they are.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
OK, curiosity got the better of me so I googled this. It is Parker nylon tube, 4mm OD and 0.65mm wall thickness.
So, I have gone out to my bike and measured up (I have an 08 Ultra Classic) and can confirm that the guy who helped you has done well and what you have is good for the job.
I believe parker do this in all sorts of colours so if you want to had some custom to your bike...
Once again, not sure why HD have gone metric with this. I know all the brembo brake parts on my bike are also metric, but mixing and matching is not good - IMHO
So, I have gone out to my bike and measured up (I have an 08 Ultra Classic) and can confirm that the guy who helped you has done well and what you have is good for the job.
I believe parker do this in all sorts of colours so if you want to had some custom to your bike...
Once again, not sure why HD have gone metric with this. I know all the brembo brake parts on my bike are also metric, but mixing and matching is not good - IMHO
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: New Hampster!
Because most of the rest of the world (read: where the chit is made) is on the metric system ....cept for us!
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Mooresboro NC
OK, curiosity got the better of me so I googled this. It is Parker nylon tube, 4mm OD and 0.65mm wall thickness.
So, I have gone out to my bike and measured up (I have an 08 Ultra Classic) and can confirm that the guy who helped you has done well and what you have is good for the job.
I believe parker do this in all sorts of colours so if you want to had some custom to your bike...
Once again, not sure why HD have gone metric with this. I know all the brembo brake parts on my bike are also metric, but mixing and matching is not good - IMHO
So, I have gone out to my bike and measured up (I have an 08 Ultra Classic) and can confirm that the guy who helped you has done well and what you have is good for the job.
I believe parker do this in all sorts of colours so if you want to had some custom to your bike...
Once again, not sure why HD have gone metric with this. I know all the brembo brake parts on my bike are also metric, but mixing and matching is not good - IMHO
Mark
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,342
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From: Western Wisconsin
I had my HD get me 5 feet and a shock hose connector to put in my tool kit.
Had to give the connector to a buddy when he busted his, he could not figure out why I would ever have one of those.
He is the same guy that has borrow my bolt cutters that I keep in the bottom of my saddlebags TWICE!!!
Had to give the connector to a buddy when he busted his, he could not figure out why I would ever have one of those.
He is the same guy that has borrow my bolt cutters that I keep in the bottom of my saddlebags TWICE!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
Anyway, that debate is for another day. The core point I was making is that you should not mix systems and metrics on a single machine, it is not good practice - especially where it is unnecessary