Motorcycle engines use fuel lines usually made from 1/4-inch rubber hose to carry the fuel from the petcock to the carburetor. This hose is made of flexible, black rubber and is prone to various types of wear over time. Direct sunlight will degrade, stiffen and crack the rubber. Extreme cold can stiffen the hose, making it vulnerable to engine and road vibration. Dry rot can also affect the hose. Any of these conditions can cause the hose to fail and begin to leak, dripping fuel down onto the hot engine and blowing back along the bike. This poses a significant fire hazard and must be remedied.
Turn off the fuel petcock. Remove the clamps from both ends of the fuel hose with a screwdriver for screw-type hose clamps or pliers for spring-type hose clamps.
Remove the fuel hose from the petcock and the carburetor by hand. Split the hose at the ends where they lap over the nipples to remove the hose if it is stuck or stubborn or the nipple is barbed.
Cut the new fuel hose to length using the old one as a guide. Slip the hose clamps loosely onto the hose. Push the hose onto the petcock and carburetor nipples.
Reinstall the hose clamps and tighten the screw-type clamp firmly. Turn the fuel petcock back on.
