Touratech Fuel Line Couplings
 

As it’s a pain getting under an R1150GS tank to reach the battery, I bought two Touratech fuel line couplings to enable me to remove the tank completely. They will also allow me to drain the tank when required or take out petrol as needed for another bike or a stove.

http://www.touratech.de/shop_uk/medi...100-0_I_01.JPG

Is anyone going to Lumb Farm in June who has fitted these and can (a) tell me, from experience, the best place to make the required cuts (b) make sure I fit them the right way round and (c) has got the right tool for installing them.

I’d appreciate any advice or help. Thanks. Stephan

They're easy to fit.

Locate them behind the black plastic cover on the right hand side.

Two fuel lines there, one is high pressure fuel from tank/fuel pump to the injectors, the other is low(er) pressure fuel returning unused fuel back to to the tank.

Before starting, ensure that you've got 4 x 1/2" or 12mm Hose / Jubilee clips to hand.

After draining as much fuel from the tank as possible, cut out a 30mm length from each of the pipes but only working on one at a time. Slide a clip on to each side prior to installing the two halves of the quick fuel disconnects. Once attached to the fuel line, tighten the clips up but don't overtighten. It does not matter what way the connector is orientated but.........

When you fit the connector to the other line, ensure that the connector is orientated the opposite way, this means that you can never get the lines crossed over, i.e. from the left, one line should be male to female and the other female to male, something like this:

http://possu.smugmug.com/photos/37080729-M.jpg

Smear a little grease on the O'rings prior to connection and repeat every time you disconnect/re-connect them, stops them perishing & then leaking fuel - worth carrying a couple of spares.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the advice Steve. The location sounds sensible.
Are you saying use Jubilee clips as well as the Touratech clips as a back-up or have I misunderstood something?
Stephan

Just use the Jubilee clips instead of whatever is supplied as you'll need a crimper of some sort. In addition, the Jubilee clips are reusable.

Note that the plastic bodies of the couplings are quite brittle, you wouldn't be the first person to break or snap one.

OK, thanks, Steve. I wasn’t sure because in your photo it looks like there’s a jubilee clip on the left and a crimped ring on the right.

What is the name of the tool that crimps those odd-shaped rings? I’m wondering why Touratech supply them rather than jubilee clips? Are they more reliable in terms of not leaking?

Hose clamps
 

The hose clamps supplied with the QD fittings are called two ear hose clamps. The tool to fit them is just a pair of pincers (like you'd use to pull out nails etc). It's usually better if you squeeze both ears together, equally. I think worm drive hose clips are better as they're reusable. I've also found the QD connectors crack and become very brittle over about 3 years, especially if exposed to sunshine.

That's how mine came on the bike, already fitted, this is why I recommended that you buy four new jubilee clips in advance....

Anyone running a 30 litre Adventure tank may find the following useful:

If you're tired of pulling the crossover fuel pipe through & then having to wiggle it back across the top of the engine when removing & refitting the tank, simply cut the crossover pipe on the left hand side & install anotheer 90 degree quick fuel disconnect. This allows you leave the crossover in place forever, speeds up tank removal etc & will allow you to do so in the dark as you'll only need to disconnect the fuel couplings. Worth the expense IMHO, proud to say that I thought of this one myself:

http://possu.smugmug.com/photos/58676113-M.jpg

Something to add to your spares kit......o-rings !

Its *very* easy to trash the o-ring seal in these quick disconnects & I've got through loads of them.

If the metal lock is not completely out of the way when you connect/disconnect the line it damages the seal & you'll find the bike standing in a puddle of fuel.

Thanks for the tip. Where would I buy O rings? I can only think of a diving (sub-aqua) shop.

O-rings are used in lots of things so they're not too hard to find. Try a bike/car workshop, I found some for a jet ski.

At a similar price and slightly different packaging you can get exactly the same hose coupling at Halfords.

Note that there are similar but slightly cheaper products that only have a shut-off on one side of the coupling instead of both.

For a R1150GS, can someone tell me whether I need:

QD coupling for fuel line 8 mm (TT part no 01-100-0106-0 or

QD coupling 2-way 8 mm (TT part no 01-100-0108-0) ?

I had the tank off to do one of those '5 minute jobs' and the male end of one of the fuel couplings (mine look same as these TT couplings) decided to break off.

I know I need two of these for a R11xxGS (I'll replace both though as they're obviously past their best) but 2-way or not 2-way? That is the question! I'm guessing that its the 2-way though as I think both ends seal when removed.

Also, the seals- anyone know where to get spares?

Cheers

Mike

Just buy the BMW parts, they fit, come with a 2 year warranty & seal both sides. You could spend ages trying to source alternatives that cost slightly less.

BMW will also supply spare o'rings or you could try a Bearing specialist for a match. Remember to grease the o'rings every time you reconnect them.

O-rings
 

Hi,
We're going on a trip shortly & decided to stick with the BMW couplings & bought a spare. As far as O-rings go, the BMW dealer was able to supply spares for a couple of bucks so hardly worth (in my opinion) the time &/or hassle searching around for alternatives that may or may not be exactly right only to save an insignificant amount of money.
Cheers

With hindsight, I'd have gone to the Beemer shop as nearly 2 weeks on, I'm still waiting for the TT delivery! I even emailed them on sunday to find out when they would sent the parts out but so far haven't bothered emailing me back.

Ended up getting a spare coupling from Halfords as you can't not ride your bike in this weather!

TT Delivery
 

TT delivery and general customer service (at least the UK end) leaves a lot to be desired. Long waits for deliveries and/or replies to e-mails are common in my experience.

As they had come down from Wales to be at the Lumb Farm meeting this June, I asked if i could order a small part and was advised to send an e-mail!

I went over to metal ones. TT and other plastic ones get worn (even if you don't use them often) in 2 to 3 years, you can't connect them anymore, the plastic just deforms. After mine got worn it got really nasty, fingers get hurt badly and you need some serious hardware to connect/disconnect them in the end of their lifespan. I hear many complain about the same problem.

I got these metal ones for the same price from a local hydraulics shop, lot of disel car and truck users use them altough they're made for gas (propan etc) systems mainly:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/attachm...id=47254&stc=1

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/attachm...id=47255&stc=1

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/attachm...id=47256&stc=1

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/attachm...id=47257&stc=1

They work considerably smoother, connect/disconnect. I have about 10K ridden with them, from cold to very hot weather: no leaks. Let's see how they are after few years and what type of seals they require (haven't opened them to see the seals yet - no need). So far they've proven to be much better than the plastic ones.

Hope this helps, Margus

Those metal ones do look the business.

BTW I'm still waiting for the couplnigs though I have (at my repeated request) been sent at least some of my order.

I was told by someone that the TT UK delays are due to the fact that they need to wait until they have a order worth £xxxx until they get anything sent from Germany.

If anyone knows where to get these metal QD fuel couplings, I'd be v keen to find out!

Latest TT estimate for my spare QD coupling /seals- Mid-late sept.
I suppose I did only order mid July.

Still my bike ships to BA on 25th Sept so no major rush then...!

Touratech taking the p*ss!
 

Mike,
I'd cancel your order mate, you've every right to at this stage. These days I just pull the rubber hose off the inline fuel filter, it works fine. I carry a short length of fuel pipe in case the current bit gets worn/loose from repeatedly being pulled off the filter. Exponentially cheaper than the twenty notes those TT things cost ;)
(Always checking the pennies!)
Matt

Yep, good advice, unfortunately I had already cancelled due to the delay but then re-ordered as I really need a spare plus the o-ring seals which just added to the already tedious delay. I've got some fuel line which I'll take anyway.

I don't fly out myself till the 24th Oct so surely to God they can get something sent to me before then!

After just over two months of waiting, I ended up just cancelling my TT order as the bike leaves for Buenos Aires next week and I got all the necessary spare parts plus a few others bits and pieces via a very bizzare and quirky thing called 'Next-day delivery' from a company caled James Shelock www.james-sherlock.co.uk

Hey, maybe this funny 'next-day delivery' thing will even catch on...

Url
 

Mike, your hyperlink has included the bracket. This should work:
www.james-sherlock.co.uk
Stephan

Cheers Stephan- just sorted it.