T300 Fuel Line - I need Info - Thanks

Hello everybody,

I just received an email fron the guy I bought the bike from that he shipped it today with forwardair. He already sent me the keys so, today he had some troubles to drain the tank. Since he couldn't remove the seat panels and gas tank without the key he had a hell of a time draining the fuel. In the end he had to snip the primary fuel line that leads from the petcock to the first carb because you physically can't get at anything else without removing the side panel (I copied and pasted this part from his email).

So, when I get the bike I need to go there with a fuel line in my pocket. Do anybody know how long and what kind I have to buy? I looked in the shop manual but you can't find anything to see ho it is connected and what kind it is. I have some fuel line in the garage, but I would hate to get there and then not being able to fix it right away. This guy also said "The carb float bowls have also been drained. So after you replace the fuel line and then fuel up, crack each float bowl drain screw to fill them back up prior to starting." Now, English is not my first language: Does it mean the drain screw are still open? Or that I need to open them so they can fill up again and then I close 'em? Did he mean "cranck??" You might say...why don't you ask him??? You got a point there.....I'm going to send him an email. In any case it is a excuse to get acquainted in the forum.

What tools should I bring with me? It sounds like a screwdriver should be enough.

Anyway, thanks for your help. Ciao, Paolo

[crashmasterd]

Unfortunately, you have a mess here with the fuel lines. He didn't do you any favors by doing this. The best tool to take with you for this problem is a motorcycle trailer. This isn't a 5 minute fix.

You will need at least 3 feet of fuel line, (one meter) but not because the factory fuel line is that long. There are two fuel lines on a T300 Speed Triple, and both of them are difficult to route. I suggest re-routing them both to make it easier to hook them up to the fuel petcock (shutoff valve). This is not a fun job. You will probably have to remove the fuel tank to do this, but you certainly will have to remove the side bodywork. Also, take a couple of good fuel line clamps with you. The factory clamps are not very good. I think the fuel line is 5 millimeter, but I'm not sure.

Tools you will need: Metric Allen Wrench set (Hex key wrenches) for removing the bodywork. Metric sockets in case you need to remove the tank, and to remove the bodywork. Both slotted and phillips head screwdrivers just in case.

"Cracking" the float bowl drains to fill the carbs doesn't make any sense. Hopefully he put the screws back in for you once he was done draining the carburetors. If not, you'll have to find some screws to plug the holes. To re-fill the carburetors you need to switch the petcock (shutoff valve) to "Prime" and let the bike sit for ten to fifteen minutes. This should fill the float bowls.

These bikes have a vacuum operated fuel petcock, with three positions: "Run" "Reserve" and "Prime". The knob is marked, but often the words are worn off so you might not know know which is which. When the bike isn't running only the "Prime" position will flow fuel. If I remember correctly, "Prime" is when the knob is pointing to the rear of the bike and with the word "Prime" at the top. I could be wrong here as well.

Good luck. If you need any more advice just ask.

Thanks!! I am not exactly happy about what I have to do but, based on what you said it looks like the better option is to bring with me two clamps and a plastic connector, or better, several in different sizes. I'll connect back the line with this junction. About the carburator bowls: it doesn;t sound like the screws are easy to reach. I was thinking that just opening the gas should work. I am familiar with the vacum activated petcock, the Harley has the same thing. I'll fix the fuel line first then, while the bowls start getting fuel, I will fill up the oil. When i shipped my bikes I emptied the carbs by shutting the gas off and letting the engine burn what's left in the carbs, until the engine dies. They won't be completely empty maybe, but empty enough not to be a problem for shipping.

[crashmasterd]

If you are lucky that will work. As I recall the float bowl drain screws aren't too bad to reach, or at least a couple of them aren't.

Great looking bike from the pictures and description. I hope you get the issues sorted.

This was exactly the bike I really wanted when I bought my 96 Trident. The two reasons I went with the Trident were the color (British Racing Green and Cream. Perfect.) and I didn't like the low clip-ons on the Speed Triple. Otherwise they are practically identical.

Yes, I las I said in my other posting, I literally love this bike, even though I never even tried it. And, to tell you the true, wehn I tested a t-birb sport that my wife liked, I was disappointed about the engine: I expected much more torque and power. So, I don't expect this bike to impress me, but when I first sat on one it felt like they tailor made it for me: It felt perfect, very confortable. I liked the kind of bike so, well, I finally got one. I also know that you have to get use to a bike before getting used to the way it gives out power. Many engines the first times seem underpowered then you realize it iwas only your perception. It has almost 100 bhp, so it got to be powerful enough! I can't wait to have it. Thank you for the help, I appreciate it. I went back and looked on the shop manual and I noticed the emission/vapor circuit of California bikes. I hope mine doesn't have that system, but, coming from Caalifornia, I bet it does. How can you get rid of it?