Fuel hose, where to find?

[Al9000]

Can anyone point me to a source of fuel hose, the thing is it needs to be thin walled with 5mm internal diameter. It's for a non BSA ( ) project, and the spigot on the carbs is located very close to the carb body itself so the standard fuel hose I have in stock (the black stuff, quite thick walled with the white reinforcing) will only just sqeeze on but then there is no way a hose clip will go on.
I've found sourcing decent fuel hose to be a minefield. I broke down on another classic bike maiden run after some I got which was specifically advertised as "unleaded fuel hose" broke down and went so soft and mushy it kinked and collapsed flat 3 miles from home and I had to be trailered back!!
Thanks

Al

[Dean]

Might be worth trying larger garden/horticultural machine suppliers.

[morris]

Good chance this one will fit;
http://www.degroot-bsa.nl/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=3370&search=hose&description=true
I use this type. It's on for about 3 years and still as new.
Give them a call or send them a mail, the phone number and mail address are on the website, they'll be happy to measure the outside diameter for you.

[bsa-bill]

I just ordered some stuff from here (including this fuel pipe), never used them before unless they trade on Ebay  so we'll see, seems they're smallish as yet as they are not vet registered so that should save 20%

http://www.sparesforclassicmotorcycles1.co.uk/14-black-reinforced-fuel-hose--sold-by-the-foot-wwptj416-463-p.asp

[The Artful Bodger]

Just as a by the by, it ain't the unleaded that kills the fuel related rubber bits but the ethanol. This stuff's a killer and it'll only get worse as and when they start upping up the percentage in the UK. Watch out for dissolving carbs, rusted out tanks and every bit of rubber distorting and rotting away. Hey it's good to be green! I regularly test the petrol I put in my bikes they're an ethanol free zone, sod the ozone layer!!
Colin

[orabanda]

Try Hitchcocks Motorcycles (Royal Enfield specialists, and Amal distributors).

As well as the hose, they have hose ends and ferrules (and affordable crimping tool), and other useful bits & pieces such as viton rubber washes (copper backed) to suit 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" petrol tap connections. The washer is like a (Dowty) bonded washer, but the copper compresses. The 3/8"size is also perfect for using in place of the fibre washer that sits under the  the gearbox  detent plunger nut (external), and also the external nut on the gearbox speedo drive.

They also have caps for fuel tanks, and the cap washer (available separately).

I also use them for Amal carbs; their service is very prompt, prices are keen, and the carb will arrive jetted to suit your bike.

Richard

[warmshed]

This ad on fleabay list their pipe with I/D and O/D measurements, so you can decide before you buy, its not reinforced so might be thin enough.

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nitrile-Rubber-Smooth-Fuel-Tube-Petrol-Diesel-Oil-Line-Hose-Pipe-Tubing-Breather-/130740225601?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=430086075662&hash=item1e70b98641

These flat clips are used on most cars and bikes and are as thin as you are likely to get 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-PCS-Fuel-Petrol-Pipe-Hose-Clips-Silicone-Clamp-Low-Pressure-Air-Spring-Type-/390831664613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item5aff61ede5

If its for old 1/4 inch ( 6mm) this one is the old type we used to use and is only 8mm O/D cheap enough to try
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRANSPARENCY-CLEAR-PETROL-FUEL-OIL-PIPE-HOSE-LINE-for-5-6mm-FITTINGS-/321497330059?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4adabbf18b

[unclerob]

It might be worth looking here, I get parts quite often from them, they are a specialist car parts company but have a lot of very useful bits!
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/fuel-system
And Colin, entirely agree with you re ethanol problems, I don't know how to put a link in but try googling 'QinetiQ report on ethanol'!!

[The Artful Bodger]

Here's the link to to the report, some frightening stuff!
http://www.realclassic.co.uk/techfiles/bioethanol_fuel_study.pdf

Colin

[Al9000]

Thanks for all the replies 

[bsa-bill]

yes I ordered 1/4 hose from the url above (sparesforclassic.............), they advise which is suitable for ethanol and which isn't, helpful.
The rubber hose I have has perished on the outside so no ethanol to blame just age I think, it was purchased from Hitchcocks and the ferules and tool, makes a tidy job right enough Richard.
could have went back to Hitchcocks for the pipe but was looking for Rocker box fixing bolts (someone purchased the wrong threaded ones    ) just finished cleaning up the thread in the head, you know the one you try before looking at the and of the stud, seem to have got away with it