Using copper fuel line? and leather side covers

I have always admired the fuel system of the old triumphs. I was wondering if anyone has used copper fuel lines before. I was thinking about using a copper pipe for mine and I came across an old automotive glass bowl fuel filter that I want to tie in. I dont know how to attach it to the carbs and petcock though after I bend it into shape. I was thinking about using a short piece of rubber fuel line at each end. I was also thinking about using some leather stretched across the frame. Any interest or suggestions on any of the two would be appreciated.

 

the way the picture shows won't work for the XJ's...
since they're gravity fet, not enough fuel reaches the carbs while climbing up against gravity.

if you manage to keep the lowest part of the fuelpipe above the fuel level within the bowls (float level) there should be no problem

 

The Triumph is gravity fed also- - it will work.
Vibration is the enemy of custom fuel line set-ups.
The tank moves, the carbs move, relative to the frame, which is what you mount the filter to.
The loop in the line changes it's vibration frequency.
I've had car fires due to my fuel line creativity. I now use brand new rubber. Good luck.

 

Very cool idea. I think you should go for it.

 

you could run the fuel line all the way to the bottom of the frame and back up and it would still work, as long as the line never goes ABOVE the fuel level you are OK.

i think copper looks AWESOME.........but be prepared to keep up with polishing it, it will tarnish QUICKLY!

im not sure what you are thinking of doing with the leather...but im interested. is there a pic you could post, or maybe describe it better?

 

For the the leather Im not exactly sure. I see people making their own side covers out of metal and i think it looks better without the stock ones . I was thinking about kind of the same thing just with leather maybe cutting a shape just a bit smaller then the area between the frame where the original fit and using some thin leather lace to kind of sew the leather and the frame together. I dont have any pictures right now. Ill look around for some.
Thanks for the input.

 

As a thought - considering the vibration that is the primary enemy when using rigid metal lines, what about using braided fuel lines instead?

That way you get the benefit of a flexible synthetic fuel hose, with the nice metal outer layer - and I'm pretty sure you can get them in copper as well.

 

i think the vibes will be no problem if the hard line has a flexible coupling and the coil, im just thinking of all the hard lines on the big diesels that vibrate MUCH worse then any bike.

 

Tagged so I can follow this! I am very interested in seeing this what this looks like completed (especially with the glass fuel filter)!

 

I'd be more worried about copper thieves... they think it looks awesome, too.

 

we just had $2000 worth stolen off a job (lightning rods and cabling)......bastards!

 

Alright I appologise for taking so long but I have finally finished both the copper fuel line and the leather side covers. I will take a few more final pictures in the next couple days. It got dark when I finished so I could get and good ones.
Hope all are well
Andrew

 

SWEET! 8) I can't wait! Did you work in the glass fuel filter?

 

I like the leather side cover idea. I already fabricated my own side covers out of aluminum and painted them to match the tank. But I could always glue (Goop) some leather onto them. I have a large sheet of seat material left over out in the shop and may just have to see what it looks like with it on the side covers.
I have already thought of hard sided saddlebags with a leather cover over them. That way I wouldn't need to be so concerned about scratches or how to keep the paint shiny on them.

 

After all is done I finally get a working camera. Alright here are the pictures of the copper fuel line. I will be making a new one when I can figure out how to mount the glass filter. Also pics of my first attempt at leather side covers. My first time sewing leather. And pictures of my new intake.
Enjoy.

Copyright,
Andrew Miles Conisbee Wood
(July 15th, 2008)
All Rights Reserved.

 

VERY nice looking! I have to confess I am not understanding the point of connecting the carbs then restricting them to one pod?

 

nice!

 

I just didnt want the air box. I love the look of pods just dont want the hassle of rejetting and all that. And I wanted something to do I was bord.
Thanks for the comment.
Andrew

 

As shown rejetting was not require? Are you 3 turns out? I want to do the same thing but I was thinking about using two pods and big copper fittings instead of PVC. Do you think one is enough and two is too many?

 

Rejetting was not required for me. A couple of days ago I just drilled out the mixture screw plugs and found them all over the place and even one all the way closed, I put them at two turns since they used corse thread on 82 screws(needless to say it runs a lot better but I havent had time to play with the settings). I wanted to use copper fittings just couldnt find any arround here I saw the topic about look ma no carbs and thought it looked really nice. I used one pod because the tube it was on was about the same size as the air box opening and I think it is plenty of air moving through there. In my opinion I would say 2 would be too many without changing something but I would love to see it if you do make it send me some pics.
Thanks kciv good luck
Andrew