Hitchcocks Forum

The C5 service guide calls for the replacement of the fuel line, the rubber inlet manifold and the injector body to air filter hose at 12,000km (7,500 miles). I have inspected mine very thoroughly and there are no cracks or signs of deterioration so I'm inclined to leave them alone for a while - any thoughts and suggestions on this?

if it ain't broke... don't fix it. If it ain't leaking air, don't fix it. However, it might be an idea to replace the fuel line - 2 minute job and piece of mind. I have had mine spring a leak twice due to being exposed to the elements. I should have replaced them before the leak happened, obviously...

I'd be tempted to fit a quality piece of fuel line and wrap it to protect against UV degradation - the piece under my car bonnet has been there 10 years exposed to heat and grease - but not much UV and still looks better than the 6mth old OEM rubber on my Enfield

The replacement items at 12,000km which could be annual, are fuel hose, air inlet duct and inlet manifold (and air filter), it coincides with oil and oil-filter change. The 'rubber' items are synthetic, properly called plastics and are oil, fuel and solvent proof, and UV stabilised. The fuel line is a length of cheap fuel hose. The other items are mouldings. There's, "if it ain't bust, fix it until it is" or inspect and replace as required.

I expect tyres made of similar stuff to last longer than a year so I would replace as required once the 2y warranty is up; I do my own maintenance but my dealer's mechanic will probably do full service until at least then and probably through first MoT.

ric - I've inspected the oem fuel hose, it is the good UV stabilised stuff, no need to replace or wrap. Under the bonnet cars get very hot which accelerates ageing of plastics, so car fuel hoses should be replaced occasionally too, probably more often than on the bike. I suspect the 'replace it on service' comes from India where they're a bit shaky on maintenance.

I'll replace mine when I think it needs it or when I have the tank off for some other purpose. It's easy enough to inspect the hose. Having owned and serviced BMW oilheads for many years I have a supply of good quality high pressure fuel hose that is suitable not only for external use but also use inside the fuel tank (not relevant on the RE I know). On those bikes after a few years the internal hoses can develop small splits that play havoc with fuel pressure. The replacement intervals of the external fuel lines on those bikes is at a high mileage and/or age. The line fitted to the RE can't be much good if it needs replacing at the low mileage specified.

A lot of the 'good' synthetic rubber (plastics) products we use on top end stuff, comes from India; Bhophal and all that. The o's on the RE is the good thick walled fuel hose stuff - replace as required. The Jubilee clip on the tank end is a bit cheap and nasty but the hose is a nice tight push fit on the pipe.

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think I will leave well alone until I see any signs of deterioration. The fuel line is still good - I only run on Esso Supreme 97RON which is bio-ethanol E0 at the moment but of course as the bike is secondhand I don't know what Supermarket 'pool' petrol has been in it with previous owners.

Nigel - this is on your red C5? - it is a modern build with modern hoses that are proof against ethanol.

jefrs - Yes, my 2011 C5 but I still won't run bio-ethanol petrol in it if I can help it. The tank interior has already started to deteriorate and I've had to strip a section just under the filler which was flaking. I can't be certain that it is bio E which has done this as I don't have enough scientific knowledge to prove it but I can't think of anything else that might have caused it.