Fuel line clamp replacement

[bum-bull BMW]

I will be switching out the battery in my 2002 R1150 shortly, and thought I read a post somewhere regarding certain year R's were prone to fuel line leaks, due to faulty clamps. I will be pulling tank anyway, to install new battery. Thought if my bike is one of the years which are likely to develop this problem, it might be a good time to do the clamps also. Does anyone have the skinny on this problem, which clamps are involved, or anything else regarding this issue. My R has 4500 miles on the clock.
Thank you,
Bum

[arkline]

An '02 1150R is definitely a candidate. I was sent a recall notice some long time ago regarding having the dealer check and tighten the clamps. Notice I did not say replace. If you've got the tank off anyway, there should be little hassle in putting on some more functional clamps.

[Dallara]

I have a 2002 R1150R, and my friggin' clamps leaked, damn near starting a fire and permanently staining the gearbox housing. The fuel clamps on system side (as opposed to the tank side) of the quick disconnects and the ones that are on the lines that go into the airbox to head to the fuel rails and pressure regulator are the culprits. From the factory they are cheap, flimsy, cheesey crimp clamps that no one in their right mind would use on a critical fuel injection line. Why BMW did is a mystery to me.

Anyway, replacing them is a snap, and I suggest you use good quality stainless-steel proper fuel injection clamps. These are available at any decent auto parts store. Just ask for "fuel injection clamps" and they will lead you right to 'em. They are so friggin' cheap (I think I paid $2.40 for four) that I doubled 'em up everywhere. I even used some up under the tank where the lines attach to the pump and the return.

They are easy and quick to install, but care must be taken with tightening them, especially on the fragile plastic fuel lines that lead into the airbox area, as some people have overtightened them and crushed those lines. You also have to exhibit a bit of care when tightening the ones on the quick disconnects, as the quick disconnects are plastic, too, and some have overtightened the new clamps there and craked the disconnects. Just go slow and steady on the tightening and get them good and snug. Don't hamfist them to get 'em super tight.

All total I spent about $10 and now I never have to worry about setting myself on fire ever again!

Hope this helps, but if you have any other questions just ask away!

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara - NACD)