Underseat Breather Box - What hoses?

srg5150 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 02:30 AM

For those of you running an underseat breather box - what types of hoses are you running? I've been using Napa radiator hose for almost a year and it doesn't seem to be holding up well and I can't figure out a way to stop a kink. The kink is at the uppermost chamber of the box where the mono tail is evidently pushing it down.

There's gotta be a more flexible, non-kinking, smaller outer diameter hose out there! I'd like to use silicone (Samco / SFS) type stuff but its pretty much cost prohibitive - unless you know of a generic source.

Is there a way to "form" hose outside of just age? There's gotta be as the radiator hoses take some good double bends and stay that way. The stuff I'm using now is stiff and just collapses at bends.

Thanks for any info or resources in advance!

Steve

seespotweld · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 02:43 PM

you might try using a spring inside the hose

marvin · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 02:48 PM

you can get silicone or neoprene hose from McMaster-Carr, MSC, Or most other industrial supply houses.

srg5150 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 03:50 PM

Do you know if silicone or neoprene has a better bend radius or resistance to kinking than rubber hose? How do they hold up to motor oil that gets ejected out of the crank vent?

Thanks

marvin · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 05:53 PM

Either one holds up to oil. I don't know which is less prone to kinking. You might try a spring like seespotweld suggested.

**Ducshop** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 06:36 PM

I ask to go in the back at an auto parts store and look for a long 3/4" heater hose that has a 90 degree bend near one end and cut it so you have the bend right out of the breather fitting.

Neil · #7 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 09:17 AM

Hey Steve - there's a good old fashioned fix you can use in the interim, or even long term...
Install a Jubilee clip (hose clip / clamp )over the hose at the point where the hose is kinking and tighten it a little

It's not pretty, but it works

srg5150 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Hey Steve - there's a good old fashioned fix you can use in the interim, or even long term...
Install a Jubilee clip (hose clip / clamp )over the hose at the point where the hose is kinking and tighten it a little

It's not pretty, but it works

Tried that one Neil. It worked for the few minutes after I did it to pull in the sides and alleviate the kink but after the first ride the kink just moved about a half inch down. I don't mind having one hose clamp but I don't want to end up with a half dozen of them lining the hose just chasing down a kink.

Thanks

lilacsplash · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 07:33 PM

I've tried using silicon 'Samco' style hoses in a couple of places,
although they're not ment to withstand oil, they seem to stand up quite well.
But they do kink/collapse very easily, even with the slightest bend.
However Samco sell all sorts of bends and angles (in silicon hose) along with alloy connecting tubes, which when used with 'Jubilee' type clips you can make up almost any shaped hose that you'll ever need.
You could always use cable/zip tyes to hold the joints together, they'd be out of sight and would stand the pressure of an engine breather system, you could even glue them together.

Steve Robins

Maryland998 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 09:35 PM

You could use pvc conduit. Heat it with a propane torch and it will bend. Then just use the hose to connect it on either end.

Ken.

Monster_Man · #11 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 03:43 PM

Here is this style of SAMCO hose, SportHoses.com > Race Parts > Straight Superflex=, it has wire embedded in the hose to allow you to bend it with out kinking. I have some on order, but will not have it until the end of the month.

srg5150 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 05:08 PM

$54 per meter!!! YIKES!

**NC Rick** · #13 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 02:14 PM

I used silicone hose from the source Marvin suggested. It is reinforced with cloth plies and will JUST make the bend if routed and tied down with care. The 1" hose going to the crank case is where the problem is. When I first got the bike is was set up as Mark suggested, stepped down to 3/4 and with a car coolant hose selected to fit. The coolant hose got spongy after a while because of the oil contact. A small wire dia. spring inserted inside the hose would be really cool, I just have not bothered to find one that will fit yet.

I think the full 1" dia with the correct 1" breather is more conducive to providing the supposed performance gains and is how the factory intended. The hose to the air box is 3/4" and a reversed read factory breather or the famous ford valve mounts in to the AB.

**Ducshop** · #14 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Rick

I used silicone hose from the source Marvin suggested. It is reinforced with cloth plies and will JUST make the bend if routed and tied down with care. The 1" hose going to the crank case is where the problem is. When I first got the bike is was set up as Mark suggested, stepped down to 3/4 and with a car coolant hose selected to fit. The coolant hose got spongy after a while because of the oil contact. A small wire dia. spring inserted inside the hose would be really cool, I just have not bothered to find one that will fit yet.

I think the full 1" dia with the correct 1" breather is more conducive to providing the supposed performance gains and is how the factory intended. The hose to the air box is 3/4" and a reversed read factory breather or the famous ford valve mounts in to the AB.

I meant 3/4" on just the upper hose that was getting kinked by the seat, we use 1" reinforced on the lower since it gets all the heat. The Corse hose is nothing special much like 3/4" heater hose but has a 90 degree bend as it comes out of the top of the carbon breather tank.