During lockdown I've decorated the whole house, landscaped the gardens and given the TDM and the Crosstourer major services. It's amazing how much spare time I have when I can't go to the pub.Anyways, in search of my next project, I dragged the old XTZ750 out from the back of the garage yesterday.It's time to fix a sticking front caliper, finish the cosmetics, give her a once over and get an MoT on here. Luckily I checked the fuel lines after turning the taps on (there are two for the saddle tank) and before turning the ignition on. As soon as I touched one, it literally disintegrated in my hands, unleaded everywhere These lines were all replaced about 3 years ago and have never given me any issues. The stuff I bought was neoprene wrapped in a black woven material. They were sold as "suitable for petrol and diesel". A bit of googling showed me they weren't at all suitable for modern fuels with Ethanol in the mix. Outside they looked fine. Inside they were rotten.
Usually, before laying up the XTZ after a bit of work, I use a stabiliser and run the engine with the taps off until the carbs drain. Thinking back, I last wheeled her out so I could use her to prove Dablik's ECU was working OK (MK1's and XTZs have a lot of common parts). Clearly I was so excited at Cliff's arrival that I forgot my usual drain down procedure. I just hope I haven't buggered anything else up. I hate working on carbs!!!
New, ethanol-safe fuel lines are on their way, hopefully that's all that needs replacing.