Aftermarket fuel T and fuel rails

[OldVet66]

Does anyone have any experience with the fuel T and Fuel rails from Z1 for VM carburetors? I just installed a set and they don't seem to fit properly and leak. I lubed the O-rings. There is a gap on both rails and T of about 1/8" inch on each side. Wrong parts perhaps?

[allojohn]

Does anyone have any experience with the fuel T and Fuel rails from Z1 for VM carburetors? I just installed a set and they don't seem to fit properly and leak. I lubed the O-rings. There is a gap on both rails and T of about 1/8" inch on each side. Wrong parts perhaps?

I installed a set this year but found the o-rings were too large. Fortunately, I had ordered an o-ring set from Mr Barr and he includes o-rings for the fuel rail which fit perfectly.

Edit: I bought parts #ZSM05-1009 and #ZSM05-1010

[OldVet66]

Does yours have a gap or do the surfaces mate as it did with the old T and rails.

[allojohn]

Does yours have a gap or do the surfaces mate as it did with the old T and rails.

No gap at all, all surfaces mate up perfectly. According to Z1 the 750 & the 1000 are the same. I'll have a look to see exactly what I ordered from them.

[allojohn]

Yep, those part #s are the same as I ordered in February.

[azr]

I've used a set on one of my VM carbs with no problems.

[OldVet66]

Those are the part numbers I ordered. I'll measure them against the stock T and rails when I get them out. If they match I'll see if I can get replacement O-rings from Robert Barr. Thanks for the information.

[jeff.saunders]

The o-rings are sized perfectly for the parts. If you use the wrong size you run the risk of problems down the road. There are several things to consider.

1) Make sure the fuel fitting bore in the carb is cleaned thoroughly - use a small hone or a scotchbrite pad to clean this surface. Corrosion / crud can cause a rough surface. Put a small chamfer on the outside edge of the bore if it's sharp.
2) Use a light lube or grease on the o-rings when assembling.
3) Don't use a hammer or a vise to install them - you have to work them in with a little bit of a circular and side-to-side motion. They are tight and are meant to be tight...

If you have VM29's on the bike, they use a larger diameter part.

[slyone]

I used zsm05-1009 & 10 on my 79' GS850 w/VM carbs which worked great! I had tried using the old plastic one's but then again..I'm a hardhead sometimes The new aluminum one's from Z1 are so much better.

[OldVet66]

It turns out the "T" was leaking where barb was pressed into the center rail. I am sending it back to Z1 for inspection.

[JonnyC]

It turns out the "T" was leaking where barb was pressed into the center rail. I am sending it back to Z1 for inspection.

That's scary. I just came here to see if there was a source for the fuel inlet "T" as I noticed mine is a bit weathered while rebuilding my carbs. I would hate to spend $17 on something that might leak. Maybe I'll just use the existing one.

[OldVet66]

They have sold over 400 sets with few complaints. Hopefully mine was a fluke, unless quality control has gone down hill at the manufacturing end.

[JonnyC]

Looks as though the tee for my '83 GS650 BS32SS carbs is different than the one Z1 sells. Mine measures 40mm. It looks like Belgrade, Montana might make one that fits though. I messaged him on Ebay.

[OldVet66]

I received my replacement fuel "T" today. Z1 is checking inventory in an attempt to eliminate the problem or determine what happened. They stand behind what they sell, so hopefully no one else will get another faulty part.

[jeff.saunders]

We are working with the manufacturer to find out why a few bad ones slipped through. We've sold thousands for their T's and Fuel rails, and only in this recent batch have we experienced any issues. For the time being, we've put all the T's through a pressure test to make sure they don't leak.