Oil Sight Tube Replacement

So mine started leaking and there would be a small palm sized stain on the ground whenever I parked for a while. I bought some R/C fuel line off Amazon and it came in today. I couldn't get the line off the fittings, so I ended up cutting it off. The R/C line had the right outside diameter but the inside diameter was too small. I grabbed some tubing that I used for brake bleeding which fit pretty snuggly. I started up the bike, held the RPM's around cruising and watched the tube. Oil went through, no leaks. So...

Would I be okay with just some random brake bleed tubing, or do I run the risk of it popping off while riding or eventually deteriorating from the heat?

Just go to your local mower shop and get a bit of Tygon tubing used for fuel line on power equipment. I forget what size I got, but it fit perfect and got a foot for a couple of bucks. It is impervious to gas and oil and very flexible. It installs easily with the fittings in place, just lean the bike against the wall a few degrees to keep it from dripping during the swap. Install the bottom first in case of a drip. It fits nice and snug and didn't leak, but I used a couple of tiny zip ties for hose clamps just in case. Mine has been on for over a year now and looks the same as it did the day I put it on. I keep another piece in my tool kit just in case.

I went out last night and went about 50 miles with it. Checked it and no leaks whatsoever. I feel like it'll hold and do the job, but I'm going to go find a shop to and pick up some fuel line from them anyways, since that's apparently what's tried and true.

Thanks guys.

This is a common problem on SDs. Check that stupid pipe every time you clean the bike!

Yup! That's what I've got, Steve. Still using the original replacement and it still looks like the day I put it on!

UPDATE:

After using the yellow Tygon tubing for a few thousand miles the inside of the tube got coated with oil and it turned non-transparent.

Unable to read the oil level anymore I replaced it with the bluish OEM tube.

The Tygon looks great as soon as you install it and for a while. It'll get you out of trouble in the short term, but it was not a permanent solution for my bike. Maybe it works for yours.

Peace,