Eric S Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I scoured every thread I could that contained information about building a manometer. I think I got lucky, because what I ended up with worked great. I used ATF fluid and picked up some nylon tubing from Menards. It was spec'd at 1/4" OD and 0.17" ID. The tubing fit perfectly on the nubbin thing on my 98 R1100RT with no adapter needed. This is not the clear vinyl tubing, but the white translucent stuff. You'd probably find this exact tubing at any home improvement store. Hope this info helps someone trying to do the same. Link to comment
DrPaul Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Eric, I used exactly the same components with excellent results. Total cost of materials was less than $2.00 (US). Link to comment
David R Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Built one last night. I bought extra long hose. It was a mistake, one layed on the exhaust and melted. I cut em shorter. It does work well. I too used ATF. David Link to comment
Eric S Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 I didn't take a pic of mine, but it looks pretty much like the one shown here. Except using ATF fluid instead of water. I just propped mine up against the bike as vertical as possible while I did it. http://www.obairlann.net/reaper/motorcycle/manometer.html Link to comment
NonComp Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Here's mine. One piece tube with 2-stroke oil. Link to comment
David R Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I drilled 2 holes through the board top and bottom. I laced the hosed through the holes. 2 in the bottom like a shoe lace and two in the top for an exit. Be sure to hook the right hose to the right intake...... Mine looks like the one above except not as neat. ATF doesn't bounce around as much and water and is much easier to see. David Link to comment
Linz Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Sorry If I appear dim but... The size of the clear tubing required to fit my Aussie model of my R1150RT presents two problems. 1. I can't find tubing that small. 2. How would you get the liquid into such tiny tubing? I'd have built a manometer *long* before now if I could figure that out. And, before I lose my mind completely, what's ATF fluid? At the moment (here) it's WTF fluid... Linz Link to comment
tomk99r11 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 ATF is automatic transmission fluid. Link to comment
pmfranke Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 eggsellant ,just what i needed a pic worth a thousand words !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tHANKS LOADS. pETER Link to comment
Eric S Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 To get the trans fluid into the tubing, stick one end of the tube in the bottle of transmission fluid, then SUCK (on the other end of course). I was hoping someone didn't come into the garage while I was doing that. Link to comment
NonComp Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 My tubing is about 1/4" outside diameter, and about 1/8" (probably a bit smaller) inside diameter. It stretches over the nipple (insert your joke here). You can find such tubing at an aquarium supply/fish/pet shop. It's used as air tubing on aquariums. I used a tiny funnel to get the oil in, that came with a model steam engine that I've had since I was about 10 years old. Any small funnel and some duct tape will probably do. In my case, because I used 2-stroke oil, I had to hang the hose and let it drain overnight to get it all down where it should be. Link to comment
ltljohn Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Sorry If I appear dim but... The size of the clear tubing required to fit my Aussie model of my R1150RT presents two problems. 1. I can't find tubing that small. 2. How would you get the liquid into such tiny tubing? I'd have built a manometer *long* before now if I could figure that out. And, before I lose my mind completely, what's ATF fluid? At the moment (here) it's WTF fluid... Linz What size is the vac port on you throttle body? Maybe one of us can find some for you. When I built mine I used the small tubing to go from the TB to the board and on the board I used tubing with an inside diameter the same as the outside diameter of the small tube. This makes it easier to put ATF in it it also adds volume to dampen the oscillations. You just need to make sure you keep the tubing lengths the same. Link to comment
Linz Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 In my TwinMax kit, I was supplied with two 1" long pieces of clear tubing. I have to fit that over the vac ports and then slip the black TwinMax tubing over those for a snug fit. I guess the internal measurement of the clear tubing would be around an 1/8th. I'd need to measure it. The fish-tank tubing here in common use would be too large. The Australian model doesn't have the charcoal canister so I'm thinking that we have very tiny vacumn ports. Thanks for the responses. Linz Link to comment
NonComp Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Canadian models don't have the canister either, so my ports are probably the same as yours. Hardware stores up here stock clear tubing in a variety of sizes. It's usually in the plumbing section. It's sometimes used for water supply line for ice makers in refrigerators. Link to comment
tazplas Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Hey Linz Try these guys http://www.purplepig.com.au/ I got heaps of tubing from them to make mine. I will take a photo later when i get home and post back here. Cheers Steve Link to comment
tazplas Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Put some photos on photobucket and here they are. Hope they help. Fluid is ATF. Tubing could be a bit small however as very slow movement was detected. BTW, the length of tubing on each side is about 5 metres.The lines are 1" apart. Cheers Steve Link to comment
tazplas Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Forgot to mention that i filled the tubing using a syringe. Pumped in at one end and then used the syringe to push air and ATF to the final destination. Cheers Steve Link to comment
Linz Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Steve, the OD looks to be about 4mm. So, after you'd made it and done a TB balance, was it much better this way? You mention that the fluid was slow moving. I imagine that's when you were adjusting the BBS? So there's a lag? Do you have a brand and exact size for the tubing please? I'll order some tomorrow if I know exactly what the right stuff is. Thanks for the pix. Linz Link to comment
NonComp Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 It's the inside diameter that matters. I've seen 1/4" tube that has a thinner wall and won't work on our nipples (again, insert your joke here). Link to comment
tazplas Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I will have a look later today or if i am passing Purple Pig i will get details. BTW, i had to heat the end of the tubing to soften it so it would fit on the nipples. There was a slight lag when adjusting but the fluid moved nicely, not jumping all over the place. It has been suggested(on another thread) that the tubing should be slightly larger so it would show more movement and and less dampening effect. I will find and post back. Edit - Found it http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=465786&page=1 Cheers Steve Link to comment
ozbmw Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Linz I also used 3/16 clear tubing from my local hardware shop (both bunnings and clark rubber stock it - pick the cheapest stuff cos it doesnt matter) need at least 5 metres. I found that the internal diameter was to big but that the black rubber irrigation drip line ~4mm (from any garden place) fits inside the clear tube nice and snug (went in about 5cm) and fits over the nipple nice and tight - so I cut off about two lengths of 10cm from the garden and used it in the end of the clear tube. Works a treat. Actually acts as a sort of resistor and makes the balancing easier - not as big/quick variations. I used some left over red oil/additive - it doesnt seem to matter what you use as long as its a bit heavier than water - nice colour so you can see it easy - and is not toxic to humans or bike. Link to comment
duketr4 Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Linz You mention you have a TwinMax....are you wanting to double up or cross check ? I also have a twinMax but I am rather fascinated by the tube/ATF method, it's affordable to have a go. The pic's are fantastic. Link to comment
Linz Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Yes, I have a TwinMax but I feel that the manometer would be a good cross check, and possibly more accurate. I enjoy working on my bikes when required but hate the tupperware removal and installation. I want to get it perfect when I make the effort to service the bike as I don't enjoy doing stuff twice. An incorrectly installed spark plug donut which hurled oil everywhere on a test ride made me wary of not getting it right the first time. This weekend is manometer weekend as the forecast is for wet weather. Cheers, Linz Link to comment
tazplas Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Hi People Here's one more descriptive pic for you Cheers Steve Link to comment
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