Front oil pipe

[bonoeuf]

The front engine oil pipe like so many other is in very bad condition. I called into a hydraulics company and they have PTFE oil pipe with stainless braiding and can make it up to whatever length you wish complete with stainless banjos. It will operate up to 250C. I am going to get a length 22 inches long and run it in a half square parallel to the rad at top and bottom. It will be outside of the exhaust pipes so temp wise it should be ok (fingers crossed). Any comments from engineering types?

[Deefer666]

I did consider that solution myself but never did anything about it cos I could rob a pipe off of one of the spare engines. I know Christo is looking for a solution for his

[Fazerider]

Sounds like a good idea, how much are they asking?

[ChristoT]

Mine now fits (sort of), but I like your PTFE solution.

Considerations: heat from the block melting your pipe at the top (including radiated from the downpipes).

Have you considered oil temperature?

Not sure about the routing, can they not copy the stock shape?

TBH, heat will be your main enemy. The consequences of failure don't really bear thinking about.

I'd have thought stainless pipe shaped correctly would be a safer bet!

[bonoeuf]

cost of pipe about £20.00. They cannot make a steel one, so from them this is the only option. The routing is because the sleeves after the banjos are two long to run the original route. I can't see the oil temp being a factor but not sure what the block temp is. The top of the headers are not to close and I can add some heat shielding to help. It seems such a shame to bin a bike because on one little bit of pipe.

[ChristoT]

cost of pipe about £20.00. They cannot make a steel one, so from them this is the only option. The routing is because the sleeves after the banjos are two long to run the original route. I can't see the oil temp being a factor but not sure what the block temp is. The top of the headers are not to close and I can add some heat shielding to help. It seems such a shame to bin a bike because on one little bit of pipe.

Oh, I don't for a second suggest you bin the bike! My concern is that if the pipe melts, then you end up with a major oil leak right in front of the back tyre. At best, engine damage due to oil starvation, at worst... doesn't bear thinking about.

The block temp shouldn't be far off the header temp - after all, it's right next to the piston, between cylinders 2 & 3. Can they not check it before unleashing the PTFE?

As for the pipe, I have bent pipe at work by capping one end, filling the pipe with sand, capping the other end, then bending. The sand maintains the pipe's volume, so (in theory at least) the metal doesn't crease. Admittedly, this was quite thin aluminium I was bending, but the principle is the same!

[bonoeuf]

It was me that suggested binning the bike if no solution, but a solution found. I clocked one on ebay for 15 quid +PP. It arrived and was in not bad condition, a wire wooing and well sprayed with very high temp engine paint and job done. But just in case I also bought one from the USA in very good condition. I will give it the clean and spray treatment and keep it as a spare. The bike has done 23000 miles but left out all weathers so a lot of rusty bits to clean and paint. I only gave 500 for it so don't mind spending a couple of hundred on it. It will get done roughly though, it is just a work bike so no need for perfection. Happy days for now.

[70s kid]

I'd like a stainless one to match the original. Would look great "Highly polished"
 : 70s kid (Paul)