Oil Pipes - 1954 VH

[bruno.crossley]

‘Evening chaps. I’m currently trying to recommission a recently aquired 1954 VH and would appreciate some guidance. Among other things, I’d like to replace the lashed-up oil pipes.

I’ve bought new feed and return pipes but they don’t line up very well with the unthreaded pipes from the oil tank.
Should both feed and return stubs from the tank be parallel? The return one points upward.

If they are supposed to be parallel, what’s the best way of bending the return without damaging the joint to the tank?
I’m also wondering what route the rocker feed pipe should take between the oil tank rubber tee-piece and the gap between the rocker boxes. Does it go beneath the magneto mounting platform?
Does it then run up the back of the barrel to the left of the carb? Is the hard-line rocker feed pipe supported anywhere other that at each end?
Thanks, Mark

[dennis.t]

I had the same problem with the pipes not lining up but the tank pipes were not so badly out of line as yours so I was able to bend the pipes from the engine to create a smoother path. I bent the engine pipes off the engine in a vice with soft jaws. I think if you bend them in-situ you may get kinks. I have not tried bending the oil tank pipes but you may get away with it using a tight fitting box spanner over the pipe to give you leverage. Others may have better suggestions.
Dennis

[dennis.t]

Regarding the rocker feed, I can't see the 'T' piece on the inside oil tank pipe in your photo. On my '55 VH the rocker feed comes off that 'T' piece and the rubber pipe follows the line of the frame over and above the carb to the metal rocker feed pipes. If you have that arrangement, the rocker feed is on the return oil feed from the engine. On my engine the metal rocker feed pipes are unsupported but the banjos are large and sturdy and easily support the pipework.
Dennis

[dennis.t]

Just spotted the rocker feed oil pipes in your upside down photo! Mine are the classic T arrangement that suits the rubber pipe following the frame. I now see that your pipe follows the line of the cylinder so your take off point from the oil tank will be different from mine. The rocker feed rubber pipe is small bore and flexible so I suppose any route that works should be fine.
Dennis

[JohnnyBeckett]

hi would tweak the oil tank pipes a bit i think the oil tank may have been dropped if the tank has been of the bike

[simon.holyfield]

hi would tweak the oil tank pipes a bit i think the oil tank may have been dropped if the tank has been of the bike

Me too. I'm pretty certain they are brazed in.

[Chris Sealy]

I would push a Philips type screwdriver into the pipe and push downwards; as far as your nerves will allow. By the way, it looks like your new pipes could do with internal de-burring
Cheers, Chris.

[bruno.crossley]

Thanks everyone for the input. I’ve heated the oil tank return pipe with a small blow torch and used a deep socket to get enough leverage to straighten it up.

The tee-piece is on its way from Draganfly and the up-and-over direction looks good for the rocker feed. I’ll solder up a new rock banjo set-up using a spare NH one, for the fittings.
Thanks again. Mk