Pipe dreams!

[berger]

Worty that is neat and i bet you're rate chuffed wit result lad

[Worty]

Rate (as Bergs would say), I have all the plumbing and electrics done.  Oil flow is fine now there's a bit more oil in the tank.

If you look at the pictures, you may notice the small, plastic plunger on the earth wire on the valve.  I was told this needed to be IN for the bike to start, and OUT when the oil's off.  This is bollocks - good job I tested it with the plugs out and checking for sparks.  Turns out it's the opposite way round.  This meant having to undo part of the plumbing, move the switch 90 degrees, then replumb - all is good, no sparks with the oil off.  This unit has two earths, one to the maggie and one to the frame - not sure why the body of the valve has to be earthed though.  The little knurled knob on the maggie that secures the cut out wire is absolutely s*****d, so I had a hunt around.  The first nut I found that was about the right size fitted perfectly, just needed a couple of washers to tighten properly and jobs a good 'un.

Quick question.  It looks like the banjo on the return is still weeping where the big nut is that holds the banjo on.  Will a judicious application of PTFE up to the banjo help fix the issue when the nut is put back on, or should I avoid PTFE in that area (dont' want to risk blocking anything)?

[morris]

Quick question.  It looks like the banjo on the return is still weeping where the big nut is that holds the banjo on.  Will a judicious application of PTFE up to the banjo help fix the issue when the nut is put back on, or should I avoid PTFE in that area (dont' want to risk blocking anything)?

Use Some Loctite blue on the thread. Worked for me alright

[Rex]

PTFE is more than adequate for a good seal.

[Worty]

Would a 1/4" Dowty be suitable, or would it be too thick?

[Worty]

This may be a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway.

If you remove the return side feed and banjo at the tank, will it leak oil out if you have a full tank of oil.  I'm guessing some will leak out from the pipes but, given the return hole in the tank is above the oil level, theoretically no oil should come from the tank.  This would also make sense as one wouldn't want a flow of oil into the return from the tank.  I suppose it could be another way of testing whether the pipe inside the tank is in good condition.

Shoot me down folks.

I'm only asking to see if I need to drain the tank again to seal the leak around the banjo nut.

[chaterlea25]

Hi Worty,
You assumptions are correct
A too thick washer inside the banjo would make the pipe union nut foul the banjo nut and not seal!
Here's a theory 
The banjo locknut can leak along its threads as there is nothing to seal them?
I'm  thinking that's where mine weeps from?
I would worry that ptfe tape could get into the return pipe or rocker feed and cause problems??

When you come up with a. permanent  fix let us know

John

[Worty]

Cheers John

I'm pretty sure a weep from the banjo locknut is responsible for the coating of oil down the r/h silencer and rear footrest!  As you say, no seal on the threads at all.

Given that the bore of the rocker feed is so small, it wouldn't take much to block it with some errant PTFE or sealant (although others have had success with both, as I understand).

There's always a way to fix a problem!  Watch this space for any possible solutions

[Rex]

if someone's made a pipe joint and the PTFE has got inside the pipe then clearly they've done it wrong.
When the nut is screwed on the PTFE will tend to get "pushed" down the thread, ie, further away from the open end.

[Worty]

if someone's made a pipe joint and the PTFE has got inside the pipe then clearly they've done it wrong.
When the nut is screwed on the PTFE will tend to get "pushed" down the thread, ie, further away from the open end.

I see what you mean Rex.  Having thought about it, any PTFE put on where the nut is can't really be forced past the fibre washer and banjo.  In fact, if the PTFE is pushed toward the fibre washer, then it will help forge a seal against the washer as well as the threads.  I'll give it a shot - I'm more confident now that the PTFE won't make its way into the banjo.