What type tubing for oil lines?

[someozybloke]

Have used dAir-Con copper pipe when creating custom oil and fuel lines they generally come in a good selection of sizes.

Go talk to a refrigerator or air-conditioning repair workshop.

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Eric, Harley did use copper oil lines up until around 1940. They were flat nickel plated with no steps on the nuts. The modern repros are cadmium plated steel with stepped nuts, thus giving our judges plenty of scope for deductions.

[larrymgibson]

Well, the oil lines are fabricated and installed. (photo coming soon) I'm ready to put in some oil and kick it over to see if I have oil flow. Any suggestions and should I still use SAE 50W non-detergent or are modern oils a better idea?
Thanks.
Larry Gibson

[Skirted]

Many I know including me run straight 50wt in their Indians when riding in temp range of say 50-85 deg F. Some like to run a 20-50 multi-viscosity. Do not seek out non-detergent.
If routinely riding in hot climate above 85deg I'd go to a 60wt.
Try to find an oil specially formulated for old engines such as http://www.ebay.com/itm/PennGrade-1-...IAAOSwjvJZOZzN
There are many other suitable brands.

For the primary and trans (assuming they are still common to each other on your bike) many like the HD Sportser Primary/Trans oil which is designed for the transmission and wet clutches. Some just run a straight 30wt.

[Chuck#1848]

Rigid tubing is much easier to avoid obstacles with then rubber or stainless which do not hold a shape. 3/8" automotive brake line works well for fabrication and comes in assorted lengths, and is also available in different diameters. Small commercial tubing benders work quit well with patience and pre-planning.

Robbie, That's what I used on my 741 Indian Bobber

[mark59]

i have been using cunifer brake lines for many years, a nickle copper alloy tubing, easily bendable and used on many high end autos. i would think larger diameters would be available.

[larrymgibson]

I finally got my Indian running. I looked in the tank with a borescope and confirmed the oil was being returned. Here is a photo of the copper lines. It seems to miss everything and flows oil.IMG_4210.jpg

[tomfiii]

An intermediate support should be added if you haven't already done so.

[Green Indian]

Larry,
I've never seen a Chief oil tank and line run in that manner, was the bike always like that? Are there issues with the oil tank/gas tank leaking that required the re-routing of the tank and lines?

[RichO]

I would caution against using modern compression fitting with copper lines (not the same as soldered on ferrules) as they compression the line and make a fracture line that will deepen from vibration and cause failure. I sometimes put a loop in them to give the line a place to flex and cancel out vibration. Just sayin'.