oil lines

[creative creations]

I want to make oil lines out of 1/4 inch copper i know usually they are 3/8 but all fittings are necked down to 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch pipe thread . copper is less pourous than rubber line so it should flow better ? i know its all about volume not psi but why shouldnt this work any info would be great thanks Rob

[john HD]

why copper?

john

[RADICAL RIDES]

copper looks good and old school looking

[dagored]

I would think twice before I reduced the feed line that far. 3/8 o.d. copp[er is readily available.
JKE

[FlatHeadSix]

Solid copper will "work harden", crystalize and crack at the stress points a lot faster than steel in the same application. If you have constant heat ups and cool downs, vibration, and less than perfect alignment at the fittings the copper will fail.

I agree that it looks pretty when its all shined up but I wouldn't put it on a bike that I intended to ride very much.

mike

[dagored]

Indian used copper for it's oil lines for many years. I believe thatI would use the soft stuff. K ?
JKE

[fourthgear]

Why not have your steel lines copper plated or electro plated . They have some cool powder coats in copper color, but not sure how they would hold up. As said above copper metal lines ,even soft, will deteriorate very rapidly with vibration.

[dagored]

I have used soft copper for the equalizer line between tanks on my Knucklehead for the past thirty years without having a leak.
JKE

[108]

I ran all polished 3/8 copper oil lines for 18 years. No cracks. Just make sure they dont vibrate at high speed. I took them off 3 years ago to custom shape new chrome ones from sink water tubes(pics in the Garage) 3K miles so far .All those years people kept saying "that wont work"!

[jarhead]

Here is a pic of my bike just before completion. Just fired up yesterday. No leaks yet . Crossing my fingers

[Fixman]

Fantastic! Congratulations on a great project. That rear fender support is a thing of beauty.

Kent

[fourthgear]

I don't think any one said you could not use copper lines , some of us just don't think ( from experience ) its worth the risk. I work with copper lines every day and yes repair or replace them on a regular basis ( damage from vibration , is right up there for causes for repair). If that's what you want to use , go for it , they do have an appeal to me when highly polished , like bling ( chrome ), I like it too.

[wreck744]

if you loop the soft copper the loop will take up most of the vibration. where as a straight shot, say from the engine to a tight mounted oil bag would'nt have any give and would have to give some where.