Oil hose size

Hopefully I'm not over-complicating something that may be simple, but I was wondering what size oil hose is to be used. I am replacing all the plumbing on my 70 Commando and it currently uses 2 sizes, 3'8" ID and 5/16" (running to/from oil filter). There is a larger banjo on the oil tank that runs to the timing case, that seems like the hose should be even larger than 3/8". Should everything be 3/8" or is it a combo of sizes?

My 69 had 5/16" hose I think. You can unsolder the barbs off the banjos and the timing cover block and just use 3/8" throughout. The RGM oil filter I got had the 3/8" line on it. Cheap at the local Ace hardware. Your choice of clamps.

Dave
69S

Uh uh the head hoses are way smaller dia. Aka AN-6 fittings and hose IIRC. If old herring bone hoses are just scrap I'll take em for cheap. If an AAU trash laying around then I'll take out too. Beware that the SS in braided hose don't mean Super Shiny as much as it does Serious Sawing.

The herringbone hose is VEE Expensive if you are after originality, otherwise a good oil cooler hose should suffice. The original herringbone is very long lasting all the same, mine is original stuff, and it is fine.
Cheers Richard

I have 7" sections of PROPER Herringbone oil line for sale but I have never seen longer pieces for sale (and I look!).

Vince

The original herringbone tends to last forever !

Many choices here. 3/8" should work for all, (850.)
Need;
12"
15"
17"
& breather length from top of tank.

Compliments of old Britts:

"Herringbone", 3/8" I/D (part # 06-7054, $156.97 per five foot length).
Chromite, (Non abrasive, non metal, cut with scissors )

Herring bone hose is long life stuff common as dirt. After seeing so so much SS braid just for show I have noticed now just makes me fog over to find my eyes and ahs drawn to less sharp looking fabric braided hose. I'll use SS on brake lines and head feed but not the oil hoses softly routed in my special. Moss Motors and a few others carry it yet. I only assume SS is what is being thought to replace with of course.

I doubt if his 70 had herringbone line, especially if he has the central oil tank. Mine had smooth rubber hose from the factory, 5/16" shorties over the barbed fittings from the oil tank to the timing block. I removed the barbs and used 3/8" throughout. The line from the timed breather was a special hose with a larger diameter at the angle fitting, but a 3/8" will still squeeze over it. OB has that special hose for a special price.

Of course the lines to the head are Nylon 11, cheap as dirt. Inside Diameter: 0.170 In., 11/64 Outside Diameter: 1/4 Wall Thickness: 0.040 In. Unless you want to go with the bling and get SS lines and fittings. Oil flows through all of them the same.

Dave
69S

Well, I thought I would get fancy and try and save some money by stopping by a Parker store here because that had some great looking cloth-braided hose that looked perfect After buying roughly 5 feet for $70, I found that the outer diameter of the hose was just enough to prevent me from attaching them at the oil filter bracket as the two pipes coming off are too close. I realize I could shave down the hose right there where they rub, but that may just be asking for trouble. Thoughts?

Other than that, I purchased some 5/8" rubber power steering hose from the local auoto store for cheap, and also the hydraulic brake line from a truck supply place to replace the rocker feeds. Also super cheap.

Ideally, I'd like the cloth lines for the oil hoses. Also, I had thought I needed stainless rocker feed lines in order to hook up my oil pressure gauge, but I have seen there is some adapter aI can get that screws on to the oil pressure gauge and then the standard plastic line can slip over. Eventually, when my budget allows, I will probably upgrade to SS.

$70 for 5'. Wow. I think I got about 10' of 3/8" oil and gas line at the ace hardware for about $5. But it's plain and black with some writing on it. Who cares, cover it with some plastic circular wrap to protect it. Who wants to look at oil lines?

Dave
69S

I didn't like the look of them on the tranny so i reversed the fitting and ran them under the tranny to the oil tank, and used oil cooler hose.

I went to Napa Auto Parts and bought some hose which has the similar herringbone pattern but it's more subdued.
The stock hose is embossed whereas the Napa type shows the texture of the weave underneath the outer covering.
There are those who want the original hose for bikes that are show bikes and thats what I would do but I just like to ride my bike.
My bike has patina, that bike of Doug's needs to have the good stuff.

DogT said:

$70 for 5'. Wow. I think I got about 10' of 3/8" oil and gas line at the ace hardware for about $5. But it's plain and black with some writing on it. Who cares, cover it with some plastic circular wrap to protect it. Who wants to look at oil lines?

Dave
69S

Click to expand...

Yeah, I got some fancy hose alright—-there went some of my holiday bonus. Live and learn. Right now I'll just use the cheap stuff I got from Kragen and worry about 'upgrading' later.

dougmatson said:

I didn't like the look of them on the tranny so i reversed the fitting and ran them under the tranny to the oil tank, and used oil cooler hose.

Click to expand...

Random question but what rear master cyc do you have in your pic

The m/c is part of the rear brake system you get from Colorado Norton Works. The calipers and rotors are Brembo but the m/c is made by someone for them. If you went to their website and looked at the rear brake system it may say by who.

Do you know if its possible to run that m/c with the stock rear brake line?
And will it give improved braking and feel?

Just something im looking into, I want better braking but i still want to keep the o/e look of the bike.