Oil line

Status
Not open for further replies.

YING

Pittsboro,NC
VIP MEMBER
Joined
Aug 12, 2011
Messages
1,013
Country flag
Any suggestions on where I can get 3/8 id.herringbone oil line?All vendors that carry it say that it is out of stock and don’t know when they will have some.
Thanks,
Mike
 
I got a five foot length of Herringbone hose but it was quite a few years ago now from Groves Classics in the UK.
It was very good quality but is a heaver wall so bigger OD than period hose, maybe they still have some.

It seems odd in this modern world that many things possible half a century ago are not possible now including that hose.
 
I got a five foot length of Herringbone hose but it was quite a few years ago now from Groves Classics in the UK.

Add to basket = "Sorry, this item is currently out of stock."

3/8" X 3' and 4'
3 currently in stock.
 
The 5 foot length had doubled in price, an old post says I payed AU$76 + post at the time. (No VAT)
It was the one where the packet was not closed/ sealed and made it all the way to Australia with the end open.

It is good uniform quality and pattern finish but not as nice or the same as the original hose.
 
Trouble is with Herringbone is even using the same machine with the same tooling the current batches look not a lot like the original. The knowledge of how to operate the machine has been lost and it ends up with a different pattern with distorted knobs over the pattern. I buy black cotton weave covered pipe instead, at 2ft it looks more like the original than the current herringbone.
 
I buy black cotton weave covered pipe instead, at 2ft it looks more like the original than the current herringbone.

Although I could be wrong, for some time I've had an idea that the Herringbone pattern could perhaps have been intended to imitate the (maybe more expensive then?) cotton weave. If not then why go to the trouble?
 
Although I could be wrong, for some time I've had an idea that the Herringbone pattern could perhaps have been intended to imitate the (maybe more expensive then?) cotton weave. If not then why go to the trouble?
I agree, it was a Dunlop made product and they probably decided a 100% rubber product would be more accepted as a replacement for cloth covered tube if it looked cloth covered.
 
If you can find it, I've been using Parker Superflex oil lines, I get it from a local aviation shop. It's a tad more flexible, but still retains its dimensionality quite well under heat and pressure.
 
Any suggestions on where I can get 3/8 id.herringbone oil line?All vendors that carry it say that it is out of stock and don’t know when they will have some.
Thanks,
Mike
I don't believe you'll find a march for the original herrinbone lines. It lasted way too long and once the industry shutdown, there was not a big demand. I've looked for many years to find something that worked as well. This is what I'm currently using: Amazon product ASIN B000CRBQAE
It checks all the boxes for me. Right size, meant for hot oil, easy to route without kinking, and approx. same OD as original herringbone hoses.
 
Add to basket = "Sorry, this item is currently out of stock."

3/8" X 3' and 4'
3 currently in stock.
Thanks LAB,
Have some ordered now from CBS here in the states. I am spending the kids lunch money again!
 
Thanks LAB,
Have some ordered now from CBS here in the states. I am spending the kids lunch money again!

Add to basket = "Sorry, this item is currently out of stock."

3/8" X 3' and 4'
3 currently in stock.
IMHO those are closer than most but a long way from looking like the originals. For one thing, they should have one or two pale colored lines running lengthwise and they should be rougher. I understand paying what it takes for perfection if you're doing a true restore; but to me, neither of those will do it. I have a little original Triumph (5/16" ID) Herringbone - don't think I have any original 3/8".
 
Greg,
I just like the looks of the herringbone line along with the original clamps.My m/c is far away from stock!
 
Greg,
I just like the looks of the herringbone line along with the original clamps.My m/c is far away from stock!
I understand the desire - just can't find anything like the original hose. BTW, what some sell as "herringbone clamps" are actually modern fuel injection clamps. One well-known place wants $5.95 each - they ae about $1 each at Amazon and most auto parts stores have them for around $2 each. They look nothing like the original simple clamps but are superior to them and to standard hose clamps - IMHO.

For a line that looks similar from 5 feet away, consider this: Amazon product ASIN B089S88HKP
Finally, if you find used original lines, you'll be surprised what dish soap, hot water, and a bristle brush can do to return them to nearly the original color. It's amazing that 50+ year old original oil lines can still be flexible and look good!
 
I understand the desire - just can't find anything like the original hose. BTW, what some sell as "herringbone clamps" are actually modern fuel injection clamps. One well-known place wants $5.95 each - they ae about $1 each at Amazon and most auto parts stores have them for around $2 each. They look nothing like the original simple clamps but are superior to them and to standard hose clamps - IMHO.

For a line that looks similar from 5 feet away, consider this: Amazon product ASIN B089S88HKP
Finally, if you find used original lines, you'll be surprised what dish soap, hot water, and a bristle brush can do to return them to nearly the original color. It's amazing that 50+ year old original oil lines can still be flexible and look good!
And function also. I cleaned the Titanic's herringbones and re-used them. There must be something to the quality and longevity assessment of originals. With only 4000+ miles of heat cycling, I figured as long as they weren't dried, stiff and cracked, they were good to go.
 
Walridge is selling herringbone oil hose in their annual sales flyer. The ad calls it herringbone "style" and the photo doesn't show a lot of herringbone detail. I don't know how close it is to the original.
 
Last edited:
British Cycle Supply sent me a flyer yesterday offering the herringbone line in 3 IDs. They said in their description that the detail wasn't as well defined as the original, but, to me, hard to tell the difference; not inexpensive, but available.

I use the ATF hose as suggested by Greg Marsh, you can remove the lettering with a number of solvents.

Best.
 
snipped

For a line that looks similar from 5 feet away, consider this: Amazon product ASIN B089S88HKP
Finally, if you find used original lines, you'll be surprised what dish soap, hot water, and a bristle brush can do to return them to nearly the original color. It's amazing that 50+ year old original oil lines can still be flexible and look good!
Greg,
Your web link doesn't work for me. Can you update it or tell us what you use as a search parameter?
 
You can see the finer detail (and smoother/lower surface texture) of the OEM fit hose.
Four minutes I will never get back.

pipe.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top