• Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )

Oil Cooler Lines

Dark Angel

Still kickin' it!
Has anyone on here used the HEL oil cooler lines kit as a direct replacement for the OEM on an FI Bird? If so, does it replace all of the fittings or just the flexi-pipes?

Pipes_zpsdoecetvd.jpg


I looked at a (packaged) set yesterday and they looked too short to reach from the cooler to the engine.
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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Has anyone on here used the HEL oil cooler lines kit as a direct replacement for the OEM on an FI Bird? If so, does it replace all of the fittings or just the flexi-pipes?

Pipes_zpsdoecetvd.jpg


I looked at a (packaged) set yesterday and they looked too short to reach from the cooler to the engine.
Yes.. In fact I have fitted them on about 20+ bikes !
Direct replacement, but be aware you are expected to use the old O rings.. Which I always did and never once had a problem
I think they may be SLIGHTLY cheaper from Jaws :)
 

Me!

Utterly retired
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Yep I used the old O ring yes I know I shouldn’t but needs must at that moment in time. Never leaked at all. I think the bolts are a very low torque too.
 

DEG5Y

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
Did mine a couple of seasons back.
The only thing I did that I hadn't seen mentioned was enlarge the hole in the plastics that they pass through.
ps. mine leaked (plumes of smoke coming up through the fairing as it dripped onto the exhaust.) but it was only because I was wary of over tightening them.
 

Beardybiker

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
My oil cooler lines on carbed bird are corroded looks like chrome? peeling off all over them.
How big a job is fitting the Hel lines
Also the Hel kit looks like the lines are coiled up wheteas the oem are rigid?
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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My oil cooler lines on carbed bird are corroded looks like chrome? peeling off all over them.
How big a job is fitting the Hel lines
Also the Hel kit looks like the lines are coiled up wheteas the oem are rigid?

Yes, the replacement ones are stainless steel flexys

They are not that hard to replace, just soak the bolts in penetrating fluid ( not WD40 but proper stuff ) a few times over about a week
 

Beardybiker

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
Cheers , might be overreacting though as they look really naff but no signs of any leaks could be surface corrosion only - have any been known to rust right through?
 

Me!

Utterly retired
Club Sponsor
Yes indeed and they’re quite happy to dump their contents all over the rear tyre.
 

Beardybiker

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
Yes, the replacement ones are stainless steel flexys

They are not that hard to replace, just soak the bolts in penetrating fluid ( not WD40 but proper stuff ) a few times over about a week
Any recommended brand of penetrating fluid please?...
 

Beardybiker

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
Yes.. In fact I have fitted them on about 20+ bikes !
Direct replacement, but be aware you are expected to use the old O rings.. Which I always did and never once had a problem
I think they may be SLIGHTLY cheaper from Jaws :)
While I'm at it I will try and get new o rings- is there any particular type for high temperature oil at all cheers
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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While I'm at it I will try and get new o rings- is there any particular type for high temperature oil at all cheers
No mate.. they do not get that hot any way..
I would be stunned if the old o rings were not perfectly usable though..
I do not think I have ever replaced any ... They are not under any strain at all nor do the parts they seal move :)
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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Any recommended brand of penetrating fluid please?...
No, fraid I cannot help with that.
When I was a fork truck fitter WAYYYYYYY back I was given a 1/2 litre can of something.... 40 years on and it has not run out...And it is in a plain red tin with a nozzle on it. No names or info at all
 

Beardybiker

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
No worries will give a go and use heat if needed...just not sure if bolt snaps would it be split crankcase job?
 

Beardybiker

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
Just read several threads about night mare jobs with bolts snapping and drilling out unsuccessful suggesting spark erosion etc...
Maybe best I treat the rust and keep an eye on this:confused:
Ordered the lines anyhow so have them in case of leakage
 

andyBeaker

Moderator
Staff member
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Just read several threads about night mare jobs with bolts snapping and drilling out unsuccessful suggesting spark erosion etc...
Maybe best I treat the rust and keep an eye on this:confused:
Ordered the lines anyhow so have them in case of leakage
If it ain't bust........

My two Birds had the thick end of 200,000 miles of all weather riding on them and never had an oil pipe let go.

I always thought that bikes being used is the best preventative maintenance against this sort of stuff as moisture evaporates when the engine heats up. Just a theory.
 

Beardybiker

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
Ok bad fxxxin start to even examine closer
LH lower fairing bolt seized and starting to round off on allen key
Have soaked in wd40 and given some sharp taps
Still wont move
Will leave to soak
Rhs fairing came off a treat to do cct:cursing2:
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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Just read several threads about night mare jobs with bolts snapping and drilling out unsuccessful suggesting spark erosion etc...
Maybe best I treat the rust and keep an eye on this:confused:
Ordered the lines anyhow so have them in case of leakage
I guess over the years I have drilled out 46 or so snapped bolts
I always take a grinder to any bit of bolt sticking out, ensuring a nice flat surface to start with but still leaving a tiny bit of bolt showing proud of the surface
I made a centre punch that , apart from the very tip is dead straight and fits inside a 6mm nut
Put the nut on the tiny bit of thread , slide the punch in, and hey presto , centre dot right in the middle
The boo-lts are nowt special and drill out readily.
I did have to sort one out that was messed up. I just drilled and tapped it to 8mm
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
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Ok bad fxxxin start to even examine closer
LH lower fairing bolt seized and starting to round off on allen key
Have soaked in wd40 and given some sharp taps
Still wont move
Will leave to soak
Rhs fairing came off a treat to do cct:cursing2:
I use a star drive bit.. bang it in and heave.. chances are it will come out but if not, get that drill out again LOL!!
 
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